One way to retire
- Do it
- Face the pain and fear: your life is now over. There is nothing to do now but sit and wait for death.
- Keep sitting and waiting until you notice something interesting or remember a promise you made that needs work or a problem that needs solving. Voila! The life force in you asserts itself and you are re-launched into a new phase.
- Take a little action involving the interesting things,the promise or the problem.
- En garde! Note that step d. recommends "take a LITTLE action". That is important. As a retired person, you are a treasure: your insights, memories, energy and especially money, are all of interest to causes, committees and concerns. Many retired persons are more or less free and independent for the first time in their lives. Don't forfeit such a good opportunity. Sure, re-harnessing yourself into a job, a commitment, an obligation or series of them eliminates the need to answer the question: what shall I do today? However, for 5 or ten years or so, you may want to face up to more frequent planning and re-planning in order to protect your open opportunities.
- When you have a moment, sit down (many good actions start with sitting) with a pad and pencil. Reflect on adventures, destinations, activities, skills you have had a hankering to try over the last several decades. Make a list. Put it aside in a place where you are going to run into it in a day or a week. Re-examine the list later. Pick an item and try a little sample of the idea.
