Retirement: The pandemic's almost over. Now what?

When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March of 2020, a common mantra was, “No worries. This thing will be over by summer!”

Well…

Two years later and a lot of us are finally starting to emerge from the quagmire of mandates and restrictions we’ve had to endure.

If you’ve been following our story, you know we have been sensible but not suppressed by the coronavirus. Disappointed that our planned family trip in April 2020 had to be canceled, when the U.S. lifted its ban on international travel four months later, we were on a plane headed north in September.

And last year while many were still hunkered down, we spent 2 ½ months touring Mexico. Between there and our travels in the States, we changed locations a total of 33 times!

When you’re on the wrong side of life’s bell curve like we are, time is your most precious asset. We had complied with shelter-in-place orders for the better part of a year in Ecuador. Certainly not a hardship, but continuing to postpone our plans—our joy—simply wasn't an option.

What about you?

The 21/90 rule says it takes 21 days to form a new habit and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change.

After 700+ days of living through myriad pandemic restrictions, don’t kid yourself. New patterns of behavior have become ingrained that you probably aren’t even aware of.

So it’s important now to examine how your own life has changed over these past two years.

To decide if you are happy with your current situation. And if not, to get busy and do something about it.

Beware this dangerous dream killer

One insidious habit easily formed even in normal times is that of complacency.

Being dissatisfied with your daily routine but not uncomfortable enough to make changes.

Wishing things were different. Even knowing deep down that they could be different. Yet not taking the initiative to alter the status quo.

This tendency to aimlessly putter along on cruise control is a dangerous dream killer of the highest magnitude.

Confined to their homes for months on end, many people decided to undertake remodeling projects. Improve their landscaping. Or move to a new place altogether.

A new era is dawning

We suggest you put that same energy into yourself. Are you pleased with the state of your physical and mental health? Is your job bringing you fulfillment? What about the quality of your relationships?

All of us have had more than enough time to contemplate our future. Do you have some old dusty dreams that are ready to come off the shelf? Or new ones you’re excited to pursue?

There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has negatively impacted all of us. Perhaps you sadly lost a friend or loved one.

As we move past the pandemic, it's appropriate that Spring, the season of rebirth, is fast approaching. Like the flowers soon bursting from the warming soil and butterflies coming out of their cocoons, this is a perfect time to reimagine or even reinvent ourselves.

Many fear the unknown because it portends unpredictability. But why settle for a subpar outcome that’s already been decided?

Move past the fear, because embracing uncertainty opens the door to limitless opportunities and potential.

A new era is dawning. Let's choose to proactively take charge of our lives and future!