Author: Margot Krekeler

As we approach retirement or settle into it, we’re often told to slow down, wind things down, or just enjoy the quiet.

But what if this next phase of our lives is actually an opportunity to design an entirely new life – or even three?

Retirement isn’t just the end of our professional careers. It’s the beginning of a new phase filled with possibility.

Bill Burnett and Dave Evans introduced the concept of ‘Odyssey Planning’ in their book, ‘Designing Your Life’, which can be a powerful tool not just for young professionals but for anyone ready to reimagine what comes next.

Let’s adapt this concept to the design of our retirement life.

The key idea: There is no single “correct” path to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

We are all capable of living many different, meaningful lives. We are free to plan whatever we want, and if our current plan doesn’t work out as planned, we can change direction.

Retirement design isn’t about finding the perfect life or fixing something broken. It’s about exploring all the different, equally valid versions of our future.

The key?

Let’s stop trying to find the one “perfect” plan and start generating multiple good ones. Then, we can decide to explore one of them deeper.

Odyssey Planning for Retirement: How it works

Create three different versions of the next 5 years of your life. Each one represents a life you could actually live.

Life 1: Continue as Planned

This version is your current idea for retirement. Maybe you’ve started volunteering, joined some clubs, or plan to travel more. You’re building on what you already know or are already doing.

Life 2: Pivot

Now imagine that Life 1 is no longer an option. What would you do instead? What else could bring meaning, structure, or joy to your days?

Life 3: The dreamer’s life

This is your “if money and reputation didn’t matter” life. The one you secretly think about but haven’t dared explore. Maybe you’d start a creative project, open a small business, move somewhere unexpected, or dive into a long-delayed passion.

What to include in each of the 3 life plans plan:

1. 1. Headline
      Give each plan a title that captures its spirit. For example: “Helping others and learning new things daily.”
   2. Timeline
      A simple sketch of what happens year by year – include personal milestones, travel, learning, projects, and family events.
   3. Questions & Answers

Explore and rate each plan on these four scales:

• • • Resources: Do you have what you need?
    • Excitement: Does this plan light you up?
    • Confidence: Do you believe you could do this?
    • Coherence: Does it fit with your values?

CASE STUDY

Helen, 67, recently retired from a career in education. She wanted to feel valuable and engaged, but was unsure what her next step should be.

• • Life 1: “Teaching without the school bells”
    She tutors immigrant women in English, volunteers at her library, and travels locally with a friend group.
  • Life 2: “Home and garden immersion”
    She focuses on turning her backyard into a permaculture garden, joins a sustainability group, and hosts weekend gardening classes.
  • Life 3: “Adventure Granny”
    She buys a campervan and travels around Australia, documenting local histories and interviewing elders for a podcast.

Helen finally didn’t pick just one life. She blended parts of all three life plans and is now living a deeply satisfying post-retirement life.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

Draw your three life plans. Give them titles, add timelines. Ask yourself bold questions. And answer them!

See what happens when you get curious instead of committed too quickly. Don’t worry about what’s realistic – worry about what’s energising.

Odyssey Planning is about opening doors in our minds –  and in our lives.

It’s a playful, powerful way to stay in charge of our lives – especially at a time when society often expects us to step back.

In the newsletter issue #4, I discussed the ADA Framework (Awareness/Decision/Action), which you can apply to help you set priorities and goals and create an action plan for your retirement.

The ‘ABCs of Meaning’ is another framework suitable for the preparation and design of your retirement life:

Bruce Feiler’s book Life Is in the Transitions (2020) offers a powerful approach to help you find balance and meaning in this new stage.

Based on his research and interviews with 225 people about their life transitions, Feiler sees life not as a straight line but as a series of smaller and bigger disruptions. He calls the bigger ones ‘lifequakes’.

On average, we go through three to five lifequakes over our lifetime.

Retirement is one such lifequake – a major transition where you are challenged to redefine your purpose and create a new balance of meaning.

The ABCs of meaning can guide you as you navigate your transition into retirement:

• • A – Agency: This refers to autonomy, freedom, creativity, and mastery. It’s the belief that you have the ability and power to design and live the life you want.
  • B – Belonging: This includes relationships, community, friends, and family. It’s about the people who support and nurture you – and whom you nurture.
  • C – Cause: This is a calling, a mission, a direction, a purpose, or a transcendent commitment beyond yourself that makes life worthwhile.

