In 2026, 4.1 million Americans will reach the age of retirement, turning 65. Although not everyone will retire at 65, approximately\u00a011,000 individuals\u00a0retire daily.\u00a0While many plan throughout their professional careers for the\u00a0day\u00a0they no longer are part of the work force, the focus of that planning is often\u00a0financially-based. Current financial pressures in the U.S. delay retirement for many\u00a0and approximately forty percent of Americans\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0confident they will have enough income and assets\u00a0to last through retirement, or indeed, be able to retire at all.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another concern about reaching the age of retirement is maintaining a level of activity that supports a healthy lifestyle. Media sources constantly push physical exercise options and healthy diets. Socialization, stress management, and mental stimulation are also part of the equation. Being a healthcare provider for people in the later years of life keeps all of these concerns at the forefront of my mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, one significant issue that I have not previously considered\u00a0may be the key to experiencing rewarding years after retirement. That\u00a0oft overlooked issue is called \u201cmattering.\u201d Mattering is closely related to having a purpose, a topic I\u00a0frequently\u00a0discuss with people.\u00a0Having a purpose is the thing that gets us out of bed in the morning, and it is different for everyone. A mother may see her purpose as raising\u00a0children who can successfully find their place in the world. A husband and father may see his purpose as providing for his family through work and a career.\u00a0But \u201cmattering\u201d is a bit different. Mattering\u00a0is defined through four components: feeling significant, appreciated, invested in, and depended\u00a0upon.\u00a0As your identity changes from being\u00a0work\u00a0or career driven to being focused more on relationships and contribution,\u00a0you find a sense of well-being from\u00a0a very different\u00a0source.\u00a0Purpose and mattering do not grow out of leisure, but rather out of pursuing relevance through sharing of yourself. Volunteering, mentoring, and community service are all ways to matter. Finding a\u00a0cause that is important to you and building a framework for sharing it with others is a way to matter to those\u00a0benefiting\u00a0from that\u00a0cause. Building relationships within your community\u00a0adds to personal satisfaction and makes you matter to\u00a0those in your corner of the world.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As retirement approaches, think about what small change you can make to make a difference… <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd that infinitesimal change ripples outward-even smaller but everlasting. I will get forgotten, but the stories will last. And so we all matter – maybe less than a lot, but always more than none.\u201d ~John Green, An Abundance of Katherines <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just my two cents, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Penny <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In 2026, 4.1 million Americans will reach the age of retirement, turning 65. Although not everyone will retire at 65, approximately\u00a011,000 individuals\u00a0retire daily.\u00a0While many plan throughout their professional careers for the\u00a0day\u00a0they no longer are part of the work force, the focus of that planning is often\u00a0financially-based. Current financial pressures in the U.S. delay retirement for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-353","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-other","7":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n