What a Soft Retirement Could Look Like for You!

A gentle reimagining of purpose, pace, and calling in life’s next chapter.

As I look back to last year about this time, I was at the cusp of just beginning a part‑time job as a medication aide in a senior living community. While I had worked in healthcare previously, it was in corporate land and not in the nuts and bolts of hands‑on direct resident care! I was exposed to it in my corporate job, had a curiosity about it the whole time I was working, but I totally wasn't sure I could handle that type of work and I was hyper‑focused on career growth, money, providing for my family and all the things — you know, the American dream!

Well, here I am today happily reporting that after my layoff due to a company reorganization and after spending over 30 years in a desk job primarily working in information technology, I chose to return to work that I often felt called to but frankly was too afraid to explore as I was tied to the financial responsibility for my family and doing my part as a spouse. Admittedly, I may have taken that all too seriously, but I am not going to whip myself for past decisions but rather celebrate that I am recognizing it most likely all played out as it should to prepare me for the work I do now! I cannot even begin to describe how meaningful it has been for me to learn new things, work with all ages of co‑workers and residents and yes, even interacting with residents' family members is a joy!

This all said, I was dreaming of “not working at all” when what I needed was a soft retirement — a reframing of what is important to me, reevaluating my values and intentions, and then carrying out a series of experiments to see what works and what doesn't. This new life is still a work in progress and yes, sometimes I get overwhelmed about if I'm doing the right things and spending my time in the right ways. I have felt the guilt of not working, I've felt the guilt of beginning to work again and many feelings in between. Lots of identity work and “what is my purpose” work.

After going full‑on, full‑bore at everything in life, I came to accept that a hard stop simply doesn't suit me — and there is NOTHING wrong with easing into a softer way of living and honoring who I am, listening to a calling I felt and exploring and being willing to learn totally new things.

I prayed for the Lord to help me be willing to follow His plan for multiple years before He swooped in and began a transformation in my life. It's been quite a ride and I'm looking forward to seeing what His next steps are for me as I continue to settle into a new and different pace in life!

I write this blog as I prayed on a walk this morning for the willingness to be vulnerable and open with what I've learned. Retiring completely is in the cards for many persons, but for me, at least at the stage I am at now, it is okay that I am not ready. All I know is that what I do each and every day is pray that I am living as the Lord wants me to and I must be open to where He leads even when it isn't comfortable sometimes. It's a wondrous place to be!

And if I am feeling this way, how many others are out there perhaps dealing with the same questions I have had, like:

• How do I know if I am emotionally ready to retire?

• What do my finances look like and am I prepared?

• What do I do if I want to make a change but feel guilty about it?

• What do I do with feelings about if what I have done in life is “enough”?

• Am I afraid of losing structure, community or purpose?

• How do I begin to explore a new way of life?

• Am I being selfish?

• Am I following God's plan for me? How do I know?

  
  

And the list of thoughts can go on and on! I am so blessed to have had good, supportive people to talk about some of these fears and others I simply talked to God about. Both were necessary! I needed Jesus with skin on to ask me great questions to help me process things too. So grateful for supportive people in my life.

I hope this article helps someone out there begin to process next steps! Life is too short to sit in work that is draining — or even if you love it and are simply ready to slow down, that is equally important. Considering a soft retirement is soul‑retirement planning! We can be totally financially prepared to retire, but are our souls ready for the change? In my humble opinion, the soul work regarding retirement is not talked about enough! Biblically, we are called to continue to work toward a life that glorifies God — whether it is paid work, volunteering, or other forms of meaningful service.

With grace and gratitude,

Cindy

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