Balancing Work, Play & Purpose in Retirement.

When you imagine your life once you stop working, what does it look like? Are you packing up your life to travel the world or do you dream of a balance of work, play and purpose in retirement? The good news is that retirement is… your retirement. Meaning that with the right financial advice and planning, retirement can look how you want it to. 

Retirement presents a chance to explore ambitions and hobbies left behind during the ‘hustle’ of a career and raising a family. Whether it’s turning a lifelong idea into a small business, sharing professional expertise in the form of mentoring or diving into something entirely new – it’s very possible to find meaningful work that comes with freedom, flexibility and adds value to your retirement. 

Ok Kearney Group, sign us up! How do we strike the balance and enjoy work, play and purpose in retirement?

Retirement as scaling back.

Whilst some people can’t wait to leave work behind, others take a great sense of purpose and satisfaction from working. We’re also living longer and living well longer, so we’re here to say: it’s okay to want to keep working and just gradually scale back.

In reality, your retirement might look less like sitting on a beach, and more like taking consulting, freelance or part-time roles that leverage your expertise. So seek out flexible projects that truly fuel your passions! You might turn your love of art, gardening or food into a ‘job’ without the stress or demands of a full-time gig.

KG Pro Tip: Set boundaries. Work in ways that energise rather than drain you, and ensure any work you do accept fits into your new lifestyle – not the other way around.

Rethink what you call work.

Are you on a board? Do you volunteer or mentor? Are you a carer? As you approach retirement, it’s a great time to reframe what you’ve actually been calling ‘work’.

Frequently retirees with grandchildren find themselves in caregiving roles – a wholly undervalued and yet, essential part of our community fabric and economy. And as a board member, volunteer or mentor, offering your time, knowledge and experience is a great way to give back to others while also stimulating your mind.

KG Pro Tip: Look at how you’re spending your time and don’t be afraid to call a spade a spade. In retirement, “work” can look like many different things. Whatever you’re working at, just make sure it’s personally meaningful and leaves room for play as well.

Make time for play. 

Retirement is your time to play! Create a bucket list and include places you want to go or things you’ve always wanted to try! If you’ve done some good financial planning, you probably already have a list you’ve worked towards.

So explore those hobbies and rekindle old passions. You can take a class, join a club, write that book, go travelling or learn a language you’ve always wanted to master. Now’s the moment to dive in without deadlines or distractions.

Bonus points for finding ways to incorporate social connections and movement you enjoy into your schedule (it doesn’t have to be aqua aerobics but if that’s your thing, we dig it!)

KG Pro Tip: Schedule downtime like you would appointments. This is time set aside purely to relax. Leisure is just as important as purposeful activities.

Find your purpose in retirement. 

After a lifelong career and maybe raising a family, it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost your sense of purpose when you retire. This doesn’t have to be the case! Setting goals is an easy way to create a sense of purpose. Decide what it is you want to achieve. It could be developing a new skill, giving back to others, or being available and present to family. Finding purpose can be easier in a group setting, so try seeking out community groups with a common interest or mission (i.e., walking for a cause!).

Finding purpose also means embracing the idea that your worth isn’t tied solely to productivity—and this phase of life is an opportunity to redefine success on your own terms. It’s okay if your goals evolve or if your focus shifts toward activities that simply bring you joy. Your purpose doesn’t have to be grand. Small acts of kindness, reconnecting with old friends, or learning something new can be just as fulfilling and meaningful.

KG Pro Tip: Consider keeping a retirement journal, tracking your progress or reflecting on personal milestones during this time. Don’t be afraid to change tack if needed.

Connect with others.

Building and maintaining relationships is important at any stage of life, but especially during retirement. A strong social network brings joy and happiness, reduces feelings of isolation and contributes to healthy mental and emotional well-being. It also provides opportunities for meaningful conversations, shared experiences and personal growth. Staying connected with your community socially or through some form of work can foster a sense of belonging in the same way a career does, giving structure and purpose to your days.

Retirement gives you the freedom to invest time (all your time if that is what you desire!) into the intergenerational relationships in your life. Spending time with children and grandchildren enriches both your life and theirs. Engaging with younger generations socially or through something like mentoring is a rewarding way to stay active, relevant and inspired.

KG Pro Tip: Join a club, look for a community group or set a standing “date” to catch up with friends and family. If you’re living rurally or find it difficult to get out, get (and stay) tech savvy enough to call, text and video chat with loved ones regularly.

Blending it all together. 

Balancing work, play and purpose isn’t about scheduling time for each in a calendar but rather finding harmony between them. Retirement is a transition, experiment with new routines to see what feels right and adjust as needed. Balance requires energy, so looking after your physical and mental health is important to enjoying all aspects of life. And, if you want to throw your schedule out the window, hire a van and drive around Australia, that is absolutely okay too. 

Remember that in retirement, success is not measured by how much you accomplish, but by how fulfilled and content you feel in this new chapter of life.

Start thinking about retirement early. 

The best thing you can do to achieve a balanced retirement is to start planning – now.

It’s never too early to have a meeting with your financial advisor and discuss how you can achieve your dream retirement.