Retirement on New Terms
I chose this topic today as part of my ongoing retirement theme. I frequently see articles in my news feed about the “struggles” of retirement, and typically, the main issue cited is a lack of social circles and connections. To be honest, I don’t quite understand that position; your social circle is ultimately what you make it.
If you lived your entire life solely for your job and your professional connections, then yes, that is the root of the problem. However, it isn’t something that should consume you. There are plenty of things to do and new connections to be made. While this might be easier for a “social butterfly,”—which I am not—I still make it work. After a lifetime of labor, this is your time. Use it wisely, as it does not last forever.
A Shift in Perspective
Retirement offers an interesting shift in perspective. For many, work provides a built-in social circle. When that disappears, so does a large portion of daily human interaction. Some relationships remain, of course, but the dynamic is never quite the same once the shared routine of the office is gone.
I’ve always been somewhat of a loner in the best sense of the word—perfectly content to sit quietly, watch the world go by, or spend an afternoon with a book. That tendency became even more interesting after relocating to Brazil. On paper, it sounds isolating: a new country, a language barrier, and no long-standing network of friends. In reality, it has been the exact opposite.
Connection on New Terms
The people here are remarkably friendly. While I’ll likely never speak the language fluently, the effort to communicate has become part of the adventure. I manage well enough, and it’s genuinely fun. I have a few regular spots I visit where they recognize “the gringo.” Somehow, we navigate the language barrier with gestures, patience, and good humor—and it works.
When you add in family and their own circles of friends, the result has been unexpectedly rich. It’s different from office life, but it certainly isn’t lesser. It’s simply social connection on new terms.
In many ways, retirement and moving to a new country have made my social circle bigger, and it has forced me outside of a 4-decade routine to experience people and the world around me. The job is gone, hopefully it was your choice, but either way, this is your new path. Give it a try and stop being part of those silly news feed stories.
Thanks for reading BeingKevin.
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