{"id":6838,"date":"2024-03-16T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-16T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/?p=6838"},"modified":"2024-04-02T15:29:32","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T22:29:32","slug":"five-ways-to-rediscover-your-identity-during-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/articles\/five-ways-to-rediscover-your-identity-during-retirement\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Ways to Rediscover Your Identity During Retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"cta\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Asset-4.png);\"\r\n>\r\n    <button id=\"cta-close\" aria-label=\"Close CTA\"><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"cta__content\">\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/retirement-planning-ebook\/\" target=\"_self\">\r\n                        <h2><strong>Download Our Free Retirement Guide today<\/strong><\/h2>\n        <span>Learn More<\/span><\/a>    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article was reviewed by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/about-us\/jay-brecknell\/\">Jay Brecknell, CFP\u00ae<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here&#8217;s the truth.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transitioning to retirement\u2014no matter how much you\u2019ve been looking forward to it\u2014is not easy. For most people, swapping suits for sweats is exciting for a couple of weeks, but when the novelty wears off and the \u201cretirement honeymoon\u201d is over, you\u2019re left with a life that is completely unknown to you. The \u201cNow what?\u201d feeling takes over and uncertainty creeps in, replacing the thrill of freedom\u2014but it doesn\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Studies have shown that retirement is hardest for people who work eight to twelve hours a day, are accustomed to a familiar schedule and rhythm, and interact with people daily. In other words, people who have had a routine for, in most cases, decades. Routines are proven to help manage stress, lead to better sleep, improve mental health, and positively affect mental sharpness\u2014all things you\u2019re going to want in retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You might be thinking, \u201cI\u2019ve been dreaming about retirement for years! That\u2019s not going to be me!\u201d but the thing is, every major life change comes with unforeseen obstacles. One in three retirees report feelings of depression in the first year alone and 40% of people report feeling more stressed than they did before they retired. Why? Most commonly, a loss of identity and routine. The solution? Rediscovering yourself and building a full life in your golden years.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"893\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/CedarRock-Blog-March2024-Gaphic-893x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6850\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/CedarRock-Blog-March2024-Gaphic-893x1024.png 893w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/CedarRock-Blog-March2024-Gaphic-261x300.png 261w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/CedarRock-Blog-March2024-Gaphic-768x881.png 768w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/CedarRock-Blog-March2024-Gaphic-1339x1536.png 1339w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/CedarRock-Blog-March2024-Gaphic-697x800.png 697w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/CedarRock-Blog-March2024-Gaphic.png 1636w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 893px) 100vw, 893px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transitioning to retirement will take time to figure out, but like we always say, retirement is a journey and to make the most of this exciting adventure, you need a plan. The timeline is up to you, but here are some ideas to get your retirement plan in motion. Have fun with it! It\u2019s probably been a while since you\u2019ve had this much time to tap into who you are, separate from what you do\/did for a living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #1: Find Purpose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want to thrive during retirement? You need to find a new purpose for your new phase of life. Thousands of studies have proven the health benefits, both cognitive and physical, of having a strong sense of purpose. From living a longer life and having a healthier heart to psychological resilience and increased life satisfaction, the benefits are both numerous and impactful. Many people find purpose through their careers, and in order to keep all the positive benefits having purpose brings as you transition into retirement, you need to find purpose anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you open the door to retirement, time is waiting and available. 40+ hours have been returned to you \u2013 not to mention the extra hours you\u2019re no longer thinking about work. That\u2019s a lot of time available to find out exactly what makes you happy and how you can use your skills to contribute to the community in a way that matters to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong> IDEAS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Set goals that challenge and excite you, and commit to seeing them through<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Donate your time or a skill you have<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore the interests you\u2019ve kept on the backburner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take classes, online or in person<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build deeper relationships with grandchildren, family members, friends, or pet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Happy-Seniors-Walking-Beach-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6868\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Happy-Seniors-Walking-Beach-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Happy-Seniors-Walking-Beach-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Happy-Seniors-Walking-Beach-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Happy-Seniors-Walking-Beach-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Happy-Seniors-Walking-Beach-800x532.