Happily retired ☺️

How do you want to retire?

How have you retired

I will change this prompt to “How have you retired”

In India retirement age is 58 or 60. Two years ago, I retired at the age of 60 years. My HR asked me the question on my retirement day – How do you feel now? And the spontaneous response came “I am happy and content having no regrets” It was true feelings at the time of retirement. He was very happy with the answer and said I also wish to retire like you.

In Hindu scriptures, there are three phases of life 1. Brahmacharya ashram 2. Grihastha Ashram 3. Vanaprasth ashram. When you are young and learning it is 1st phase. When you start your family life then you enter 2nd phase. And when you retire you enter 3rd phase that is Vanaprasth ashram.

In the third phase of your life, it is expected that you spend your time reading scripture and serving god.

People dread retirement because they think there is nothing to do and I will be completely detached and live useless life. I feel it is change of the way you live. Somewhere in life, you have to take a pause and reflect on the things you’ve missed to do due to your professional life. May be pursuing your passion is forgotten in the rat race.

How to retire happily

Plan your retirement properly. There are many steps involved. Let us see these steps one by one.

1. Disconnect from the materialistic and relationship world. Don’t get involved in any such matters unless you’re asked for.
2. Plan your finances wisely. This is important because post retirement you can live peacefully. Prepare your balance sheet in early age like income and liability statement till your retirement. You may consult any financial planner. Ensure that post retirement you will get fixed income without working. The money you earned till retirement should work for you post retirement.
3. Build and nurture social connections. It is important to meet people regularly.
4. Don’t keep telling people about your glorious past. You are now retired and your powerful chair is past and gone.
5. Do not share your advice without anyone asking for it. Also forget the advice once given. Don’t keep tracking about what he did with your advice.
6. Plan at least one year in advance, what hobbies or activities you will enjoy post retirement. Yes it is important. Keep yourself busy.
7. Don’t lock yourself in the house and keep staring at the walls. Socialise and relax with friends.
8. Ensure to have health insurance and regular health checks.

I still remember the day I retired, all my colleagues gathered at the company gate to say bye bye 👋

My daughter drove me to home. She said I will complete the circle. You dropped me to the school when she was a kid, now you are retiring so I will drop you home. Daughters are so loving.

Retirement is second chance to live life which you missed due to your busy schedules. Plan and enjoy it to the fullest.

Happy Retirement 🎉😊