For many, retirement represents a new chapter; a time for doing things you didn’t have time for in your previous life. Retirement is for crossing things off your bucket list and adjusting your pace, whether that means slowing down or revving up. If you’re going into retirement solo, you may face unique challenges and opportunities in terms of how you design and implement your retirement game plan.
If you’re solo by choice and comfortable with being on your own, then retirement can be a breeze. Enjoying your own company will serve you well. You can plan and participate in various activities on your own terms, without having to factor in a partner’s preferences or schedule. Of course, compromise and flexibility are necessary for dealing with friends, family, or travel buddies, but for the most part, you’re freer to do as you please.
If you’re solo by default, i.e. as a result of having been widowed, divorced, or not having found ‘the one,’ retirement may pose some challenges. If you believe that singledom is synonymous with loneliness and being a fifth wheel, you’re setting yourself up for a gloomy retirement. Plus, you may be missing out on all that retirement has to offer, regardless of your relationship status. Alone does not equal lonely.
Being an introvert or an extrovert can also impact your retirement experience, particularly if you’re solo. If you’re an extrovert, participating in group activities, making new friends, and interacting with strangers will be a piece of cake. But for an introvert, these kinds of situations can be daunting. Bringing along a buddy for moral support to act as a buffer between you and the things that make you uncomfortable is a good idea.
Now, let’s take these solo navigation tools and strategies to the next level.
1. With A Little Help From Your Friends
Humans are by nature social beings and research findings have shown that as we age, we do better in the regular company of others. That doesn’t mean you have to socialize 24/7, but being alone too much can adversely affect your health, well-being, and longevity. A strong social network is a key component to a satisfying and fulfilling retirement.
One of my solo coaching clients, “Jan,” was an introvert struggling in her retirement. By contrast, her friend, “Peggy,” had a large circle of friends. Jan’s goal was to ask Peggy to include her in social gatherings from time to time. Turns out, Jan hit it off with two of Peggy’s friends and now sees them regularly. Although she had been introduced to them previously, this time she made a concerted effort to connect on a deeper level.