Retirement often feels like the finish line after decades of working. But from what I’ve observed as an entrepreneur and business owner, it’s more like the starting point for a completely different kind of challenge. The biggest surprise? Those who transition successfully often do so because of specific habits they set in motion within their first three months. Let me break this down through a lens of practicality and psychology, based on what I've seen and researched.
How Successful Retirees Begin Their First Three Months
1. They prioritize relationships.
Years of work often provide an ecosystem of daily interactions, clients, colleagues, even the people you see on your lunch break. But once work stops, isolation can sneak in before you’ve even noticed. Retirees who maintain regular interactions, intentionally reach out to old friends, and experiment with new social circles report higher satisfaction and emotional health levels.
As Harvard's Adult Development Study highlights, relationships have the strongest correlation to long-term happiness, ranking above wealth and career success. This is valuable not just in retirement but also as a reminder for entrepreneurs like myself to nurture connections while building businesses.
2. They keep moving, literally.
Walking, swimming, yoga, or even gardening: consistent movement matters more than hitting the gym for extreme workouts. Regular activity is linked to reduced stress, improved mood, and longevity, according to the National Institute on Aging. People who embrace movement early in retirement often find the physical benefits are paired with mental clarity and better overall energy.
This resonates strongly. When running a business, consistency usually wins over intensity. The same applies to physical health.
3. They don’t panic about their ‘big why’.
It’s common to feel unmoored after retiring. The best approach? Let that be okay. Successful retirees often give themselves time to find meaning without rushing. By taking on small projects, volunteering, mentoring, blogging, they explore interests and slowly reframe their sense of purpose.
For entrepreneurs, this echoes how we test small initiatives or Minimum Viable Projects (without calling them that now!). It’s about learning before committing.
4. They rethink their finances.
Money doesn’t stop mattering once you retire. Thrivers in this stage reconfigure their budgets, not to hoard, but to enjoy and plan for longevity. This could mean prioritizing experiences like travel or helping family members while staying prepared for unexpected healthcare costs.
A Stanford study found retirees reviewing their finances within 90 days made better long-term financial decisions. Just like with startups, clarity is key.
5. They embrace being learners again.
Curiosity doesn’t retire. Picking up a new instrument, diving into online courses, or learning languages keeps your brain sharp. Lifelong learning isn’t a buzzword; it’s a practical way of staying engaged and adaptive even after stepping away from formal work.
The process reminds me of pivoting in startup life: trying, failing, laughing, and trying again.
6. They allow stillness.
People who rush into retirement filling every hour often burn out quickly, ironically enough. Those who thrive see this stage as a time to master silence and solitude. Whether through mindfulness, reflection, or just enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, getting comfortable being with yourself is non-negotiable.
Businesses also teach this, sometimes the best decisions are products of reflection, not frantic action.
7. They don’t wait to plan healthcare.
Long-term care can be an anxiety-inducing topic. Proactive retirees build strategies to manage medical costs or identify support systems before they’re needed. Did you know 70% of seniors will need some form of long-term care, according to Genworth? This foresight is as essential as having contingency plans while scaling a company.
8. They forgive themselves.
Here’s the secret people don’t talk about: not every day feels fulfilling immediately. Thrivers forgive themselves on uninspired days, recognizing that adjustment takes time. It might be weeks, or months, before life clicks.
In entrepreneurship, I’ve learned bad days don’t define an entire journey. The key is returning to the path the next morning.
How to Ease Into These Habits
Here’s something that could help if you’re nearing retirement or preparing for it mentally:
- Create a daily schedule for social and physical activities. Even marking three coffee meet-ups over a week improves moods.
- Take stock of your finances and create a realistic budget. Tools like NerdWallet on retirement can make this less overwhelming.
- Identify one growth area. From puzzle-solving apps to painting workshops, find something that sparks curiosity and keep practicing.
Mistakes That Undermine the First Three Months
- Filling every hour. This leads to burnout or rapid disillusionment.
- Ignoring social needs. Don’t underestimate the loss of work-based friendships until they’re gone.
- Neglecting physical health early on. Starting small habits immediately can prevent cascading health issues later.
A Lesson for Entrepreneurs
Retirement psychology offers valuable lessons for founders. Whether launching a startup or selling one, transitions matter. Intentional habits help, momentum sustains, and rushing to fill voids often causes misaligned outcomes.
What will you schedule differently in your own life, knowing these eight things?
FAQ
1. Why do relationships matter in retirement?
Relationships matter because work often provides built-in social interactions that disappear upon retirement. Prioritizing friendships and maintaining social connections increases happiness and emotional health, as emphasized by the Harvard Study of Adult Development. Learn more about the Harvard Study of Adult Development
2. What is the role of physical activity in retirement?
Regular movement, such as walking or gardening, reduces stress, improves mood, and boosts longevity. The National Institute on Aging advocates for daily physical exercise to maintain mental clarity and energy. Discover tips from the National Institute on Aging
3. Should retirees try to find purpose immediately?
No, it's important to avoid panicking about finding a "big purpose" right away. Successful retirees often explore small projects like volunteering or learning new skills to discover meaning over time.
4. Why is financial planning still critical post-retirement?
Even after retirement, money management is pivotal. Thrivers review finances early to balance enjoying life experiences and preparing for medical or other unforeseen costs. Tools like NerdWallet offer assistance with retirement financial planning. Explore retirement planning with NerdWallet
5. How does lifelong learning benefit retirees?
Lifelong learning, such as taking up a hobby or attending classes, keeps the brain sharp and fosters adaptability. Retirees who embrace curiosity often stay more engaged and vibrant in later life.
6. What is the importance of stillness during retirement?
Embracing moments of stillness prevents burnout and encourages self-reflection. Mindfulness or quiet routines help retirees feel more comfortable with themselves and their new routines.
7. How should retirees address long-term healthcare planning?
Proactive healthcare planning is essential, as 70% of seniors require long-term care. Anticipating costs or support systems helps avoid unnecessary stress. Review long-term care insights by Genworth
8. Is it normal to feel unfulfilled at first in retirement?
Yes, feeling aimless is common during the adjustment period. Successful retirees forgive themselves for unproductive days and strive to rediscover balance gradually.
9. How can retirees ease into these habits effectively?
Creating a schedule with social or physical activities and trying new hobbies without rushing helps establish positive habits. Small steps lead to sustainable changes.
10. What are the most common mistakes retirees make?
Filling every hour immediately, neglecting social needs, or avoiding early attention to health are frequent errors that can lead to dissatisfaction or burnout in retirement.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.