retirement
A thoughtful approach that considers both sides is paramount when considering such a major life decision. It’s also valuable to hear different people’s perspectives.
Those with white-collar or leadership roles tend to view themselves as happier than those with blue-collar jobs. Disparities of overall happiness exist throughout the globe.
In response to chronic stress, a body under allostatic load can benefit greatly from rest. However, as we reach a point of recovery from these stressors, unadulterated rest can lead to a decline in physical and mental health.
The first phase of a retirement is often filled with pleasure: copious rest, travel, or other forms of adventure. Our lives can become a rad highlight reel on Instagram, but pleasures don’t ultimately replace purpose.
After we retire—or even with a solo entrepreneurial endeavor—creating, cultivating, and maintaining relationships can be difficult. Maintaining a strong social community is a key element of life contentment.
This is one of the primary reasons I have found those who retire early reluctant to share their story. There is a fear that a family member or stranger might want to slip in on that financial harvest grown after years of careful and loving cultivation.
A true retirement requires us to really have our finances dialed. Some early retirement enthusiasts believe that their worst-case scenario is simply everyone else’s everyday scenario—i.e., they can just go back to work.