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Happy-Seniors-Walking-Beach.jpg 1590w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #2: Challenge Your Brain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During your career, your brain was challenged on a daily basis. So, as you transition to retirement, it\u2019s important to find things you love doing that also challenge your brain. It can be anything from learning new skills to participating in thoughtful conversation. Every new activity brings a benefit, it\u2019s just important to put yourself out there and discover activities you enjoy doing that also make you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong> IDEAS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Learn to play an instrument<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Join a senior&#8217;s sports team<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attend or audit a university class, online or in-person<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Join a book club or library group<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #3: Make a Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While you\u2019re rediscovering yourself and adjusting to retired life, having a routine will help you manage the transition without stress. It can be as simple as having a standing coffee date each week, to something much more structured like a daily fitness class. The important thing is to provide meaning to your days, so they don\u2019t all feel the same. As we mentioned before, people thrive with routines and there are proven health benefits to having a schedule. To capitalize on this, you\u2019re going to want to treat retirement less like a vacation and more like a staycation with a to-do list.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong> IDEAS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plan an activity for each day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a to-do list with DIY projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drop in on family and friends<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to the gym or join group sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Join clubs or coffee groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #4: Volunteer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether it\u2019s passing on skills honed in your professional life or volunteering for pure enjoyment, those who volunteer have larger social circles, report higher levels of happiness, and have a clear sense of purpose. Typically, when you retire, you engage in less social activity, but that doesn\u2019t have to be the case. When you volunteer, you\u2019re often exposed to many people with common interests which can strengthen your support network, increase self-confidence, and bring you and others a lot of joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong> IDEAS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Consider your interests and look for opportunities that match<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for fun and fulfilling opportunities&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determine how much time you want to commit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are remote and on-site opportunities, figure out what works best for you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think about your volunteering goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider new possibilities and activities you\u2019ve never done before: community theatres, museums, libraries, community centres, animal shelters, wildlife centres, sports organizations, conservation efforts, the list goes on!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #5: Nurture Your Physical Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When polled, people between 45 and 65 report varying degrees of concern regarding physical health during retirement, and studies show a 5-16% increase in difficulties associated with mobility and daily activities six years after complete retirement. Everything from what you eat and the supplements you take, to your activity levels and how much you sleep, impacts your overall health and day-to-day life. To get the most out of your retirement, it is key to avoid sedentary activities and to maintain a balanced diet so the days of taking trips and travelling, playing with your family, and seeing friends are many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong> IDEAS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regular exercise&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time outside<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relaxation practices and meditation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fitness classes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Walking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cold plunging&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take cooking classes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet with a dietician to learn about supplements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Retired-Seniors-Hiking-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Retired-Seniors-Hiking-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Retired-Seniors-Hiking-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Retired-Seniors-Hiking-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Retired-Seniors-Hiking-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Retired-Seniors-Hiking-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/03\/CedarRock-March-Blog-Retired-Seniors-Hiking-800x533.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In conclusion.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transitioning to retirement can be a challenging journey, especially for those accustomed to a structured routine and who have a defined identity through work. However, by embracing change and actively rediscovering your purpose and passions, retirement can become a fulfilling and enriching phase of life. By following these five tips\u2014finding purpose, challenging your brain, making a schedule, volunteering, and nurturing your physical health\u2014you can navigate the uncertainties of retirement with confidence and build a vibrant new chapter filled with meaning, connection, and personal growth. Embrace the opportunity to tap into your interests (new and old), contribute to your community, and prioritize your well-being, and you&#8217;ll discover that retirement can be a time of renewal and fulfillment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-lead-font-size\">Interested in Retirement Resources?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-normal-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/articles\/travel-with-confidence-senior-travel-insurance-explained\/\">Travel with Confidence: Senior Travel Insurance, Explained<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-normal-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/articles\/how-to-create-a-retirement-bucket-list\/\">How to Create a Retirement Bucket List<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-normal-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/articles\/15-of-the-best-place-to-travel-in-retirement\/\">15 of the Best Places to Travel in Retirement<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover 5 strategies to help transition to retirement and rediscover your identity. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6870,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-planning","category-retirement-planning"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6838"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6873,"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6838\/revisions\/6873"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cedarrockfinancial.com\/tmp\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}