What Does Retirement Look Like to You? Are You Ready?
- Cindy
- Aug 25, 2025
- 3 min read
Sooner or later, we all reach a point where we begin asking ourselves, “Is this all there is to life? What is next for me? At what age can I retire? What do I want to do in retirement? Am I ready for this next stage in life?” The list of questions goes on and on for some of us, while others seem to find clarity sooner. Each person’s decision is deeply personal. Some find answers quickly, and others vacillate, trying different things until a balance is reached and the sweet spot is found.
This line of thinking struck me in my mid-fifties. I had been in a routine for so long—waking up early, going to work, coming home, making dinner, exercising, or following whatever the rhythm of the day required. As an empty nester, it felt like I was operating on autopilot most days. I was enjoying life, yet something still felt missing. I began praying and lamenting to God, asking Him to help me discern how to live out the next season of my life. I didn’t feel a great sense of purpose or direct impact on others in the work I was doing. The passion in my heart for that work had faded.
God opened a path for me to take a life coaching class, and when it was complete, I found myself booking a few sessions of life coaching for myself. That was one of my first answered prayers. This life coach listened and helped me focus on my values and ways to create balance in my life. I documented what I believed my values and priorities should—or could—be to bring more fulfillment. This person helped me craft a vision of what my ideal days and weeks might look like. That exercise empowered me to make decisions based on the life I wanted to build, rather than the life I had lived. It gave me hope and a vision for how my days could be structured to allow more time to serve my family and love others through my work.
It also helped me drop my pride and ask others—those my age and older—how they had transitioned into this new season. I was blessed with several people who had walked the walk and were more than happy to share their experiences. I soon learned that uncertainty and fear of change are normal parts of the process. So again, I sought God and prayed for wisdom and courage to take a step of faith and follow a path that would honor His will.
Today, I believe I’ve arrived at a place and season where I truly enjoy what I do. I continue to write, journal, and pray. I dabble in life coaching and work part-time serving seniors. I’ve learned it isn’t one thing I’m doing, but a variety of things—some that pay, some that don’t—that keep me engaged and my cup full. This rhythm allows me the time off I desired to spend with family when they’re available or when they express a need for my help and presence. It really is the best of both worlds right now.
I’m grateful to have a spouse who has supported me during this trying transition over the past year. That support helped me process what I was needing without feeling pressured to make quick decisions. What a gift. I've learned I am not full retirement ready just yet!
How about you—do you have a retirement story to share? Are you in the midst of processing a similar season of life and longing for someone to help you reason things out? I’d love to write more on the topic of retirement as a way to help others walk through the transition—hoping they find their way, and most of all, the peace they’re seeking in life and in Christ.
If you’d like to follow my blog, you can subscribe below. If you have a retirement story that might help me create more free content to encourage others, I’m all ears—please reach out. And if you’d like to chat about your retirement goals and are interested in life coaching with yours truly, you can book a complimentary session below and we’ll talk about next steps.
Wishing you all the best and much grace to you!
Cindy
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