Welcome to Rethink Retirement. A monthly blog series where I will explore different topics related to all things retirement. Each month I will answer questions and provide insight into this exciting and sometimes challenging time in your life.
For this month’s Rethink Retirement blog, I discuss the difference between being an extrovert and introvert and how this can shape your retirement planning, depending which category you fall into.
Retirement is not always how we imagine it. The way the media portrays retirement can be very misleading. Laughing while riding a bike, lying on a beach, or playing golf all day may seem like a dream come true. But is it realistic and sustainable? Not for very long. Retirement can be a struggle and, let’s face it, having a job to go to everyday, whether you love it or not, provides structure, purpose and for many, a social network. So when that ends, what are you going to do?
There are (generally) two types of people. Those that get their energy from being around people and thrive in social interactions (extrovert), and those that feel energized spending more time alone at home and doing solo activities (introvert).
Extroverts typically prefer to be engaged with people, to be social and busy. They feel energized in these settings. Introverts on the other hand, prefer more alone time and can find too many social interactions with too many people exhausting.
Depending on which group you fall into, your retirement planning might evolve differently and the way you chose to spend your time will look different, as well. There is no right or wrong here. But it’s important to know which group you fall into and plan activities that feel right for you.
An extroverted person for example, will seek out social interactions and activities and find ways to be around others and keep busy each day. They may meet up with friends for lunch a few times a week, go for group walks, join a group exercise class, or volunteer in their local community. We’ve all heard people say, “I’ve never been as busy as I am in retirement.” These people made that happen. They explored their options and found ways to add meaning and purpose to this next stage of life. This is so important for living a fulfilled life in retirement, while keeping active, both mentally and socially and staying physically fit…all things that studies have shown will lead to living a longer life.
I’m not saying that an introvert person won’t do the same things, it might just look a little different and be more toned down. And while there is nothing wrong with being at home and having alone time, I don’t recommend doing this all the time in retirement. I’ve heard too many stories of people retiring, thinking it will be so great to be at home and not worry about rushing off to a job each day. True, it is nice to have this option, but in time, this can lead to staying in bed for too long, watching TV all day, gaining weight, and ultimately living a life of isolation. And too much isolation can lead you down a dark road of depression, poor health, and an early death.
So what should an introvert do to have a balanced retirement life and still being true to themselves? First, being self-aware is key. If you know that you are the type of person that shies away from large social gatherings or activities, try to find other things that align with who you are and what you are comfortable with. What do you like to do? What and who makes you happy? Try to incorporate that into your daily or weekly schedule. These can be small things such as having a regular lunch date with one friend (not a big group), grabbing that same friend and going for a walk. Maybe you’d like to volunteer in your local community (there are many things you can do that are one-on-one) or join a small intimate yoga class a few times a week. It really doesn’t matter what you do, it just has to be something that you enjoy, will get you out of the house, and keep you active.
This might require some digging and soul searching, and it may take some time, but it can happen. And if you are struggling, ask for help. There is nothing wrong with that. It is better to talk this through with someone as opposed to being alone at home, becoming depressed, lonely, and wondering if this was really how you envisioned your retirement…
Whether you are an extrovert or introvert, there is always a lot to think about when planning your retirement. This can be challenging!
If you find planning overwhelming and not sure where to start, remember you do not have to do this alone. Reach out to me anytime if you need a little help or simply have a question. My purpose is to see you live your best retirement life!
Jennifer Rovet, CPRC
Retirement Coach
Retire Ready Canada
retirereadycanada@gmail.com
www.retirereadycanada.com
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