The Truth About Retirement

9 Ways to Live Now Like You’re?Retired

Did you know that the concept of retirement as we know it is over? The last wave of Baby Boomers has almost troughed. I’m among the last of that wave of people born between 1946 and 1964.

But what you’re about to learn is my direct experience building a retirement planning business I eventually sold. And the way I discovered what retirement means and how to live yours now by changing your mindset and habits.

By the end of this article, you will see one of the best ways to eliminate the traditional stress associated with being unable to retire.

Retiring Others, Retiring?Myself

Everything I’m writing about, teaching, and coaching I learned over the last forty years working as a manual laborer, a sales executive, and then building my small businesses at the same time my wife and I raised our two amazing sons. In other words, everything you’re about to read, I lived.

From 1991 to 2002, I built a business as a retirement planner and registered investment advisor. I helped busy professionals, executives, and their families with financial and investment strategies, including IRAs, 401Ks, and insurance policies. My goal was to secure their future and peace of mind.

However, a revelation changed my perspective. After years in the business, I noticed a trend: retirees were coming back to “unretire.” They were either bored post-travel or seeking new ventures, contradicting the traditional retirement narrative. This experience taught me that retirement, as commonly perceived, is overrated.

Defining Retirement

I define retirement differently: it’s about knowing yourself, doing what you want, when you want, and living your dream life now. This contrasts with the conventional definition, often about ceasing to work at a certain age.

My journey of living and working as if I were “retired” started when I was 30. I left the safety of my salary and benefits and started to build a book of business, clients who paid me fees that I could call my own. Every day was exciting, and since I discovered how to do work I love, I do not need to “retire” in a traditional sense.

Redefining retirement is such a joyful, liberating feeling that I love writing about it, teaching people how to achieve the same thing, and coaching.

A Brief History of Retirement

Retirement as a structured phase of life has roots in the societal and economic changes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before this era, the concept of retirement as we know it today was virtually nonexistent.

In pre-industrial societies, work was primarily based on agriculture and craftsmanship, and it was common for people to continue working as long as they physically could. There were no formal retirement plans or pensions; older individuals often depended on their families or communities for support in their later years.

The transformation brought about by the Industrial Revolution played a crucial role in the emergence of retirement. As industrialization spread, it created a shift from agrarian work to factory-based jobs, which were often physically demanding and not suitable for older workers. This led to the realization that there needed to be a system to support individuals who could no longer work due to age.

One of the earliest formal retirement systems can be traced back to Germany in the 1880s under Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. The German government introduced a social insurance program that supported elderly workers who had reached the age of 70, later lowered to 65. This program is often cited as the first instance of a state-sponsored retirement plan.

In the United States, retirement became more widespread during the early 20th century. The introduction of Social Security in 1935 as part of the New Deal was a landmark moment, providing financial security to millions of older Americans and establishing the age of 65 as a standard retirement age.

The post-World War II period saw a significant expansion in employer-sponsored pension plans, further entrenching the concept of retirement in American society. These developments reflected a growing consensus that older individuals deserved rest and leisure after a lifetime of work and that it was beneficial for the economy to make room for younger workers.

Today, retirement is widely recognized as a distinct phase of life, often associated with leisure and pursuing personal interests. However, as the search results indicate, the reality of retirement is evolving. Many retirees choose to “unretire” for various reasons, including financial needs, a desire for social engagement, and personal fulfillment. This shift challenges traditional notions of retirement and suggests that it is an ever-evolving concept, adapting to each generation’s changing economic, social, and personal needs.

Nine Ways to Live Like You’re Retired?Now

Living a fulfilling life doesn’t have to start at retirement; it can begin now. The concept of “retiring” often conjures images of leisure, travel, and pursuing long-held passions. However, you don’t have to wait until your golden years to start experiencing this kind of joy and satisfaction.

We already see millions of young people with a new mindset towards retirement. Instead of repeating the mistakes of prior generations, they’re choosing to develop marketable skills, relationships, and interests at a young age, empowering them to live the life of their dreams regardless of how much money they make, have in the bank, crypto, or the stock market.

Adopting certain principles and practices in your daily life allows you to emulate the best aspects of retirement, regardless of your age or career stage. Anyone can learn these principles, given the burning desire.

Here are nine transformative ways to live like you’re already retired, bringing happiness and fulfillment into your present life. One of the keys to making this work is following these steps; you will find ways to earn money if needed.?

For the most part, doing work you can enjoy your entire life like I’m doing by writing articles, coaching, freelancing, and investing is the key to living as if you’re retired now because work doesn’t feel like work. You will find your way as long as you’re willing to search inside yourself.

1. Know thyself. Keep discovering what excites and motivates you. Pursue hobbies or activities that make you feel alive. Follow your heart, and tend to your wallet.
2. Prioritize health. With good health, enjoying retirement is easier. Focus on a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental wellness. The alternative is miserable.
3. Cultivate relationships. Invest time in family, friends, and community. Strong relationships are critical to a fulfilling life. You have to make the effort.
4. Always be learning. Keep your mind active by learning new skills or pursuing education. Learning things that fire you up is always an excellent investment.
5. Be a good steward. Manage your finances wisely. It’s not about how much you earn but how you save and invest. Take the pressure off yourself and live within your means doing work or things you love.
6. Explore, travel, and be curious. Explore new places, but balance it with other aspects of life to avoid burnout. You don’t have to travel around the world to be curious, explore where you can, and love it.
7. Volunteer, give back. Engage in community service or philanthropy. It provides purpose and fulfillment. The secret of living could be giving.
8. Be flexible and open-minded. Be open to changes and adapt to new opportunities or interests. Trust your heart and the universe to guide you.
9. Keep it simpler. Avoid the rush of life. Slow down and enjoy each moment. Keeping up with the Joneses is exhausting and expensive. Simplify!

Go For It?Now

Instead of waiting for retirement, shift your mindset now. Start incorporating these elements of retirement into your life today. By doing so, you’re not just preparing for a distant future but actively creating a fulfilling present.

Retirement need not be the end goal. You can continue living a life you love. By redefining retirement and integrating its principles into your daily life, you embrace a journey of continuous growth, happiness, and fulfillment.

When you adopt my suggested mindset, you eliminate the typical stress associated with traditional retirement. May you find it now.

Thanks for reading my article originally published at Medium. I serve busy professionals and executives as a trusted freelance creative strategist, ghostwriter, sales copywriter, and communications coach. Transform creative process, messaging, pitches, conversions, and cash flow. Learn more at www.CliffordJones.com, or subscribe to The Clarity Letter on Substack.