We all have all three of the ABCs of meaning within us, but we constantly weigh and reweigh these elements in response to life events.

Consider questions like the following to explore your ABCs:

• • Agency: How can you maintain a sense of independence and fulfilment now that you’re not working? Are there new skills or projects you’d like to pursue?
  • Belonging: What relationships can you deepen, and how might you cultivate new connections? Are there groups or communities you’re interested in joining?
  • Cause: What causes resonate with your values, and how can you contribute? Are there areas where you’d like to mentor, volunteer, or support a cause?

Your retirement journey is an opportunity to redefine and rebalance the ABCs to best suit your evolving needs.

The key is to find a balance of the ABCs – Agency, Belonging, and Cause – that works for you now.

Stay curious and open to experimenting and exploring. This is a dynamic and ongoing process.

In the following newsletter issue, I will share the concept of ‘Odyssey Planning’ to help you experiment and explore how you want to spend your time and energy in retirement.

Why is decluttering the perfect way to prepare for a retirement life you’ll love and enjoy?

If you plan to downsize or move, the answer is obvious: your first big project is to declutter your current home. You need to reduce the number of your belongings and adapt the type of furniture and items to the size and layout of your new space.

But even if you wish to stay where you are, your lifestyle will change in retirement. This next chapter of your life brings new priorities, needs, and routines; you’ll want your personal environment to reflect and support those changes.

So, whether you’re staying or moving, there will be practical reasons to declutter at the start of retirement.

However, there are also deeper, less obvious reasons why a major decluttering project can be one of the most powerful ways to prepare for a fulfilling retirement.

Here are 3 reasons why decluttering now will help you create the life you want—and avoid confusion, disappointment, and regret later:

1 – Understanding what you currently have helps you decide what you want to have in the future.

Most people are unaware of how much they’ve accumulated over time. Decluttering helps you take stock – and make thoughtful decisions.

Let’s take one example: work-related clothes.

Step 1 – Take everything out so you can see what you have.
Pull out all your business clothes. Every suit, shirt, dress, pair of shoes.

Step 2 – Sort everything into categories.
Perhaps you categorise them into suits, shirts, ties, shoes, and so on.

Step 3 –  Take each item in your hands and ask yourself: Do I still need this?
Will I wear this in the future? When? How often? Does it fit the life I want now?

Seeing what you have – and asking these questions – helps you get clear on what still matters and what no longer does.

2 – Identifying your values and priorities helps shape your future.

Taking inventory of your life gives you insight into what you truly value.

Even sorting through your work wardrobe can spark clarity:

• • “I never liked these dark suits. I want to wear brighter colours.”
  • “I love having the freedom to choose what to wear now. Where else could I invite more freedom?”
  • “The old dress code was easy, but I missed spontaneity. Maybe it’s time to experiment again.”

Simple observations like these can help you reconnect with forgotten parts of yourself and imagine new possibilities.

3 – Letting go of the past creates space and clarity for your future.

Once you know what matters now, you can let go of what no longer fits. That creates space—not just in your home, but in your mind and life.

Step 1 – Decide what you want to keep and why.
For example, you might decide to keep one black suit, two white shirts, two ties, and a pair of black shoes for formal occasions.

Step 2 – Remove what you no longer need.
Sort the rest into donation and rubbish bags – and get them out of the house.

Step 3 – Organise what’s left with care.
Place your chosen items in a clean, spacious wardrobe. Let the space reflect how you want to feel: clear, calm, and ready.

A major decluttering project at the start of retirement will help you create the life you want to live now.

Because when you’re done,

• • you’ll know yourself better,
  • you’ll have redefined your values and priorities, and
  • you’ll walk into your future with more clarity, lightness, and confidence.
  • And with more physical space and order in your home, of course. 😊

What do you think?

Are you ready to tackle a major decluttering project – so you can create space and openness for your new life?

Retirement is a significant transition.

After years of structure, responsibilities, and goals tied to work, many of us ask, “What now?”

The search for purpose can feel exciting – but it can also feel overwhelming.

