If you’ve ever Googled “What should I do in retirement?” between bites of chocolate peanut butter cups, you’re in very good company.
After decades of early mornings, deadlines, and juggling caregiving with careers, suddenly having wide-open days can feel… well, disorienting.
You might have imagined instant bliss – long walks, book clubs, yoga classes – only to discover that freedom without direction can feel a little like floating in space.
If you’ve caught yourself wondering, “What do I actually want now?” you’re not alone.
Through my research and years of mentoring – and now coaching – women as they navigate big life transitions, I’ve learned that clarity doesn’t come from overthinking. It comes from trying small things, noticing what happens, and adjusting along the way.
Think of it as running gentle life experiments – collecting clues about what lights you up and using those insights to shape what’s next.
That’s the spirit behind what I call The Bold Retirement Method – a four-phase framework I use with clients to help women rediscover clarity, connection, and joy in this next chapter of life.
You can start right now with a few small steps – and I’ve shared some free resources at the end of this article to help you begin.
So grab your chocolate, and let’s explore how to begin designing a life that feels uniquely yours.
Phase 1: Discover Your Foundation
Before you can design a fulfilling retirement, you need to reconnect with what truly matters – and understand what fills or drains your cup.
Start by reflecting on your career chapter – what you’re proud of, what you’ll miss, what you’re ready to leave behind, and which strengths you want to carry forward into this next season.
This simple reflection helps you honor what’s come before, while creating space for what’s next.
Then, take a broader look at your life today. When I’m coaching my clients, we use a Life Wheel assessment to explore satisfaction across key areas such as health, relationships, personal growth, and home environment.
A quick way to try this now is to take stock of which areas of your life feel full and which could use more attention.
Pay attention to what fills your cup – your energy always tells the truth.
Once you’ve reconnected with your foundation, you’re ready to imagine what’s next.
Phase 2: Craft Your Vision
After you’ve grounded yourself in your values and energy, it’s time to imagine what’s possible.
What do you want this next chapter to stand for? What passions, interests, or legacy projects are quietly waiting in the wings?
One concept I often share with clients is Ikigai, a Japanese word meaning “a reason for being.” It connects what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what brings meaning – all woven into a vision that feels deeply personal.
This is also where boundaries come in. Without them, your best intentions can easily get hijacked by other people’s requests and needs.
I think of my client Mary, who began working with me six months before retiring. She was proud of her career and knew she’d miss the recognition that came with her work. But she also longed for more meaningful connections and a slower pace.
As we clarified her vision – deeper friendships, learning, and creative growth – she realized she’d need to protect time and energy for those priorities. Her big shift was learning to state her needs out loud instead of waiting for others to guess them. Each time she did, it got easier.
Today, her calendar includes a book club with thoughtful women, mentoring future leaders, and friendships that truly nourish her.
Boundaries protect your joy; vision gives it direction.
Phase 3: Build Your Roadmap
Dreams need structure to take root.
This is where clarity turns into momentum – where you start creating a rhythm for your days, one that feels both intentional and free.
Begin by focusing on what matters most right now. Maybe it’s staying healthy and active, deepening friendships, learning something new, or giving back. Once you identify a few key areas that feel important, start designing your time around them.
That’s what I help my clients do: take their ideas and turn them into gentle routines, clear priorities, and realistic goals that fit how they actually want to live.
You might start with one simple morning ritual that grounds you, or a weekly rhythm that mixes rest, connection, and creativity. You might think ahead about obstacles – the things that tend to pull you off track – and create small ways to stay accountable and supported.
Small experiments lead to big clarity – if you stay curious.
The goal isn’t to pack your calendar. It’s to design days that feel both grounded and alive – days that carry your purpose, not just your plans.
Phase 4: Embark on the Journey
Once you’ve built your roadmap, it’s time to live it – step by small step.
This phase is about confidence, adaptability, and celebration. You start putting your ideas into motion, noticing what feels fulfilling, and adjusting along the way.
In my coaching work, I share a bit of psychology research that always makes people smile: when you start a new task – even a small one – your brain stays engaged until it’s complete. It’s why taking that first step is often the hardest but most important. Action builds energy and keeps you moving forward.
As you experiment, keep track of what’s working and what isn’t. Celebrate your wins, however small. And stay curious – try one new experience each month just to see how it feels. Retirement isn’t meant to be perfect; it’s meant to evolve.
I write in my journal most mornings – it helps me check in with myself and see what’s working. Others I coach find their rhythm through a morning walk, a weekly coffee with a friend, or a quiet moment before bed. The method doesn’t matter. What matters is creating a regular practice of listening to yourself.
Over time, your roadmap will shift as your interests and priorities change. That’s a good thing. You’re not stuck with one plan – you’re designing a lifestyle that grows with you.
You don’t need to have it all figured out – you just need to keep moving toward what feels alive.
And when you pause to look back, you may be surprised at how much progress you’ve made.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’d like help getting started, I have several free resources on my website, including the Retirement Vision Starter Kit.
It’s designed as a companion to this article – so you can turn these ideas into action.
Want to Learn More?
These ideas come from a larger process I guide women through called The Bold Retirement Method – a personalized, research-based coaching experience that helps women design a retirement that feels vibrant and fulfilling.
You can learn more about it here.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What’s one small thing you’ve tried lately that brought a spark of joy or clarity to your days? When we share what’s working, we help each other see new possibilities – and remind ourselves that this chapter is all about curiosity, connection, and courage.
