If you’re facing retirement, here are some tips from those who have been there.
Written by Dan Smith
We recently asked a number of retired readers to offer their experience with life’s “second act,” and how it might be done well. Here is some of what they had to say.
Arnette Crocker
I wish that I had retired when I was younger instead of working to the age of 77. I thought the routine of work and the mental stimulation would keep me healthy. But sitting for long hours at a desk, the added stress of deadlines, and sleep deprivation are components of work. Those conditions are not healthful. Poor dietary habits like eating irregular meals of fast foods and too much caffeine also contribute to declining health.
I assumed that I would spend my retirement doing the things that I always said I would do “when I grow up.” But the harsh truth is, when the human engine slows down, the engineer suddenly feels tired. In my case, everything within sight presented a physical and mental challenge beyond my ability. Even my decision-making suffered. The more I let myself unwind, the less enthusiasm I had for life.
My body froze. My legs stopped working. My arms refused to lift. I fought back. For two years, I declined and fought for strength. Gradually, like a baby learning to navigate her world, my range of motion and my mobility returned.
I think that when a person believes that only through enterprise and hard work will their lives have value, the body responds accordingly. It gives all it has. When those demands are no longer required, the body responds again. Some folks slow down, some folks stop. Some folks retire at just the right moment, while they can still see, with their good eye, a bright future.
Todd Marcum
I’m not quite into retirement, but I can see it from here. I turned 65 earlier this year, and I plan to step away from most of my advertising and marketing work—a career I have sincerely enjoyed—around the time I turn 67. That gives me some runway to plan for what comes next.
I’ve spent time observing people who seem to exemplify retirement done well. My friends Bob Schmucker, formerly of OCC, and Jim Lee, a former partner at Brown Edwards, appear to have mastered the art of pursuing what they love while continuing to make a meaningful impact on the community.
I am really blessed in that I have a lot of interests and hobbies…so much so that I am working with a career counselor to help me figure out how to prioritize things as I prepare for retirement.
Jack Dickerson
I think my years of retirement have been pretty exceptional for many reasons. What would I do differently? Nothing. I worked for the same company (Leggett/Belk) for close to 40 years. I guess I planned better than most.
I met with a financial advisor in 2000 and set a goal to retire at 59.5 years old in 2007. I have had a great life with extensive foreign travel, volunteering, and serving on executive board of the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
Amanda Cockrell
I really don’t think I would do anything differently, other than maybe retire [as a Hollins professor] a year before I did. The last year, I was feeling I’d stayed too long at the fair.
The surprise was that shortly after I retired, thinking I was going to spend my time making gardens and art, a British publisher wanted to re-publish my old Roman adventure novels, and since then I’ve written seven more books for them. But that was not something I could have planned for or predicted at all.
Surprises happen, but you never know what they’re going to be. This one has been a very pleasant surprise. I have also since published two other books, and those were the books of my heart but haven’t made any money to speak of. The Roman novels have allowed me to support those. The writing business is always a crapshoot and a trade-off.
Nell Favret Boyle
Don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people. Exercise will keep you strong and nimble. Just keep moving, and with other people when you can. Retirement is a gift.
Crickett Nordhaus
Mine and [husband] Tim’s retirement “job” is to exercise regularly (we go to the gym five days a week and bike, hike, or swim on other days) and mostly eat clean. It’s so important as we age that we stay functional and strong to maintain independence.
Don Barhhart
I’ve had [several health challenges] and it would have been easier if I’d started earlier. I would have made health a priority by being proactive. I would have done my own research. It’s surprising how much you can learn [by using the internet].
I’m still involved with business, spending time with it. You have to get out and about. I volunteer and I have an interest in watching the generations develop [with his Roanoke College affiliation].
H.D. Kemp
I’ve retired four times and I want to work a little longer. I like the cash flow and at my age [84], I want to untangle some things that I don’t want my family to have to deal with. My farm takes a lot of time, and my grandchildren want to keep it.
Marilyn Morarity
I find that the idea of having a purpose [maintains] a sense of identity. Because we work all our lives, our identities become tied up with work. It’s important to have or create an identity outside of work.
And finally, there is this suggestion:
Emily Brady Carter
Ask questions [about retirement]. Talk to people of all ages. Don’t worry about looking stupid. Be the first to laugh at yourself. Avoid the rush. Save some money.
Travel and do fun stuff before your body retires. Learn useful skills, such as maintaining a house. Learn some care and board games. Don’t rush into permanent decisions. Most everything is easier to get into than out of. Don’t be mean. Regrets suck, so quit doing regrettable things.
Keep making friends of all ages. The young will have rides, meals, good cheer, and bravery on ladders. Older friends will have sharable plants, the odd garden tool, brownies, anecdotes, and antics.
Wear sensible shoes.