We hear or read that a strong sense of purpose is linked to better health, longer life, and greater happiness.

But what exactly does the term ‘purpose’ mean? And how can we ‘find new purpose’ when we enter retirement?

From my clients and from my own experience, I know that searching for purpose can leave us feeling stressed, lost, or inadequate.

That’s why I got very excited when I found an article (Jordan Grumet, ‘The Purpose Paradox’, Psychology Today, 01-2025.) offering an overview of

The concepts of purpose anxiety, Big-P Purpose, and little-p purpose

After studying and applying the concepts, I still haven’t found a final definition of my personal purpose. But I am making progress, and I no longer feel anxious or stressed about the search.

I trust you will also find the concepts helpful.

Let’s break them down and see how they can help us ‘find’ purpose:

Purpose Anxiety: The struggle to “find” meaning

Purpose anxiety is the frustration, stress, or even sadness that comes from trying to “find” a grand, singular purpose. We may believe that retirement should come with a clear mission or that we must reinvent ourselves to stay relevant.

If you have ever thought, “I should be doing something more meaningful, but I don’t know what,” you have experienced purpose anxiety.

The good news?

There’s no single, perfect purpose waiting to be discovered!

Instead, we can redefine purpose more simply and practically by differentiating two types of purpose.

Big-P Purpose versus little-p purpose

• • Big-P Purpose refers to grand, goal-driven aspirations – writing a bestselling book, starting a nonprofit, or leaving a lasting legacy. While these goals can feel fulfilling, they can also feel daunting, especially if they seem out of reach. And they can be hard to ‘find’ and define.
  • Little-p purpose is different. It is about the small, meaningful activities that bring joy and fulfilment in everyday life. Teaching a grandchild how to cook, volunteering at a local shelter, exploring an unknown area of your town, or learning a new skill can all be sources of purpose.

Many of us have spent our careers chasing Big-P Purpose – working hard, building something significant, achieving milestones.

But retirement offers a chance to shift our focus to little-p purpose, where meaning comes from the process rather than the outcome.

Practical ways to find purpose in retirement

Instead of waiting for a grand revelation, we can create purpose in small, intentional ways.

Here are some suggestions:

#1 – Revisit what you enjoyed before work took over

Think back to activities that once brought you joy. Maybe it was painting, gardening, writing, reading, travelling, or hiking. Retirement is a chance to return to those interests without time pressure and with new energy and engagement.

#2 – Shift from achievement to engagement

Instead of asking, “What should I accomplish?” ask, “What do I enjoy doing? How do I want to spend the day?” You don’t need to build something big to make a difference – small, consistent actions matter just as much – if they matter to you.

#3 – Experiment without success expectation

Try new things without worrying about mastery or impact. Take a class, join a group, or explore a hobby. The goal could be not to be the best but to stay engaged and curious. And if you no longer enjoy the activity, try something else!

#4 – Invest in relationships that matter to you

Purpose doesn’t have to be tied to individual success. Helping others can be fun instead of a responsibility; mentoring younger people can also help you grow; simply strengthening existing friendships can bring deep fulfilment.

#5 – Give yourself permission to change your mind

Your sense of purpose will evolve. What excites you today may no longer feel exciting tomorrow, and that is okay. Decide to let go of the need to define it perfectly – just keep moving toward what feels meaningful to you right now.

Maybe purpose in retirement is not about chasing something grand or creating life-changing experiences.

Maybe it’s about finding joy in the present, engaging with what matters to us in this moment, and embracing the freedom to explore various interests and passions without pressure.

I suggest we empower ourselves to step away from purpose anxiety.

Instead of searching for one big thing, let’s celebrate the process of living and the small moments that make life meaningful to us. Because, in the end, purpose is not so much about what we achieve – it is much more about how we live.

What do YOU think?

About these concepts of purpose?

And about your purpose?

Today’s article offers a break from the more complex thought work required in the first four issues of the newsletter.

I suggest focusing on just one question this week: to think about it, answer it and then act on it.

The question comes from James Clear (3-2-1 Thursday newsletter, 06.03.25):

“1 Question for you

What single habit, if implemented consistently for the rest of this year, would transform your life the most?”

Here is a list of some examples of daily habits and the positive impact they could have on our lives.

