How to Spend Your Time in Retirement?

Retirement Opens a New Chapter

Retirement brings endless possibilities. With 20–30 years ahead, how will you use this precious time? For many, that question is exciting, and a little nerve-wracking. After all, you don’t want to waste your days, but it’s not always clear what a fulfilling retirement actually looks like.

Many of us have been conditioned to “save, save, save.” But once full-time work ends, money isn’t the only limited resource we need to pay attention to – time is also important. And the real question becomes: how will you spend it in a way that feels useful, joyful, and meaningful?

Beyond the Wish List

For some, retirement dreams include travel, more time with grandchildren, or getting into better shape. These are wonderful goals. Consider for a moment however if you’ve ever booked a big trip before, or ever built a regular exercise routine? Retirement doesn’t suddenly make us different people. We don’t wake up with travel agent expertise or an 8-week fitness plan pouring out of us.

What we do have is the same self we’ve always had, along with the opportunity to choose, experiment, and design this next chapter intentionally.

How Do You Want to Spend Your Time?

I think that time is our most valuable resource. Often people will say they don’t want to spend retirement sitting in front of the TV for hours. (One author actually suggested new retirees try watching 18 hours of television a day for three days straight – a “cure” that might make you rethink that habit!)

But here’s the thing: if watching documentaries, reading novels, or catching up on movies brings you joy, that’s valid. What matters is that you are choosing intentionally, without judgment, and not letting anyone else judge your choices either.

Begin with the End in Mind

When I retired, I drew inspiration from Stephen Covey’s classic, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His advice? Begin with the end in mind. It’s a powerful way to stay aligned with what really matters.

That principle naturally connects to one of my favorite coaching tools: the Rocking Chair Test.

The Rocking Chair Test

Here’s how it works:

1. Grab a notebook or journal.
2. Imagine yourself at 95 years old, sitting in your rocking chair and looking back over your life.
3. Picture the life you want to have lived — joyful, meaningful, and fulfilling. Your version of perfection.

Then ask yourself:

• What do I want to be able to say about the person I am at 95?
• Who and what are most important to me?
• What am I most proud of?
• What were the highlights of my life?
• How did I stay healthy and fit enough to enjoy the lifestyle I wanted?

Writing down your answers helps bring clarity. These reflections can become the compass that guides how you spend your time in retirement.

My Own Compass

For me, the answers include a sense of adventure, a voracious appetite for books, and plenty of opportunities to flex my creative muscles. I know that keeping busy and engaged matters deeply to me and I have no intention of letting retirement change that.

Your Turn: What Will Matter Most?

Retirement is not just about filling your days – it’s about filling them with meaning. The Rocking Chair Test can help you define what truly matters, so you can design a retirement that feels intentional, joyful, and uniquely yours.

So grab your journal, take a quiet moment, and begin writing your story today.