Revitalizing Retirement: Reshaping Your Identity, Relationships, and Purpose

by Nancy K. Schlossberg

In preparation for retirement, we are often urged to build up our financial portfolio or perhaps down-size our home or move closer to family. Often neglected in this process, however, are the psychological ramifications that come with the transition into retirement. It is important for retirees to make a plan for their retirement financially, but also to take stock of their psychological portfolio at the same time. This means taking an honest look at how your sense of identity will change with retirement, how your relationships and support systems may change, and how your sense of purpose will be affected. Revitalizing Retirement gives unique guidance on how to create a happy, fulfilling retirement. Nancy K. Schlossberg, a counseling psychologist and author of Retire Smart, Retire Happy, describes the secret to a happy retirement. She encourages readers to reshape their identity, relationships, and purpose. She discusses several coping skills that deal with accepting change and help retirees continue to feel that they are vital members of their community and that they matter. Each chapter contains stories from actual retirees that demonstrate the numerous ways of pursuing an enjoyable retirement. There are short quizzes and discussion questions at the end of each chapter so that readers can reflect on what they have read and see exactly how it relates to their own lives. This book is a must-read for anyone considering retirement in the near future as well as current retirees who may be struggling to find happiness in their daily lives.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

241 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retirement is about more than $$$ and this book nails it!

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I would have rated this higher, but the beginning was a bit dry and I put the book down for a week before I decided to finish it. I especially appreciated the personal examples the author used to illustrate her concepts. I think that if you are contemplating retirement, this would be a good book to read so that you could map out your transitions. This also gives you a great deal of information to think about as you make this part of your life enjoyable and relevant.

[Kelly Miess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid advice for those in or considering retirement. I’m among the latter and it gave me some great ideas to pursue.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many "retirement" books and this was a good one. It was a little bit too clinical, but not bad. Definitely a recommended read.

I recently read a similar book "Retirement Reinvention: Make Your Next Act Your Best Act" which is also good and a bit more readable.

[Doug Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for those facing or recently in retirement. The author, Nancy Schlossberg is Emeritus Faculty from U of Maryland whose specialty was adult development and aging. She leads the SCOPOE sponsored Winter Forum on Aging in Sarasota, FL on February 26.

[Maureen]

lesson # 1 - mattering matters
lesson # 2 - take initiative in deciding on activities that will give you purpose and happiness