Navigating Life Alone: Embracing Life's Journey

Navigating life alone can be difficult and lonely

During retirement years, navigating life alone is a prospect that many of us will face.  This can be due to debilitating illness, death, divorce, and other factors that may be outside our control.  Life's unexpected events can take us down a path that we had not planned. 

It can be hard to make decisions without the support and guidance of another person. It can be hard to:  take on unexpected challenges without a partner or friend to help you; stay motivated when there is no one to encourage you; take pride in your accomplishments when no one is there to celebrate them with you; find joy in the little things when you are alone; fight the feelings of loneliness and to assure self-care when you are isolated. 

Navigating life alone can be empowering

It can be an opportunity to grow and to become more independent and self-sufficient. It can be a chance to explore your passions and interests without another’s influence. It can be: a time to reconnect with yourself and to prioritize your own needs and wants; an opportunity to make decisions on your own and to accept the consequences without another’s input; learn and to build self-confidence in yourself and your abilities. 

Navigating life alone is not easy, but it can be a rewarding and transformative experience if you allow it to be.

Retiring alone can be a daunting prospect, but it doesn't have to be. With planning and careful consideration, you can make your retirement comfortable and fulfilling.  Here are some tips for retiring alone:

Live Life Fully: What Do You Want Your Life to Look Like?

1. Embrace the challenges and live life fully.    

2. Create a retirement budget. Research the costs associated with the retirement lifestyle you would like to have. Estimate your income and expenses and determine what you can realistically afford.

3. Consider downsizing your home. Moving to a smaller, more affordable home can help you save money and make it easier to pay for the things you need.

Take Advantage of Benefits

4. Take advantage of benefits. Many states offer discounts and programs to seniors, so make sure you take advantage of them.

5. If you are divorced or widowed, you could start benefits earlier while still benefitting from a maximized benefit? You can first claim your earned benefit as soon as you are eligible and later switch to a survivor benefit (or the reverse, depending on which spouse has higher benefits).  (Adapted from "17 powerful Tips for Retiring Alone".

Take Care of Yourself

6. Make sure you have access to quality healthcare. Research your options, including Medicare and private insurance plans.

7. Take care of yourself. Make sure you are eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest.

Create a Support Network

8. Consider retiring to a retirement community where there are opportunities for social interaction and activities that share your values and interests. 

9. Have a support network.  There is no need to face life alone.  Reach out to family and friends and join social groups or activities that you enjoy.

Have a Will: Financial and Health Proxies

10. Create a Will and financial and health proxies. "Many married couples expect that they will be able to care for each other in case of a long-term care event. This is simply not the case for someone who is single. It is therefore extra important that you figure out how you want to be cared for and how you are going to pay for it."  (Quoted from: "17 powerful Tips for Retiring Alone".

Adopt a Pet

11. Adopt a pet (allow a pet to adopt you...)

Call to Action: Your Can Make Your Retirement Fulfilling.

Retiring alone can be a daunting prospect, but it doesn't have to be. With planning and careful consideration, you can make your retirement comfortable and fulfilling. 

                                        Photo: D. McCallister.  Mona Loa, Big Island, Hawaii
 

                                                      Photo: L Cook.  Colorado Columbine


FOR ADDITIONAL READING

17 Powerful Tips for Retiring Alone.  Kathleen Coxwell. MoneyTalksNews.  17 Powerful Tips for Retiring Alone (msn.com)

How to Retire Alone. When retiring single, evaluate what you need and set up your preferred retirement lifestyle.  Rachel Hartman.  U.S. News. How to Retire Alone (usnews.com)

Planning for Retirement as a Single Person.  If you’re unmarried and childless, you need special strategies for retirement saving, health care and estate planning—and a support network you can call on.  Kaitlin Pitsker.  Kiplinger.  Planning for Retirement as a Single Person | Kiplinger


                                                     Photo: L. McCallister.  Alaska Sunset.


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