Are you kicking your plans to retire down the road?
My father tells this story about a man who retired flew down to Florida where all the old Pharmacists go, put the key in the door to his new condo, turned the key and died.
It seems akin to Hemmingway as he took a bet with other writers about writing the shortest story. He wrote “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” All in a flash and with great abstraction.
For what it is worth, I believe my father was telling me a true story not just to raise a point but potentially to make a statement about what he wanted to do. While this post is not specifically about him, I do believe that he has influenced my affinity to stay working without a specific end date in mind.
I don’t want to work up until the point of death. I’d like to have some time to enjoy life. Many people I talk to about retirement don’t have a plan. They want to do something to “give back” and they don’t want to be bored but they don’t know yet what that something is.
Perhaps the key lies in finding balance. Work doesn’t have to be a relentless pursuit until the very end, nor does retirement have to be an abrupt stop. It’s about integration—gradually shifting from full-time work to part-time, exploring passions, and pursuing interests that bring joy and fulfillment. Maybe? It could be that you just make the call before sickness, or some terrible event comes for you.
My father’s story, Hemingway’s tale, and my conversations with those contemplating retirement all point to the importance of having a vision for the future. It’s not just about what we retire from but what we retire to. The relationship with Hemingway really is about the fact that as the years pass, we will become more abstract to the generations that come after us. We will be a name and an image but not much more than a few words. In fact, most of us will be forgotten.
Having a vision also requires us to act. Action is required!
This informs me personally that I should take advantage of every opportunity I have with the life I have. It also has me considering what I ask of myself, and what we may ask of ourselves.
We must ask ourselves: What will give us a sense of purpose? How can we continue to grow, contribute, and find meaning in our days? For some, it might be volunteering, for others, it could be a hobby turned passion project, or even mentoring the next generation.
In the end, it’s about living with intention and ensuring that the final chapters of our lives are as fulfilling as the earlier ones. Retirement isn’t an end; it’s a new beginning. And it’s up to each of us to write that story. I hope you choose to think about what is important to you, envision your future and take action to write the pages to your story!