The Mental Health Benefits Of Working in Retirement

I used to be obsessed with retirement. It didn’t matter if I liked my work or not; I was fascinated by the idea of retirement. 

I don’t know if it is the idea of pure time freedom or the magic of the numbers. To be honest, it is probably a combination of both. 

Understanding assets and how they can work in your favor is extremely important and liberating. But a profound shift happened once I got closer to not having to work as much. 

A few years ago, something changed for me financially. No, it didn’t happen overnight, but when it did happen, I almost missed it. I actually hit the goal quicker than I realized. 

I had reached a point where I knew our retirement would be taken care of because of the asset development I have done over the years. 

As a result, I no longer had to be concerned about retirement, and I could take my foot off the gas of earning. And that is just what I did. I downsized my business and took time off. 

It was incredibly liberating. I had known for a while that I wanted to restructure Jones Coaching Group, but I didn’t know how it should change. I was ready for something new, but first, I didn’t really want to work at the level I had been for a while. 

It was glorious! LOL! I spoke about some of this in a past email. So let’s fast forward a little more than a year down the line. 

I was a new mother. I thought that I wouldn’t work for two years while I took care of our son. Between my passive income and other money I had saved, I could make that happen without disrupting our lives financially. 

I lasted two months. LOL! TWO MONTHS! 

I couldn’t believe it! Two months into having a baby, I was ready to go back to work. So, that is what I did for only a couple of hours a week. And it was a game-changer for me mentally.  

I created the Business Group with a handful of women, and it made a huge difference for my mental health. I love taking care of our son, but I needed the diversity in my day. I needed to be a mommy and entrepreneur. 

Working again helped me link my past self to my current self. 

Everyone has a different journey in motherhood, and for the first year of my son’s life, I have spent my days caring for him and working on my business simultaneously. 

At six months old, we got a nanny for 15 hours a week. But I am right there and rarely leave the house. I work on my business and go downstairs to play with him or soothe him if he cries. 

My Business Group hears him talking in the background as I leave them messages. He is my business partner. LOL! 

A few months down the line, my mindset about retirement continued to change. 

I could see myself working part-time for fun well past the retirement age of 67. In fact, I don’t see an end date or age. 

Working past retirement age would… 

• keep me physically and mentally active. 

• continue to help me socially. 

• give my day purpose and structure. 

• Plus, I find work to be fun. 

It is very different choosing to work as opposed to having to work to pay your bills. 

Now, from a personal finance standpoint, everyone should operate as if they will retire. We reach a point where we can’t or may not want to trade our time for dollars. No one should operate as if they will be able or want to work for the rest of their lives. 

But choosing to work for your happiness can be an option. 

For me, I truly understand the importance of work for my social and mental health. I am thankful for this new level of understanding and appreciation for work.

At the same time, I know that being an entrepreneur and having control over my… 

• Time

• Colleagues

• Schedule

• And the work I do

…has a lot to do with my level of happiness. 

I am lucky that I have had such a diverse experience in my working life. I have been in jobs that have created a tremendous amount of stress. I have managed people and been managed. I have failed at past businesses and been incredibly successful at this business. I have had the ability not to work and still choose to work.

All of these experiences have taught me the beauty of having work you can enjoy. Work that can feel your soul, provide a challenge, and bring happiness.

If you are working just to be able to retire in your future, I don't blame you. I have been there. But if you want work that feels like you don't need to retire because it is filling your cup, it is possible.