Ted Kaufman

“assessing a new community, remember that retirement brings with it a different sense of your role and importance. If you’ve been a high achiever or in a prominent position, you’re probably accustomed, perhaps unconsciously, to a certain deference and to the recognition and privileges that attend your position. Leaving your position (whether you move or not) will change that. Moving into a different community will exacerbate this shifting sense of identity. Some welcome the freedom to redefine themselves, and others find it unsettling. If, or more likely when, you decide to downsize, be prepared for a potentially disruptive and upsetting process. You may very well be shocked at the amount of “stuff” you’ve accumulated. Decluttering will not be easy. Partners will likely discover quite different emotional attachments to certain possessions. You’ll likely discover that your kids really don’t want most of the stuff you thought they’d want, including items you value. The process will also take longer than you anticipate. When you complete the move to the smaller space, you’ll discover you didn’t dispose of nearly enough.”
― Ted Kaufman, Bruce Hiland, Retiring?: Your Next Chapter Is about Much More Than Money

“As you begin, remember that when it comes to shaping the next chapter of your life, there are no universal, generic, all-purpose, surefire methods. Nor answers. Nor formats. You may prefer getting it down on paper to help compare alternatives or sort out conflicts. Or you may find that, as one friend put it, “my plan kind of happened.” The right way is whatever works for you in your circumstances.”
― Ted Kaufman, Retiring?: Your Next Chapter Is about Much More Than Money