Perhaps one of them is the perfect choice for you?

• • Daily movement – Commit to a daily walk, stretching, or strength training to maintain mobility, energy, and overall health.
  • Daily small-scale decluttering – Simplify life by letting go of physical and digital clutter, creating a more peaceful environment.
  • Daily morning reflection – Spend 5 or 10 minutes each morning journaling, meditating, or setting an intention for the day – for more mindfulness.
  • Daily learning – Engage in a new skill, hobby, or study subject each day to keep the mind sharp and curiosity alive.
  • Daily socialising – Call, message, or meet one person daily to nurture relationships and prevent isolation.
  • Daily gratefulness – End each day by writing down three things you are grateful for, cultivating a positive mindset.
  • Daily screen time limits – Set boundaries on TV, social media, and news consumption to stay present and engaged with real life.
  • Daily joyfulness – Do something fun or personally fulfilling every day – it doesn’t have to have a purpose or create a measurable result. But it must bring you joy.

Is there anything on the list that resonates?

If not –

You can use this simple exercise to find ‘your super habit’:

• • Pick 3 life areas you currently are not too happy about.
  • For each of them, choose one behaviour or activity that, if consistently done, would noticeably improve the situation in this area of ​​your life.
  • Now pick one of the three habit ideas and create an action plan: How will you reliably incorporate this one habit into your daily routine?

In my next article, I’ll discuss ways to redefine or ‘find’ purpose in retirement. It’s easier than I thought!

The ADA Framework is a straightforward and handy tool that we can use to solve any problem, make any changes, and design and realise any project.

Whenever we feel confused or stuck, we can ask:

How can I gain more awareness/clarity – and use it to make decisions and take action? And create the results I want?

In this article, following the steps A/Awareness, D/Decision, and A/Action will help you create a personal strategy for a successful transition into retirement. 

#1 – AWARENESS – Build a clear understanding of your starting point.

1. 1. Identify challenges and concerns:
      • What specific fears or concerns do you have about retirement?
      • What limiting beliefs might be holding you back?
   2. Explore desired outcomes:
      • Who do you want to be, and how do you want to show up?
      • How do you want to fill and structure your daily life?
   3. Self-assessment questions:
      • What personal strengths, skills, and passions could help you shape your retirement?
      • What values are most important in this phase of your life?

PRACTICAL TIP – Create three lists: One for current challenges, one for desired outcomes, and another for your personal resources. Use these as a foundation for your retirement strategy.

#2 – DECISION – Set priorities and choose goals.

1. 1. Define success:
      • How do you want to define a “successful” and fulfilling retirement?
      • What goals would make this new phase meaningful and rewarding?
   2. Describe the desired outcome:
      • Write a short statement describing your ideal retirement experience. For example: “I want a retirement filled with learning, travel, meaningful contributions through mentoring, and quality time with loved ones.”
   3. Set priorities and specific goals:
      • Which areas of life need the most attention, and how will you ensure they become your priorities?
      • What specific goals would you like to achieve within the first year of retirement?

PRACTICAL TIP – Use a vision board, mind map, or simple bullet points to outline your retirement plans, your priorities and your core goals. This will serve as a guiding document as you move forward.

#3 – ACION – Take first action steps, evaluate and adapt.

1. 1. Create an action plan:
      • List 3-5 key actions you can take in the next three months to begin exploring and building the retirement life you want.
      • Identify specific milestones and deadlines that will help you stay on track.
   2. Build a support system:
      • Who can help you achieve your retirement goals?
      • What networks or communities could you join for social and professional engagement?
   3. Evaluate and adjust:
      • Schedule regular check-ins (monthly or quarterly) to review your progress and adjust your action plan.
      • Reflect on what’s working and what needs to change.

PRACTICAL TIP – Use a tracking tool, planner, or journal to monitor your goals, progress, and lessons learned. Reward yourself when you hit key milestones.

IMPORTANT PRACTICAL TIP

Designing our retirement life is a huge task – and we don’t need (and can’t) do it in one go!

As soon as you start to feel overwhelmed or frustrated, it’s time to lean back and intentionally choose what to FOCUS on right now:

• • Choose ONE task or life area you want to work on.
  • Set SPECIFIC goals (the smaller, the better).
  • Set SHORT-TERM timeframes.

