Dear Dr. LeCrone:
I have worked very hard for many years with a goal of retiring next year when I am 65.
Due to the economic downturn of the last year or so, my retirement nest egg has decreased in value by about 20 percent. My home, which I was planning to sell anyway, has also decreased in value, and the consequences of all of this is that I know I have to alter my retirement plans.
I am very disappointed, shocked, and even bitter about not being able to pursue the dreams of retirement that I have looked forward to for many years. Although I know that these emotions are not healthy for me, I can’t seem to move ahead with my life. Could you give me some assistance in your newspaper column?
-A reader in Indiana
Dear Reader:
You are certainly not alone in this situation. Our country faces great challenges at the present time, which give rise to concern about many issues including retirement.
Let me begin by asking you to consider the following statement: “I can choose to make my future brighter and more successful, or I can choose to struggle with issues over which I have little or no control and make my future much less healthy and unhappy.”
If you consider the first of these two choices, then you are making the conscious decision to move on with your life in a positive fashion. If not, then prepare yourself for further emotional decline.
Step far enough away from the situation to examine your future options broadly. Shift your thinking from what you believe that you should, ought or must deserve in this situation and instead face reality.
Although we can plan for the future there are very few guarantees. Redefining the future because circumstances change is a component of being resilient.
Working farther into your future, either full or part time, in your current job or something different can be viewed as an opportunity to help both yourself and those who can benefit from your years of experience and training. If necessary or desirable, consider switching to a new career which offers more job satisfaction and gives you a chance to embrace and enjoy change.
View you work experience and training as an investment for your future needs, which you now have the opportunity to cash in and benefit from.
Good luck to you and I wish you well.
Hi.
I’m an experienced Clinical Practitioner, Administrator, Professional Writer, and Lecturer.
