Battling The Retirement Treadmill

Apparently, I can’t get enough of treadmills. I talk about them constantly. I have discussed the hedonic, stoic, and achievement treadmills in the past. The problem is that the brain’s production of contentedness hormones depends on constant change. No matter how wonderful a purchase, achievement, or state of mind is, it quickly shifts into the default state. The happiness juices disappear, and it just becomes a new baseline. This is downright frustrating. Especially for those aspire towards RE. It is a strange kick in the face when you realize that indeed there is a retirement treadmill also.

Even retirement, the goalpost among goalposts, won’t exactly make you happy. It might for a few days or months. But those darn brain chemicals are unlikely to obey long term.

Here is how I plan to deal with it.

Routine

I know it’s counterintuitive, but the brain likes routine. In fact, I believe this is one of the key aspects of being content. Yes, we strive for new experiences. Yes, the idea of traveling constantly holds sway. But what really makes us feel good is having a certain expectation for how the day is going to go.

Even when out and about, certain routines help set the tone for the day. I generally try to wake up at the same time (4:45am), exercise at least an hour, and write for thirty minutes every day. No matter what. Regardless if I am in town or out.

These habits are an anchor, and strangely fight the grasp of the retirement treadmill. Even in this most free of life periods, having some constraints and routine is necessary.

Challenge

Let’s face it, part and parcel of the work experience is facing challenges. On most days. We have to rise to some occasion or another. This is especially true if you are moving up the corporate ladder, building a business, or striving to the upper echelons.

Similarly, avoiding the retirement treadmill means building challenge into your post work life. This can be physical or mental. The trick is to choose challenges that create some tension, but also don’t push the stress meter too far.

Podcasting is the perfect solution for me. It provokes of mix of fear and excitement that is perfect at this stage of my life. I still get butterflies before each recording, and yet I don’t find myself tossing and turning at night worrying about it.

Hobbies

I know. Who hasn’t heard this advice before?* You need something to retire t*oo. I am not wowing anyone with this advice, but there are some caveats.

The hobbies you pursue post retirement should be pure joy. There should be no stress involved. They should be activities that you can do for hours on end. Pick up at a moment. And drop just as quickly.

For me, this is reading fantasy fiction and mystery novels. I could do this all day. It is a guilty pleasure, except there is none of the guilt. I have carved out plenty of time each day to curl up with a book.

This is key in fighting the retirement treadmill. It is the go to activity instead of the TV or just abject laziness. It is your quick hit of pleasure that can be turned on or off with little energy.

Final Thoughts

Even retirement can get old. There is a retirement treadmill just like everything else. I suspect routine, challenges, and hobbies are just some of the ways to combat this strange phenomenon. I guess I could have added projects also. There is something glorious in a nice short term project.

Either way, your stubborn brain chemicals are fairly abstinent. You have to whip them into shape.

If you want to be happy, at least.