The following case study is supposed to demonstrate the importance of focus and the effectiveness of the ADA Framework:

CASE STUDY

Summary of the three steps of the ADA framework:

Step 1 – Awareness

Identify current challenges, limiting beliefs, and desired outcomes to build a clear understanding of your starting point.

Step 2 – Decision

Make decisions about what you want your life to look like and describe it in a vision statement. Set priorities and choose goals.

Step 3 – Action

Take intentional action steps toward your goals, seek support, and stay adaptable and flexible when circumstances or goals change.

If you have any questions about the ADA Framework,  please get in touch (margot@letgo-moveon.com.au).

Before choosing our priorities for retirement, defining our core goals, and planning our next action steps, we need to explore the key topics of our current and future life.

We need clarity on where we are now and where we want to go/be.

Then, we can decide how to bridge the gap between the here and there and choose the priorities, goals, and actions to create a life structure that supports and enables the retirement life we want.

Exploration of the key topics of your life

I suggest you schedule a series of meetings with yourself on your calendar to ask and answer a series of questions.

The following list suggests essential life topics to consider and offers example questions to help you get started.

Adjust the list to your circumstances and requirements: Add to the list what you miss and take out what’s not relevant to you.

Topic 1 – Your Identity

Who are you right now? What are the essential parts of your current identity? – Which of these parts will you take along into your retirement? What do you need/want to change about the person you are right now? What are the essential parts of your new identity?

Topic 2 – Your Purpose

What are your current values, beliefs, and the things you stand and fight for? – What are the topics, goals, passions and interests you want to focus on in the future? How do you want to (re-)define the meaning of (your) life?

Topic 3 – Your mindset and mental fitness

How do you feel about retirement? What are your thoughts and emotions when you imagine this new phase of life? Are there fears or uncertainties holding you back? – What beliefs do you want to let go of? What new perspectives do you want to adopt? How will you keep your mind engaged, flexible, and resilient?

Topic 4 – Your relationships

What does your social network look like just now? Who are the important people in your life? What do you appreciate in your relationships, and what frustrates you? – Who will naturally drop out of your contact list? Who do you want to add? Which relationships do you want to change or intensify?

Topic 5 – Your physical health

How do you currently feel physically? What are your strengths and challenges regarding your health and fitness? – What habits do you want to keep, improve, or introduce to maintain and enhance your physical well-being? What role will nutrition, exercise, rest, and medical care play in your retirement plan?

Topic 6 – Your financial security

Do you have a clear understanding of your financial situation? Are your current resources aligned with the lifestyle you envision? – What steps can you take to feel more financially secure? What adjustments might be necessary to sustain financial stability and independence throughout retirement?

Topic 7 – Your personal development

What new skills, knowledge, or experiences excite you? Are there interests or talents you’ve never had time to explore? – What forms of learning and personal growth do you want to prioritise? How will you challenge yourself to continue evolving?

Topic 8 – Your professional and social engagement

Do you want to stay professionally active in some way? What role will work, volunteering, or mentoring play in your life? – What kinds of projects, initiatives, or social causes could offer you a sense of purpose and fulfilment? How will you balance engagement with flexibility and leisure?

Topic 9 – Your lifestyle, home, and living environment

Where do you want to live, and what environment best supports your happiness and well-being? Does your current home fit your vision for retirement, or would a change be beneficial? – How will you structure your daily life to include the activities, routines, and surroundings that bring you joy?

PRACTICAL TIP:

Don’t overcomplicate or overthink this exercise.

This is just the starting point of an ongoing journey.

However, the journey can only start if you take the first step. I recommend you do it in writing.

Write down whatever comes to your mind; there are no wrong questions or answers.

The goal is to understand yourself and your ideal retirement life better.

Important:

If you feel intimidated by the first two topics – identity and purpose – I suggest you put them aside for some time.

Instead, start exploring other life areas that you find more approachable. Finding your answers in those areas will automatically help you clarify how you want to define your identity and purpose.

In the next newsletter article, I will describe how the ADA Framework (Awareness/Decision/Action) can help us define clear goals and action steps – so we start to actively create the retirement life we want.