The Sad State of Retirement

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I like to write posts based on my current experiences in life and this one happens to be a very unusual topic I rarely discuss here.(Haha) The topic today is retirement and we will dive in to share a bit about the sad state of retirement and what I mean by this.

The other day I had to take a half day off from work to go to a doctors appointment. I was done a bit early so I decided to go to the mall, primarily Marshall’s within the mall, to get a new pair of all-purpose athletic shorts for the summer. As I am walking through the hallway inside the local outlet mall, I see a row of chairs along the wall, each one filled with random people. Each and every person was just staring aimlessly at other people walking or either looking at a Cell Phone. The reason this struck me as being the sad state of retirement, almost 90% of the people looked depressed or just passing the time.

Granted I might be assuming that the people are retired, but besides those on vacation or taking a half day as I did. I will bet some Rupees that many of them are either retired or on a extended sabbatical from work. Why is it that they look somber and non-content? Retirement should never be thought of as a sad time in their lives. If they had hobbies, activities, and social networks maybe they wouldn’t be so dull looking as they passed the time sitting in a mall.

I hear media stories all the time that people in retirement are more likely to die, due to a lack of purpose or simply because something is missing from their lives that work used to provide. Why is it that retirement gets such a bad rap in the media. These are examples of the travesty stories I hear:

1. You never have enough money to retire
2. You might die within 3 years of retirement
3. Being retired is considered not being a productive citizen

With all of these negative connotations towards the big ol retirement stage, why would the average Joe pursue it sooner? Don’t fall prey to what the media says, and just go live your life. Do what makes you happy, and forget about watching TV all day or sitting in the mall during retirement. There’s more to retirement than just lounging all day. See below for a few examples of what I will do when I enter my early retirement.

1. Work out 3-4 times a week
2. Volunteer 2 times a week
3. Manage my personal retirement income empire
4. Cook More elaborate meals
5. Oversee my small Real Estate Portfolio
6. Spend time with other retired family and friends
7. Visit New places all over my 10 mile home radius
8. Blog and Write and Read
9. Watch a show or Movie on occasion
10. Learn a new Skill like carpentry, instruments, or Language.

I think all of these things will keep me busy and I’m sure I missed a few. The point is to find anything that will make you happy, instead of sitting in the mall passing time.

Just the other day someone at my place of work retired, and guess what she cried tears of sadness. Why did she look so sad? This is the time she can get back her free time and just move forward. Being content with pursuing the next stage in life is the whole point behind working all those years.

Retirement should be a time of elation not depression. – Rich Uncle EL

To sum it all up and tie a neat little bow on this topic. Retirement shouldn’t be a sad state mind frame, and instead it should be a go dance happy time frame. The real golden years in which freedom is abundant.

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Rich Uncle EL