How to Manage the Count-Down to Retirement

The Count-Down to Retirement Can be Tough – here’s how to manage it

If you thought the years of caring for littlies was hard, it may come as a shock to learn the count-down to retirement can be every bit as demanding. Not only are you still working, and saving hard for the dollars to supplement your super, but you’re very likely to be caring for elderly parents and grandchildren. While your community responsibilities won’t have decreased, your energy levels certainly will have, and on top of that, you’re probably dealing with a few health issues of your own, and your partner’s. It can add up to a tough few years, but there are ways to manage it. We’ve put together the following tips to help you navigate your way through what, for many, is a challenging period:

Take a rain check

We all have hobbies we enjoy, whether its working on the classic car at the weekends, or attending an art class. As energy levels flag, it can be difficult to fit in all our ‘extracurricular’ activities while keeping our day job ‘on the road’. Instead of feeling down about it, offer yourself a rain check – the opportunity to take a break from a pastime while still promising yourself you can return to it again when you retire. Instead of selling the classic car or giving away your art materials, ‘park them’ for a year or two, and look forward to retirement when you can enjoy them again – full time, if you want to!

That counts as exercise

If you’re in your sixties, you’ve probably realised your daily exercise, pleasurable and necessary though it is, takes a little more time to recover from than it used to. Which means you may not be able to fit as much into the day as you once could. However, much of the vigorous activity we do around the house counts as exercise, too. So if you’ve spent the day in the garden, washing the windows, or painting the house, factor this into your physical activity, and don’t push yourself to go on quite such a long daily run as well!

Hand over the reins

Social responsibility is to be commended, but as you edge your way towards retirement, you may not have the time or energy to devote yourself to it as you did previously, and that’s OK! Until you’re finally retired, consider handing over the reins to someone who already has the privilege – or to a younger person. You can still attend the Rotary or golf club meetings, and show up for working bees, but you don’t have to be the treasurer or secretary as well!

“Thanks! I’m looking forward to it”

If you’re someone who’s known for helping out – whether in your extended family or your wider community, you’ll no doubt be inundated with requests to do even more. The pre-retirement years may not be the best time to say ‘yes.’ In fact, you have the very (real) excuse to say ‘no’. If this seems difficult, try prefacing your decline with: “Thanks, I’ll look forward to taking it on once I retire!” This kind of statement can’t be argued with, and what’s more, it will promote understanding.

Delegate

Pre-retirement years are filled with responsibilities, but they won’t last forever. Until they abate, delegate! You may, for example, be taking more than your fair share of responsibility for grandchildren or older relatives, yet you’ve normalised this expectation. Is there another set of grandparents (or some aunts or uncles) who could take on the roles you are currently managing? If so, consider approaching them. If your siblings aren’t in town to assist with the care of your ageing parents, ask if they can help in other ways such as paying for a gardener or cleaner for your parents, so you are relieved of these responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to ask your own children (or older grandchildren) for help. Getting them to trim your shrubs, mow your lawn, or pick up your online order of groceries when they collect their own, for example, are simple tasks that can help you save your energy for the jobs that can’t be handled by anyone else. If you’re in a senior position in a club or charity, think more about delegating instead of doing everything yourself.

Don’t let an increasingly exhausting routine spoil your anticipation of retirement. Take action now, so you’re not worn out when the best years of life roll around!