Winter is a time of deep reflection. We imagine drinking cocoa, wrapped in blankets by a roaring fire, rather than sunshine days of seashore fun. The stillness of the cold air slows our lifestyles down. The shorter days make us lean into longer spaces of rest. Using this natural time for thoughtful review is an incredibly valuable tool for the retiree who wants to continue to flourish.
With the wide-open opportunities of retirement, it’s key that we intentionally consider our choices and habits to make the most of the golden time we have left. The closing of one year and anticipation of a new one begs the question, “What part of my life needs a fresh start?”
Some parts of our life may need an overhaul. But before we “jump in” to the action, it’s important to strategically consider who we are and what we want our life to mean. Change is not limited to simply doing things differently but also includes reorienting our thinking. This kind of change to our thoughts is necessary for creating new habits—the ultimate change in behavior.
The starting point is intentional reflection, perfect for this sedentary season. We start by thinking about WHO we are and WHO we want to be as we grow as a person. As we consider WHY we want to change, it leads is to reflect on our Life Purpose and HOW we live our life accordingly. (TIP: use the tools that work best for you. For many, journaling is helpful to track and compare your thoughts. Others benefit from connecting with a dear friend who can share the journey.)
The motivation needed to change must be tied to our values to provide us with the resolve to make changes in our behavior, but they work in tandem. Our values motivate us to change, and the changes in behavior reinforce or values, giving us additional motivation to change. In time, we will have not only reoriented our thinking and adopted new behavior patterns, but we will have also become a person whose new behavior patterns are more consistent with our values.
Think about the changes you need to make in your life and how those actions are tied to your beliefs and values, then resolve to make changes in your behavior while experiencing the personal growth you desire in the New Year.
On your journey, consider these questions:
1) Where do we want to have an IMPACT in this stage in our life and what do we want that to look like?
What difference do you love to make? What excites you, makes you come alive? Having an impact is changing something around you, by the part you play. This takes getting involved, getting active, and leaning in. In the quiet of snowy thoughts, why not consider if there are any people or causes that you deeply want to connect with. What steps could you take to engage more?
2) In which parts of my life do I want to continue growing as a person?
Growth is a continual outcome of a vibrant life, and when don’t just use rest to reflect and refill, but we stay stuck, decay sets in. Be intentional to consider areas you want to lean into this year (to nurture so you can grow to more beautifully embrace who you want most to be) and pull away from those parts of your life that you are okay with them withering away…and perhaps you may even want them to.
For retirees who want to grab hold of life fully, the introspection of winter is important fodder to prepare us for the renewal of spring.
