Only last week I received a WhatsApp message from a friend in Australia, asking if it was true that I had retired. Although, marvelling how quickly news can travel over such long distances these days , I was also stung by the question.
Why stung? What is it about the word, ‘retirement’ that makes me want to create an enormous home made placard and walk the streets of London and, if necessary, Melbourne, saying, ” NEVER ME!”?
It’s not as if I have a single negative role model.
Barrack Obama didn’t retire when he passed on the baton of the free world and its 20 trillion dollar GDP. David Beckham didn’t retire, from life, after a career in football. 10 million Turkish people, who can take Government retirement as early as 50 years of age, do not, I can assure you, sit at home watching Turkish soap operas.
The implication of retirement is, of course, that you are : old, coming to the end of your value and slowing to a standstill.
Can it be further from the truth? David Attenborough at 97 years old is near single-handedly representing the world’s conservation crisis. Lots of immensely talented people are writing books to impart wisdom. Others : painting, writing music, writing plays, film, lecturing, mentoring, providing nourishing childcare and family support, working new jobs and supporting charities. Millions of people, happily, finding new time on their hands, spend money and keep our economies functioning.
As for me. After 40 years of work, I see my working career as only half way through, and ( all being well) the potential for another 40 years.
When the older me climbs to the top of that mountain to awe at the spectacular view, and reflect on what I have achieved, I won’t be thinking, oh yes, I retired in 2023. I will be reflecting on a time of : exciting transition, to new learning, new goals, ambitions and adventures.
I vote we replace the word “retirement”, as a period of time, with the word, ” transition”.
Please, no one use the word, “retirement” and “Kate” in the same sentence…
(photo : charlotte carlson, unsplash)
Comments
4 responses to “Let’s stop using the word retirement !”
Very well said !!
As a person well and truly enjoying my new life, I agree it’s transitional to something new and exciting.
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Since leaving full-time employment, I have not stopped – I have a job-list that is growing exponentially and two dogs that mop up any non-allocated moments.
I am too busy gardening to read my gardening magazines – thank goodness for hair appointments which force me to read them.
Whatever life is now, it certainly isn’t boring.
I have never worked as hard, for as long, or been more exhausted! Don’t tell my former boss though!
Life on the Yorkshire Moors. Who wouldn’t want it! Xx