Why we need to set boundaries for our time in retirement

The big prize of retirement for many of us is to have more time.

We may dream of being able to take that extended trip overseas, spending more time with family and friends, or committing to regularly volunteering for a cause that is important to us.

In my blog post “Too much time or not enough?” I wrote about the uncertainty of how much time we have in the context of years, and the importance of not waiting for ‘the perfect time’ to do the things that matter to us.

Here I want to focus on setting boundaries for our time in retirement on a day-to-day basis, and how we manage our time in the short-term to sustain ourselves in the medium and longer-term.

When we see ourselves, and others see us, as having ‘free time’, there can be an expectation or assumption that this means we are ‘available’. This is not always true.

For the introverts of us, we can need time to recharge by ourselves. And for the extroverts, spending time with others is the recharge that requires a protective boundary. The postponed DIY project may need to wait a little longer, or better yet, have someone join you.  

To maintain and strengthen our relationships, we need to be able to decide how much time to spend with people. For some of us spending more time together is what we need, for others we may find that less is more.

And for those in the sandwich generation, caring for elderly parents as well as children or grandchildren, feeling the time squeeze can also have an impact on our wellbeing and how we feel about the people we care for. 

Being aware of what’s important to you and understanding what activity and rest you need in your life are important factors in managing your time in retirement.

For one-to-one support in focusing your time and setting boundaries, contact me for a conversation about how we can work together.  

P.S. To receive weekly emails to your inbox with blog articles, resources and Second Spring service information about retirement life planning, sign up to our newsletter here.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link at the end of emails.