If you are a new listener to the show, we have a lot of back episodes where you can find information that you're looking for. But starting with Episode 239, which was three episodes ago, we started following the life of Barbara mock. This is section one of this one year project, there will be 12 sections, which we will release on a monthly basis, so be sure to subscribe.

Have You Made That Decision Yet?

Today, Barbara, and I talk about the messy middle. This is the place where you have made the decision to retire. But you're not retired yet. You're getting ready. You're planning. you're filling out forms, taking classes, creating your checklist, checking things off, it's during this messy middle. That things start to get real, it starts to get a little scary.

You're looking at how permanent your decision is. This is the part where things can get a little messy at home too. Because even though we might have discussed it with our significant other, when it starts to get real, things can pop up that you didn't think about before. And as Barbara promised, when she embarked on this journey with us, she tells us everything. Remember Barbara promise to be vulnerable.

The Messy Middle

Barbara is halfway through looking back and halfway through looking forward to that retirement. The other day, it's fall in the Pacific Northwest, raking leaves on a gorgeous sunny day. Suddenly, she kind of felt like the changing of the seasons is a metaphor for what she's going through right now. When she first started in the summer, everything was new and bright and shiny and exciting, full of energy. Now that fall has arrived, having wind and rain and leaves flying everywhere, she's thinking that's a picture of how she's feeling right now. And then as winter comes she would just like to curl up with a good book and sit by the fire.

But I'm thinking that spring is going to be my new life. And I'm going to be coming out of this season of the past and looking forward. And in some ways that is exciting. But it's also a little scary because it's so permanent.

Once You've Made that Decision, There's No Coming Back

Once you make that decision, you're going to retire. I'm sure there, you could go back on that, but I'm not. So I know, there's a state certain out there. And I think our listeners, Barbara had talked earlier about a book she has been reading called, Your Retirement Quest: 10 Secrets for Creating and Living a Fulfilling Retirement by Alan Spector and Keith Lawrence. If you're the type of person that really wants to think about and plan for your retirement, not related to money, this book is highly recommended for you.

As each chapter unfolded, it was exciting. It was fun. At the end of each chapter, it suggests to you to answer some questions. What are you going to stop doing? What are you going to continue doing? And what are you going to do that's new? Those are really, really fun questions to explore and think about. So Barbara churned through these 10 keys, these 10 secrets, and then she got stuck. She couldn't figure out why. Because the very next step is to create your plan for retirement.

Barbara's Vision for Retirement

After so much thought into it and so much back and forth with her husband, Barbara finally knew what her vision for retirement is. She's a little vulnerable in saying it but as she said before, she's committed that she'll be open about this.

Barbara's greatest ambition is to please Jesus, above all else. Continue to love and be loyal to her best friend and husband. Full of gratitude for her family and friends. Embrace adventure and travel for the opportunity to learn and grow. Kind, thoughtful, and compassionate to those in need. And focus on her physical, spiritual, and emotional well being so that she can bring joy to others through service in my community. That is who she is and who she aspires to be.

Retirement Is A Messy Middle

If you're thinking about retirement, it is almost like a journal. With projects, at the beginning of a project, you're really excited. You're envisioning this future, but it gets really messy in any project and there's never a straight line from A to B. It's whirling around back and forth. And if you're impatient like Barbara, you want to get to the finish line, you want to get it done.

If you're anticipating retirement, don't rush this part, rest in it, analyze it, think about it, talk to your friends, talk to your family. And at some point, try to get it down on paper, because that means then you're likely to get it done.

Read all of Barbra's blog posts by visiting https://www.rockyourretirement.com/blog/

Mentioned in this episode:

Barbara's Amazing Retirement Journey: Section 1
Canceled Plans Before Retirement – Ep 241
Your Retirement Quest: 10 Secrets for Creating and Living a Fulfilling Retirement

This post of Retirement and Retirement Lifestyle first appeared on http://RockYourRetirement.com

Rocking Retirement Gal

Kathe Kline has been working with retirees for over 25 years. She discovered that retirement is not just about money and insurance, but is also about: Social & Family; Adventure & Travel; Volunteer & Philanthropy; Spirit & Soul, Sexual issues, and Sandwich Generation issues or helping your Family members as they age

This site will host the podcast interviews that we will do with people who are Rocking their own Retirement, or who provide services to you so that you can Rock Your Retirement!

Rock on!