Happy RetirementI am determined to have a Happy Retirement... I've worked for years and I deserve it -- don't you? So now how will you find retirement happiness? Ten Tips to Retire Happy here. Check out what other retirees think about HAPPY RETIREMENT! Check out this happiness video from Prager University: Appreciate yourself -- think of your own history and what you've lived through and appreciate your lifetime accomplishments. Even the "small" things count - your children, your church life, your art work. Did you notice that I'm not necessarily talking only successes in employment. A happy retirement includes your own self-appreciation. You have many years of living and learning... consider sharing your thoughts with the world! You know lots on a specific topic, or have lived through events that others may never know. Share your life with others. If you are interested in starting a blog, I will set one up for you! Learn and Live -- Classes, day trips, adventures, live in a retirement community with daily activities, crafts, movies. Interact with people. A happy retirement includes using your brain... never stop learning! Friends -- Throughout life, we find new friends and lose old friends... simply part of life. Take the time to make plans for lunch and other activities with friends. Friends are there to support you through the good and bad times in life. Even introverts (like me!) need some friendships for happiness in retirement. Don't simply think friends will happen -- you have to work towards finding new friends. You can call out an invitation to them... you start the friendship. If it doesn't work out, your interests are different or whatever, don't despair -- simply reach out to someone else. The world is full of people looking to share life with other interesting folks! Plan for the Future -- just thinking about where life is headed helps you ... DO SOMETHING -- don't just sit at home..... take action for yourself. Lift your spirits with a PLAN! Schedule something to do every single day. Get out your calendar and write out what you plan to do this month -- this sounds too simple, but it's a great exercise to see what can be done in a month and assure you won't be sitting around bored or lonely in retirement. It helps you to see the possibilities and to have an errand for each day -- something to look forward to. Now, it's not like you MUST so something every day -- so if it's rainy and you feel like cuddling down into your lazy chair with a good book, that's fine too. Years ago, The University of Michigan Institute of Gerontology surveyed seniors to determine how they remain active and happy. Some replies were: Doing busy work isn't enough; neither is a hobby. Plan some activities with other people. Continue learning - regardless of your age. Stay in touch with younger people. Do something for someone else at least once a day. Try out your activities before retiring.
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