The Desire Not to Retire

We constantly hear that it’s a crisis that Generation X won’t be able to retire at the “typical” time. That the forgotten generation is getting screwed over once again.

Never mind that longer, healthier lives make retirement in your mid 60s a tough assignment. The prospect of running out of funds before you run out of time is scary.

And then we see President Joe Biden, who at age 81 felt willing and able to serve in the most demanding and consequential position in the world for four more years. It was only when his ability to do so was questioned by enough influential people that Biden put his country above his pride and stepped aside.

Fact is, many people resist the idea of retirement. Those with fulfilling, purposeful positions know they’d be giving up way more than they’d gain by settling into some mythical “golden years” scenario.

Abandoning an established identity, losing the ability to do meaningful work, and the relationships that evaporate once that work is gone are three powerful reasons why people desire NOT to retire. And they usually only step aside once it becomes clear that it’s time to move on.

Perhaps the real crisis is in the millions who don’t feel fulfillment at work. Instead they can’t wait to escape a soulless role, only to discover that retirement isn’t all that great either.

I don’t believe most people want to quit work and do nothing. I think they desperately want to do something that matters more than what they’re doing now.

No one’s saying you have to work until 82, as Joe Biden will be when he leaves office. Or 86 like Jane Fonda. Or 93 like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett.

But odds are if you find a renewed sense of purpose at midlife, you’ll want to keep going longer than you may think. And your overall experience of life will be better for it.

Further exploration:

Why People Resist Retirement

Keep going-

Brian Clark

P.S. New to Further? Join us here.

Prevent Defense

Amid a rising number of cancer cases among adults in the United States, a new study has found that around 40% of all cases — and nearly half of deaths — could be prevented by making lifestyle changes.

Study Finds Nearly Half Of Adult Cancer Deaths In Us Could Be Prevented: Here Are Lifestyle Choices To Change (ABC News)

Fish are Friends…

But they’re also food. Really healthy food. Sorry I spoiled the curiosity-infused headline below, but you can’t pass up the chance to make a Finding Nemo reference when you get one.

The One Food Nutritionists Are Begging People Over 50 to Start Eating ASAP (Parade)

Buy Low, Sell High

Beyond that timeless stock tip, you’re looking for real value from a financial advisor in these days of apps and robo-investing. Here’s what to look for.

How to Get Your Money’s Worth From Your Financial Adviser (Kiplinger)

Expat Intelligence

The first step in moving to sunnier shores is to decide on a shortlist of other countries that could be your new home base. A good starting point is to listen to those who’ve already moved on. The top spot on this list was already on our shortlist, and you’ll see why.

Expats Rank The Best Places To Live In The World (Forbes)

Resilience is The Healthiest Choice

By Trudi Roth

Statistically speaking, by the time we’re in our mid-50s, more than two-thirds of us will have at least one chronic medical condition.

Realistically speaking, when it’s your diagnosis, it’s panic-inducing. I’m speaking from recent experience when a routine physical blood test showed slightly elevated “bad” cholesterol (LDL). Probably not a big deal, my doctor said, but given my family history, she ordered a coronary artery calcium scan.

Still, I wasn’t worried until a few days after the test when my doctor rang me at 8:00 am, almost giving me a heart attack. Sadly, this metaphor is a little too on point — she was calling to let me know my results were in the 98th percentile. Typically, Type A me loves high scores, but this time, not so much. It means I’m at high risk for heart disease and need to see a specialist for further testing.

Meanwhile, the first available cardiologist appointment isn’t for six weeks, which feels like an eternity. So, to bide my time, I’m developing a new expertise: beating scanxiety.

High Scanxiety

“Scanxiety” is precisely what it sounds like:

The anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness patients feel in the days or weeks before a scan or test, during the scan, and in the days and weeks before the results are in.

While worry is a wasted emotion, it’s natural, especially when you’ve received bad news and are in a holding pattern. Research on cancer patients shows that 83% experience scanxiety.

This is where resilience comes in. As we all learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, flexibility and adaptability are the keys to coping with the unknown.

Don’t Worry, Be Scrappy

I’ll admit the first couple of days of scanxiety were intense. While my logical mind tried to remind me I hold the Further Longevity Trinity (exercise, nutrition, sleep) sacred and meditate daily, my active imagination threatened to drag me into an angst-ridden abyss.

So, here are some tips for coping with scanxiety:

• Tell yourself another story: “You got this” is a great opening line. Keep things in perspective and avoid catastrophizing.
• Take action to help you cope: Not everything is out of your hands; make plans for things you’ll need, like insurance coverage, a few days off work, etc.
• Go with the flow: Immerse yourself in the things you love, and let the flow state whisk you away, at least for a little bit. (Mindfulness helps with this.)
• Avoid negative thinking: In other words, stop Googling! Knowledge is power, but rabbit holes can be scary.
• Get support: You’re not alone; fostering connection and community bolsters your resilience.

Ultimately, your attitude is the cure for scanxiety. By consciously directing your attention in proactive and productive directions, you’ll find that its worst symptoms, including fear, frustration, anger, and sadness, fade away. It’s an excellent prescription, and I say that from the ♥️.

Scanxiety: 5 Tips for Coping When You’re Waiting for a Diagnosis (Everyday Health)