‘This is the fourth blog in the Caregiver Series which discusses reinventing yourself. ‘
From the time we are growing up, we hear the word ‘retirement’. It first is referenced to our grandparents but we think it is what older people do after all, it doesn’t really affect us. All we care about is getting out of school or college and starting our lives.
We start working at our first real job and we hear about it again. We should start to plan our future, however it is something that our parents do so we ignore the advice and continue to have fun in our early 20’s.
About our mid-twenties, we are getting married and having kids and the topic of retirement comes up again. We finally realize that the two generations that came before us were smarter than we gave them credit for!!
We start planning for the future and think about one day we will be retiring. We go through raising kids, sending kids to college if they choose that route, planning weddings, and becoming grandparents. The kids have moved out and the 50’s and 60’s become our time to enjoy life. As we get close to mid or upper 60’s we are planning how to spend that nest egg of wealth that we have accumulated. And then..
A brick wall!!! You are 1 1/2 years away from starting your retirement and a diagnosis comes. My husband hit the brick wall when he went on oxygen and couldn’t go back to work in the manufacturing plant. It is a hard pill to swallow as the decision to stop working is no longer yours. Your diagnosis has taken that decision out of your hands. We have to take a breath to accept what is happening. After you have taken some time in self-reflection, it is time to reinvent yourself but how do you do that!
Reinventing Yourself
- Accept where you are.
- Re-adjust your goals.
- Concentrate on building strength.
- Look at a different industry.
- Volunteer (if you can longer work).
- Try a remote position with flexibility.
- Try an online venture.
- Focus your attention on one goal at a time.
- Stay positive.
- Identify your strengths.
- Test the waters-if it doesn’t work, try something different.
Reinventing yourself is not easy and doesn’t happen overnight. Talk to people in your support system whether it is your family or friends. Don’t let your diagnosis define you!! You are so much more!!!
Thank you for this insight! ❤️
Thanks for sharing. It’s so hard when the decision isn’t yours to make! This happened to my mom. She worked hard her whole life and couldn’t wait for the day she could retire. She was so close, then a medical emergency happened and it was no longer her choice, she could no longer work. She always talked about going back…
Thanks for the comment. It is hard when that happens. I feel that it happens more than we realize.
I’ve seen this happen to so many people. My husband already has a terminal illness (at least that’s what it’s defined as). We don’t take any time for granted and I hope we have plenty of retired years together.
Thank you for the comment. I am sorry to hear about your husband. You have a great outlook about not taking time for granted. I hope you have plenty of retired years together as that is what we work for.
So sorry to hear about your husband, but love your reinventing list! A positive attitude can help get you through unexpected hardships that life throws at us. I hope your husband finds a rewarding adventure that allows him to enjoy early retirement and thrive in his life ahead. Thank you for sharing and showing how our lives can change in an instant!
Thank you for the comment. I agree, reinventing yourself and a positive attitude navigates us through those hardships.
An interesting pov that many probably don’t consider when younger
I’m sorry to for what you had to go through. It’s never easy when life throws you a curve ball. We just need to find ways to work through it.
Thank you for the comment and I agree!
I have a first hand look at this, since I myself was retired early due to becoming disabled. Thank you for writing this.
I am sorry that you had to go through that as well. Thank you for the comment.
Great post thanks for sharing! my mom is contemplating a move post retirements so will pass it to her for a read!
Thanks for the share and the comment!
I love this list for re-inventing yourself! Life is so full of unexpected surprises, and not always welcome ones. I’m sorry about your husband. Love your attitude, especially the last image!
Thank you for the comment!