I like redirected as well. I'm doing many of the same things I've done my entire life - including writing and speaking - but without the added time constraints of full-time employment. I love the word curiosity, connectivity, challenge, and contributing - those describe what's important to me at 71! Thanks Judy.
Yes! We can redirect our attention and have more time to be curious, make connections, challenge ourselves and contribute to things we really care about. Thanks, Maggie!
I like reimagined AND rewired. Little did I know when I retired that writing and blogging would give me purpose and satisfaction, yet also provide flexibility. I've also enjoyed the opportunity to mentor younger women and be an influence in our grandchildren's lives. There's MUCH to be grateful for in this post-work stage of life!
This piece as so many great observations and ideas about how to frame the change from full time work to something more adapted to later life. I have also heard the term "rewired" as opposed to "retired." and that fits as well. Many of us are still so busy serving but when you say "retired" people think of inactivity. Nothing could be further from the truth!
So true! I wonder if there’s a difference in perception between how those who haven’t yet thought about retirement and those who are retired process the word? Frankly, I had never formed an opinion about retirement or what it meant until the last 5 years or so. Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth!
Martin, I was too....at first. I loved and still love the flexibility and freedom of no longer working fulltime. However, you may find that the word "retired" triggers a belief in many minds (mostly younger folks) that you are less valuable and interesting because you describe yourself as retired. It's not fair of course, but the lived experience of many of us.
I like redirected as well. I'm doing many of the same things I've done my entire life - including writing and speaking - but without the added time constraints of full-time employment. I love the word curiosity, connectivity, challenge, and contributing - those describe what's important to me at 71! Thanks Judy.
Yes! We can redirect our attention and have more time to be curious, make connections, challenge ourselves and contribute to things we really care about. Thanks, Maggie!
I like reimagined AND rewired. Little did I know when I retired that writing and blogging would give me purpose and satisfaction, yet also provide flexibility. I've also enjoyed the opportunity to mentor younger women and be an influence in our grandchildren's lives. There's MUCH to be grateful for in this post-work stage of life!
It sounds like you’ve reimagined and retired your life quite productively! Thank you for reading and commenting!
I like "reimagined".
Thanks Linda!
This piece as so many great observations and ideas about how to frame the change from full time work to something more adapted to later life. I have also heard the term "rewired" as opposed to "retired." and that fits as well. Many of us are still so busy serving but when you say "retired" people think of inactivity. Nothing could be further from the truth!
So true! I wonder if there’s a difference in perception between how those who haven’t yet thought about retirement and those who are retired process the word? Frankly, I had never formed an opinion about retirement or what it meant until the last 5 years or so. Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth!
I'm retiring in a few weeks and am quite happy with the word
Martin, I was too....at first. I loved and still love the flexibility and freedom of no longer working fulltime. However, you may find that the word "retired" triggers a belief in many minds (mostly younger folks) that you are less valuable and interesting because you describe yourself as retired. It's not fair of course, but the lived experience of many of us.
PS - My friend Lenny always joked that to be "retired" is to be literally re-treaded. That works, too!