Post-Retirement

This is the story of my pursuit of happiness and a sense of purpose in life after retirement. I'm documenting this journey with the hope that it may help anyone considering retirement or already retired and struggling with the challenges, especially boredom. In fact, whenever I mention being retired, the questions I hear the most is, "Aren't you bored?" or "What do you do with all that free time?" It seems boredom is a common fear for many. While these are my personal experiences, and not everyone will achieve the same results, I aim to provide readers with ideas on where to focus and how to structure their own fulfilling lives after retirement.

Like many retirees, achieving financial freedom wasn't my only concern. After a challenging and busy 33 years long career, especially the last decade leading hundreds of employees in global engineering organizations, I worried I'd be quickly consumed by boredom after the initial "honeymoon phase" of retirement (reportedly lasting a few months to a year). Despite initial struggles, I crafted a structure for my retired life that helps me find a sense of purpose, explore spirituality via meditation and mindfulness, travel as much as I can afford, take care of my health, and last but not least, continually learn something. These are not unique areas of focus; everyone knows about them and can tailor their approach based on their abilities and experiences. The following details 5 key areas (or pillars, as I call them) that anchored my retired life structure that I wanted to share.

Volunteering
After a long search, I found a volunteer opportunity that combined using my skills with a worthy cause: helping improve the lives of the blind and visually impaired. The key point I want to emphasis is “using my skills” which is very important. This opportunity came through an organization called "Computers for the Blind," where I help rebuild donated computers with accessibility software and hardware to empower this community to lead independent and connected lives. This has become the most meaningful, purposeful, rewarding, and satisfying experience for me because these folks don't have the gift of sight that we all take for granted. I also volunteer online at reddit.com to help people with technology questions as well as help/advice to cybercrime victims. In addition to all these, I write informative blogs (blog.selvansoft.com) on technology field to educate people about staying safe online.

My advice to readers is this: find something that ignites your passion and allows you to leverage your skills to uplift others. We all have valuable skills honed during our careers, and there's always a place to use them to give back to the community. So, make this a central pillar of your retired life, and you won't be disappointed. Remember, the most important thing is to find something that fulfills you. Volunteer your time and talents wherever you feel a connection – the impact you make will be its own reward.

Spirituality
Spirituality is the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul, as opposed to material or physical things. It often involves a search for meaning, purpose, and connection to inner self. Many confuse spirituality as being religious. Personally, I think spirituality has nothing to do with religion. As a matter of fact, I am an atheist/skeptic and believer of evidence-based science but do believe strongly in seeking spirituality through mindfulness and meditation helps shape your life and brings meaning. I follow and practice meditation (Isha Kriya) taught by Sadhguru every day.

My advice to the reader is this: The beauty of spirituality is that it's a personal journey. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. If meditation resonates with you like it does for me, do it. However, there are many other ways to explore your inner world. Consider activities like spending time in nature, practicing yoga, spending time in quiet reflection. The key is to find what brings you a sense of peace, purpose, and connection.

Travel
Traveling the world was a major motivator for my decision to retire. While a full-time career can certainly limit travel opportunities, retirement allows for a more immersive and fulfilling experience. I maintain a travel bucket list to keep my desire to travel ignited. It's a dynamic document that evolves as I learn more about the world and discover new destinations. My goal in life is to hit all of those destinations before my body fails on me. While my specific interests may not perfectly align with yours, the beauty of travel lies in its diversity. There's something for everyone, whether it's bustling cities, serene beaches, breathtaking mountains, wonders of the world or encounters with fascinating cultures, food etc.

Unlike the other pillars of my retired life, travel requires significant financial investment. Fortunately, by prioritizing financial planning throughout my career, I'm able to pursue these travel dreams to an extent. I only wish I can do more of it though 😞 However, creating a fulfilling travel experience doesn't require breaking the bank. Whether it's exploring local hidden gems or embarking on international adventures, the key is to find destinations that resonate with your interests and budget.

I believe the desire to travel is universal. The world is a vast and wondrous place, brimming with opportunities to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. So, take inspiration from my journey, but most importantly, chart your own course! Start building your travel bucket list, research destinations that pique your curiosity, and get ready to explore!

Health & Social Connections

There's no denying that good health is the cornerstone of a happy and fulfilling retirement. After all, what good is a well-structured plan if you're unable to enjoy it due to physical limitations? This is one area I am guilty of lagging behind … a lot! While I'm still working on optimizing my own health routine, I can certainly emphasize the importance of the basics to the reader.

• Prioritize Sleep: Getting enough quality sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being.
• Embrace Movement: Regular exercise, brisk walking, keeps your body strong and your mind sharp.
• Nourish Your Body: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and nuts, vegetables, and whole grains fuels your energy and supports overall health.

My personal goal is to live a healthy and independent life, free from being a burden on my children which is extremely important to me. I want them to focus on their own lives and dreams, knowing I'm taking care of myself. While the future is unpredictable, prioritizing my health now increases my chances of living a long and vibrant life on my own terms.

Besides taking care of your physical health, maintaining social connections is very vital for overall health and positive impact on your emotional well-being. While it's true that social activities and connections may decrease after retirement, there are still plenty of ways to stay engaged and live a fulfilling life. In addition to the volunteering and travel pillars I discussed above, which can also promote social connections, there's a special value in interacting with friends you already have in your network to strengthen those bonds. In that regard, I started regularly meeting friends for coffee or breakfast to catch up and share ideas. My goal is to do this at least twice a month, and so far, this approach has been successful and a very positive experience.

Learning

My favorite astrophysicist and role model, Neil deGrasse Tyson, perfectly captures my approach to learning with his quote: "You don't need to look very far to find the meaning of life; you can create one for yourself. Every day you should try to learn something new about the world." I wholeheartedly embraced this philosophy. During my full-time corporate career, technology was my constant companion for three decades. There was little time for exploring other interests. Now, with time on my hands and an infinite ocean of online knowledge, I've embarked on a journey of discovery. These include but not limited to astrophysics, theoretical & quantum physics, spacetime, black hole theories, time travel – these are just some of the captivating topics I'm delving into learn. The human brain, free will, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), the interplay of science and religion … the list goes on! My curiosity about ancient civilizations, from mesopotamia and the indus valley to egypt, the mayans, and even the incas, is another area of exploration. Every new discovery fuels my passion for lifelong learning, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the time to pursue this enriching journey until my final days.

My advice to readers is this: find a subject that sparks your curiosity and dive into it!  Whether it's astrophysics, ancient history, or anything else that captures your imagination, the key is to learn from credible sources. With the vast amount of information available online, it's crucial to be selective. Here are some tips:

• Seek out content from reputable sources: Look for information from established institutions, universities, and respected publications. Peer-reviewed articles, research papers by scientists and scholars, and works by philosophers are excellent resources.
• Be wary of social media: Unfortunately, social media platforms are often breeding grounds for misinformation. It's best to avoid basing your learning on content found on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter etc. In my opinion, collectively they are digital noise, garbage & misinformation you should stay away from.

I've compiled a list of credible sources and inspiring figures in my learning journey. Feel free to explore them at the end of this blog post or use it as a springboard to create your own learning roadmap. Remember, the most important thing is to find joy in the process of exploration!