Retiring Men

Retiring Men

In 2007 it dawned on me that, with careful planning, I could retire in 2011 at the age of 58. I was feeling ready for a change – wanting to do some new things with the rest of my life.  I did not think I could afford it. (Who does?) But I read several books on retirement, read a lot on the internet about financial planning and retirement - and attended an excellent workshop that helped me sort out exactly what would be necessary. (Thanks, Church Pension Fund! Thanks CREDO!)

Everything pointed to the fact that I could pull this off if I really wanted to – and if I was willing to make some changes in my lifestyle. 

Still, I wavered often over the three years between the birth of my dream and the day I actually stepped into it. Why?

Fear. Especially the fears others projected onto me - projections I was too willing sometimes to accept. Joseph Campbell once said that nobody wants you to do what you want to do. He followed that up by saying follow your bliss. It is clear to me, as never before, that my happiness required me to de-link myself from other people’s expectations and their projected fears. Then I could start working on freeing myself from my own fears.

I know men who want to retire and don’t. I know men who don’t want to retire ever – and that’s fine – except some of them don’t want to simply because they cannot imagine changing their self-definition. Fear. Whatever you want to do – or not do – is fine by me. But I wanted to retire and I did. I don’t want my life circumscribed by fear. And it’s not.

I’m only in my fourth month past the last day on the job. I’ll keep you posted as time goes on.

The best advice i received? Two things from two retired friends:

1. When you find yourself dreading going to work more days than not, it is time to change your life - before illness changes it for you. (Thanks, David.)

2. Nobody is ever ready. Just do it. (Thanks, Bob.)

© Roger Hoyt Ard 2011