Structure and Certainty Part 2

Recently I wrote about the related concepts of structure and certainty; making the point that both are a natural part of life-at-work; yet postwork both will probably disappear: together.

What is to be done?

The first thing to say is that during that initial flush of retirement there is unlikely to be any urgency. You can start by feeling what it is like to be retired. It may feel strange because, all said, it’s something you have never experienced.

Without forcing it, over time, you will likely get some ideas about the structure that you want to have in your life postwork. This will centre around activities or plans that have meaning for you, the unique you, not someone else.

Build that structure, like a house, then celebrate the construction of each room - as each room starts to place some level of certainty in your life. Champagne corks everywhere. The bigger the structure the less the uncertainty I say.

Finally, stop this process when you want. It’s your house so you can build it to the size that suits you. And remember: it’s not a permanent structure-you can rebuild it - if you wish.

What about this idea: I hear that older people in Japan work in squads to clean streets or work on gardens; whether paid or not I have no idea: perhaps as a way of giving back to the community. An interesting idea.

Retirement: You won’t know what it is like until you get there.