Smart Senior

Redefining yourself after retirement is a popular topic. Having to or needing to redefine yourself can happen in the blink of an eye, or so it seems. It isn’t always about age. Consider the stay-at-home father, the young person in a career changing moment, the baby boomer forced into early retirement, the empty nester, the newly disabled person, or those who have simply been caught up in “downsizing.” What do they all have in common?
So many years are consumed with career aspirations that “retirement” comes as a shock at any age. Finding yourself on the other side of the workforce is an eye opener. You may no longer be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, nurse, accountant, or even a stay-at-home mom, but you are still “you.”
What happens when your job is no longer a part of the equation? Give it some thought. When you are dismissed from the workforce, regardless of why, it is like being punched in the gut. Prepared or not, you end up feeling awful about yourself.
Word to the wise. It is easier if you are prepared. You should never have allowed your job to become your sole identity in the first place. Now, you must regroup, redefine yourself, and become the person you always wanted to be. It could be fun.
Assess your strong points and figure out ways to use your talents to your advantage. Figure out what is important for your mental and physical health and wellbeing.
How do you find fulfillment in later life? By being realistic, by recognizing your limitations, and learning how to work around them. Accept partial dependency. Asking for or accepting help is hard, but it is important. In the work force it was called “delegation.” Now it is called “getting a life.”
Aging takes its toll. Your endurance, speed and strength will decline but your life is not over. Whether you are looking for another job, signing up for volunteer opportunities, or embarking on self-help projects, you need to put your own needs first. Never let a disability become your new identity.