Is it Time to Change Everything?

10274 iStock 000001409016XSmall   Copy
10274 iStock 000001409016XSmall Copy

Retirement is a major life change. It is a very significant milestone in your life and will trigger a myriad of emotions, depending how you feel about your life to date. It is easy at one of these milestones to feel the urge to make a major statement or change. Is it the best idea?

You may have dreamed of retiring and moving overseas – to ramble the world and take in all the sights and experiences you may have missed while you devoted your life to work and family…That sounds great. Doesn’t it? Yes and no.

By all means, travel. By all means, make some changes. Just take some time to think. The day after you clear your desk is not the time to call the real estate agent, sell the house, bid the children and grandchildren farewell and take off to parts unknown.

Get to know yourself as a retired person. Create a new routine that doesn’t revolve around work. You may need to revise the way you socialise and how you see yourself. You are still a valuable member of society, even though you no longer have to be in an office at 9am every day.

There is beauty in accepting yourself in a new role. Possibilities will open up for you.

Try before you buy

If you want to retire overseas, do some reconnaissance. Go on a trip,  seek out the areas you may like to live, opportunities for recreation, travel or casual employment. Then come home and do more research. In your new location, what is the access to health care like? Can you find somewhere comfortable to call home within your budget? Will your family be able to visit easily? Does your spouse really want to move overseas? Are you running to something, or away from something? Will you actually be able to live there long term? How does your family feel about your idea?

Moving country is a huge decision. Perhaps it is best to rent your home out for a year or two, rather than selling, in case Utopia turns out to be less than you imagined. Maybe all you need is some time out – a new challenge and a new focus…?

If retiring overseas is what you really want to do and it feels 100% right, then good luck on your new adventure!