I define retirement planning into two parts; the second part is about post-retirement planning. This is the stage of my life after retiring. How can I spend my time, what hobbies can I do, how can I connect with people, what exercises are safe, and do these activities require extra money? If so, I need to include these extra costs in my pre-retirement planning, as well as in my budget and retirement fund. I’m currently at the stage of pre-retirement planning, where I am still earning active income and need to prepare for my future retirement.
In this article and related post to it, I will try to address some of the items that I need to have a proper plan. The questions pop up in my mind like – how do I want to live my life after retirement? Will it require extra funds, and if so, where will they come from? I had practical concerns about staying fit and healthy, choosing the right foods, and doing exercises to keep my mind sharp. The most important thing was the need to connect with other people even though I am an introvert. I wondered how I could feel like I belonged and had a purpose in this new phase of my life.
Future Income
To achieve financial freedom, I needed to understand my expenses and income better. I asked myself.
Will my retirement fund/savings be enough to support the lifestyle I want? If not, what can I do to get some active income at this age?
Are there any additional sources of income I can tap into? I need to think harder, don’t wish to get into the position of not enough money during retirement.
By answering these questions, I created a budget that will let me enjoy my retirement without financial stress.
Staying Fit and Healthy
To ensure a happy and fulfilling post-retirement journey, it’s crucial to prioritize our physical health. As we age, our bodies undergo natural changes that can affect our overall well-being. With some effort and dedication, we can keep our health and fitness, so we can enjoy this new chapter of life to the fullest.
Promoting optimal health through Gut Health, Hormonal Health, and Inflammation management, as well as Exercise and Physical Activity.
Gut Health, Hormonal Health, and Inflammation Management
Recently I bought an online live recording of The Three Pillars of Health by Natalie Loo. I will need to learn more about it as part of my journey to better health. I don’t wish to burden anyone when age catch up.
Gut Health: To understand what gut health is all about, the concerns that arise due to poor gut health.
Hormonol Health: To understand what hormones and the concerns that arise from poor Hormonol health.
Inflammation: To understand more on inflammation and immunity, to prevent chronic inflammation.
Whole Foods: How using whole foods to improve overall health.
Exercise and Physical Activity
On top of a healthy diet, regular exercise is crucial for maintaining physical function and mobility. Some people have added activities such as brisk walking, swimming, and yoga to their daily routine. These activities have helped them improve flexibility, balance, and strength. What suited me?
The key is to find exercises that I enjoy and can stick to in the long term. It’s not about pushing myself too hard or trying to achieve unrealistic fitness goals. Rather, it’s about making physical activity a sustainable and enjoyable part of my daily routine.
Connecting with People
Unlike the structured days of our working lives, retirement can sometimes feel isolating and lonely. Plus my introversion personality, I have been wondering will I be alright without much human interaction. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Introverts also have close friends. At this stage of life and as long as we have sufficient retirement fund, we will have plenty of time to connect with friends and families.
Building and Maintaining Relationships
On the surface, building relationships may seem like a no-brainer, but it requires effort and intention. I’ve learned that scheduling regular teh tarik dates or walks with friends and family helps keep connections strong. It’s also important to make new connections, whether through hobbies, volunteering, or classes, to expand my social circle.
Giving Back to the Community
For many retirees, giving back to the community becomes a vital part of their post-work life. It not only provides a sense of purpose but also helps combat feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Could this be one of the reason that I see many elderly volunteering at charity organization like Tzu Chi, and etc? My late mum used to volunteer herself at Tzu Chi. To her, it is a good things to do.
In fact, I feel that volunteering at local organizations or participating in neighborhood initiatives helps us stay engaged and connected with others who share similar passions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet like-minded individuals and build meaningful relationships. According to a study, retirees who volunteer regularly experience higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
Pursuing Hobbies and Interests
Once again, I find myself with the luxury of time to focus on the things that bring me joy. Retirement is the perfect opportunity to revisit old passions, explore new ones, and cultivate a sense of purpose. Hopefully at that time, my hand is strong enough to hold the mirrorless camera. I have been thinking to get a lighter sony camera but at the same time does not want to waste money at this point of time. I already have a good Sony A7 series camera.
I guess I need to find a list of hobbies/interests that perhaps do not need much of the investment? Camera and lens are not cheap.
Learning and Personal Growth
For many of us, retirement is a chance to explore new areas of interest and expand our knowledge. According to Tony Robbins, growth is one of the areas that can make us feel happy. And I always like personal growth. I attended UPW (Unleash the Power Within) by Tony Robbins, Patterns of Excellence by Adam Khoo and NLP by Ulysses Wang. It was awesome.
Maybe that will be the time for me to learn how to take good photography and some basic photo editing skills. And perhaps venture into videography? Could it be too late?
And also this could be the stage where I got time to finally read all my non-fiction books. They are all waiting for me on the book shelves. LOL.
Travel and Exploration
As I reflect on my post-retirement journey, I realize that travel and exploration have become an integral part of my life. Lack of time freedom in my current stage of life, perhaps if budget allow, it is time to see the world and open our eyes. The only hope I have is that I am still fit enough to walk, else I have got to say farewell to travel.
Mental Stimulation and Brain Games
Mindful of the importance of keeping my cognitive abilities sharp, I’ve incorporated mental stimulation and brain games into my daily routine. Whether it’s crosswords, Sudoku, or memory games, these activities help me stay focused and mentally agile. In fact, research suggests that engaging in mentally stimulating activities can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by up to 63%!
To wrap up
The post-retirement journey, much like a well-planned vacation, requires some careful consideration to ensure it’s filled with purpose and joy. As I reflect on my own journey, I realize that it’s crucial to think about how you want to live your life after retirement – will it require extra funds, and what kind of lifestyle changes will you need to make? From staying fit and healthy with the right foods and exercises, to nurturing human connections, every aspect matters. By planning ahead, you can create a fulfilling post-retirement life that’s truly your own.