I just finished, and thoroughly enjoyed, a class called Next Chapter which was based on Harvard’s research on happiness. Researcher Dr. Robert Waldinger also wrote a book about this decades long study called The Good Life and has a popular TED Talk that summarizes his findings. I encourage you to read or listen, see where you are at this moment in your life, and identify one next action you can take toward better well-being and happiness.
Ready for Your Next Chapter?
I never want to be the bearer of a spoiler alert (no divulging the end of the movie!) so I won’t summarize all of Harvard’s findings, but I do have just a couple of observations and resources to share that are especially pertinent to those of us over 60.
One of the key findings confirms that where we are in our lifecycle shapes how we look at ourselves and the world. This is why it’s normal to see our priorities change over our lifespan. For example, as I’ve worked with families of all ages over my past 20+ years in the finance industry, I agree wholeheartedly that our money priorities change based on our current needs and life events at the moment (which is why I wrote all of my life-stage money checklists).
Each stage of life is like turning the page to a new chapter. Some of us adapt to change better than others. When my children were very young and life felt physically exhausting (we had four children five and under at one point, which also meant we had four teenagers in the house at one point too!), I recall thinking I wished for “dull and boring.”
Our Response to Constant Change
But Harvard’s research also confirmed that how we respond to the challenge of turning each page can make a significant difference in our happiness and well-being. Remember, stress negatively affects our health through inflammation and slower healing, so aging well often means finding ways to reduce stress. I finally admitted to myself that the only thing we can count on in life is constant change. So, I decided to buckle in and enjoy the ride.
“Constant change” reminds me of something I often share with clients (which is easy to say, but hard to do): how volatility=opportunity in the market. Can we view change in our lives as opportunity for growth too? In our 60s, we often look forward to retirement, a highly anticipated chapter. But with it comes financial, social and psychological change.
Most Concerned About Finances
The financial side of retirement is often the first concern. Will my nest egg and income sources prevent me from running out of money? Should I roll over my retirement account? How do I allocate my investments?
Mindset Is Fundamental
Psychologically, retirement brings its own set of challenges. Am I comfortable going from Accumulation to Withdrawal mode? Who am I if I no longer have a job title? Now that my time is my own, how do I want to spend it?
Social Life Changes
And socially, life changes too. Do I have plans to replace my work/professional mates with new social playmates? How do I balance family, community, staying active, and personal passions? What relationships do I want to nurture?
For many, retirement is the most anticipated chapter – and Harvard’s research confirms that happiness rates increase in later years. One important aspect of that is being healthy enough to enjoy it. I frequently hear from clients and aging friends, “Golden years, my @#%!” as they lament a new ache or pain.
Make It Fun with Activity
Incorporating enjoyable activity into your daily lifestyle becomes even more critical during retirement. At least we have more time to dedicate to this than during our working years. But it still takes intentional effort. When every day can feel like a vacation or happy hour, it’s easy to lose track of time and not prioritize physical activity.
Dr. Waldinger concluded the Next Chapter class with an analogy about change that resonated with me: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” I’ve never surfed before, so I recalled another analogy that I can relate to instead: Are you in the driver’s seat or the trunk on your journey? (Jasper Smith) Whatever analogy resonates with you, I encourage you to reflect and decide: How are you turning the pages in your life?
Let’s Reflect:
Do you have an analogy that helps you move forward positively through the changes in life? Or a mantra for retirement? What experiences can you share to help our community work through change?
