The 7 Best Retirement Quotes

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Hilary Thompson14
Retirement. It’s a day you’ve been looking forward to for years. You dream about the days where you don’t have to set the alarm, fight rush-hour traffic or stress about deadlines. You may long for the days where can do absolutely nothing at all—completely guilt-free. Or maybe you’re excited to finally turn your hobby into a part-time job or work as a consultant. 
However you’re planning on spending your retirement, you’ve likely started preparing for all the changes retirement brings. You may be enrolling for Medicare, discovering new hobbies, or making arrangements for a trip to Europe. Whatever you’re hoping to do, you might be inspired by these seven quotes about retirement:

Inspirational Retirement Quotes

1. "Retirement is when you stop living at work and start working at living."—Unknown
Throughout your entire life, you’ve been competing with colleagues, pushing for a promotion, and angling for a raise. There’s the constant pressure to get ahead, move into a bigger office, and claim a higher title. Much of your time is spent working, which leaves little time for you to focus on other aspects of your life.
When you retire, the pressure to get ahead lifts. Gone are the days spent worrying about what your boss thinks about your performance. Instead, you get to focus your time on the people and activities you may have neglected while working.
2. "Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it to the fullest, but not so fully you run out of money."—Jonathan Clements
There are two types of people you see in a casino: the big spenders and the penny pinchers. Big spenders are the ones placing large bets at the roulette tables and aren’t concerned about their bank account. The penny pinchers are those who only spend the $20 in their pocket or are overly-worried about spending all their money.
These two people are seen in retirement as well. Some retirees spend their savings too fast, while others are hesitant to spend anything for fear of running out of money. The key to enjoying retirement without spending all your money is to find the right balance. Creating a realistic budget and preparing for the unexpected are just a few ways you can balance fun and responsibility.
3. "Don’t confuse what you do with who you really are."—Robert Laura
When you spend most of your life working, it’s easy to get trapped in the mindset that you are your job. This mindset can lead to disappointments and unnecessary struggles in early retirement. Without work, it can feel like your life no longer has meaning or purpose. 
To help you maintain your sense of purpose, it’s important to retire to something rather than from something. Having something or someone to fill up your retirement years will help you make the transition from corporate life to retirement. Perhaps you can spend more time with your partner, children, or grandchildren. Or maybe there's a hobby you've set aside, like gardening, for which you can make time.
4. "And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years."—Abraham Lincoln
One of the keys to a happy retirement is finding fulfilling ways to spend your time. A day sunbathing or watching movies is not a bad way to spend your time. The danger is when you spend most of your time in front of the television or curled up on a lawn chair. Doing nothing but leisure activities can lead to depression and loneliness. Luckily, there are ways to counteract these problems.
Finding activities that require regular physical exercise and social interaction help you avoid feeling unhappy and isolated during retirement. Learning new skills, traveling, volunteering, and teaching are all pastimes that help you feel fulfilled. 
5. "Retirement can be an opportunity to enjoy life in a new way, the right to stop work and do the 1,001 things you’ve always wanted to do but never had time for, and a chance to give yourself over to new challenges and adventures."—Sara Yogev
One of the biggest benefits of retirement is that you can freely rearrange your lifestyle and priorities. You finally have the chance to do the 1,001 things you’ve always wanted to do. Whether you’ve always wanted to write a novel, take a trip to South America, or learn how to scuba dive, you now have the time to do it. 
Don’t view retirement as an end to all your problems. Instead, look at it as the end to all your career-troubles. You no longer have to worry about pleasing your boss or putting enough hours in throughout the week. 
6. "Retirement is a time for personal growth, which becomes the path to greater personal freedom."—Mark Evan Chimsky
Once you retire, you finally have the freedom to do what you want, but on your own terms. Some of your time may be spent doing the activities you may have neglected while working. However, you’d be surprised at how much of your time is spent doing new activities. In fact, a study conducted by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave and reported by Huffington Post, shows that 78 percent of retirees want to try new leisure activities compared to what they've done already.
Exploring and developing new hobbies allows retirees to grow personally and make new memories. The more time you spend acquiring new skills, the greater the sense of happiness, contentment, and confidence you will feel. 
7. "The joys of retirement can be enjoyed here and now. You can pursue your passions, live your dreams and enjoy life while you are still working."—Rand Bennett
Whether you’re close to retirement or are a few years away, you can enjoy the benefits of retirement now. You don’t have to wait until you have endless amounts of free time to explore new hobbies or pursue your lifelong dreams. In your spare time, do something new. Spend some time working on your novel or planning your dream vacation. 
Taking the time to complete your goals while you’re working can help you be more productive during your retirement years. You’ll develop the discipline and diligence to achieve your goals instead of procrastinating. 

Make the Most of Your Retirement

When you retire, it may feel strange to go from continually working to having endless amounts of free time. But retirement can be a time of self-discovery, personal growth, and new opportunities. Rather than mourn your departure from the workforce, get excited about the chance you have to explore new hobbies and re-discover yourself. Hopefully, the quotes above inspire you to make the most out of your retirement.
What are your favorite quotes about retirement? Leave them in the comments below.