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Life is such a rush! From the moment we’re born, the world continuously spins. And, all we can do is try to stay on our feet.
It’s like those video games, where you have to jump and dodge obstacles, collect coins, and improve your heart points. It’s exhilarating, and yet exhausting all in the same breath.
So, it’s no wonder that come retirement, people find it hard to ease up. After spending a lifetime in the chaos, the idea of slowing down can feel foreign and even unsettling.
But it's important to remember that retirement is a new chapter; a new game level. And a chance to finally pursue those passions that have been put on hold for so long.
Why Retirement Is the Opportunity You’ve Been Waiting For
Just having 5 or 10 minutes to sit and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee is one of life’s little pleasures. Or maybe, for you, it’s an afternoon hiking in the hills. Or, how about a road trip for the ultimate tacos?
It’s the things that we look forward to, the things that make our comparably mundane lives a little brighter. And, make us smile from ear to ear like a small child who's being handed a lollipop.
It would be great if we could find more time to do these things. But, as we all know, life doesn’t work like that.
In our teens, it’s all about studying and planning for a future that we haven't yet figured out. Our 20s and 30s are spent working for our homes, our cars, and family. And our 40’s and 50’s get lost in the rat race.
Before we know it, retirement is looming. And we begin to question ourselves.
“Did I put enough money away for the future? Will the kids and grandkids be OK? Will I need to sell up and downsize to free up some cash?”
But, what we should be asking is “What did I want to do but never got the chance to?” And “How can I make it happen?”
Because retirement doesn’t mean you have to stop. It doesn’t mean you need to throw on the brakes and a comfy pair of slippers.
Whether it's traveling the world, starting a new hobby, or pursuing a random project, now is the perfect time to make it happen. This is a chance for you to embrace new experiences and make the most out of every moment.
And if you're needing a little Dutch courage, these retirement quotes are just the ticket!
So, let’s get started!
65 Happy Retirement Quotes & Sayings to Encourage a Retiree
- “Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else.” – Fred Rogers
- “Retirement’s the most wonderful thing. I get to enjoy all the things I never stopped to notice on the way up. After an extraordinary life, it’s time to enjoy my retirement.” – Patrick Macnee
- “What do you call a person who is happy on a Monday? Retired.” – Unknown
- “The Key to a Happy retirement, is having something you are passionate about to retire to” – Jonathan Look, Jr.
- “Retirement, a time to enjoy all the things you never had time to do when you worked.” – Catherine Pulsifer
- “Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway.” – Unknown
- “Retirement is not a life without purpose; it is the on-going purpose that provides meaningfulless.” – Robert Rivers
- “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to great places. You’re off and away!” – Dr. Seuss
- “Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it to the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money.” – Jonathan Clements
- “Retirement is not about ‘finding’ ourselves – or losing ourselves in electronic distractions – but about creating a new life for ourselves and those around us.” – Rick Steiner
- “There is a whole new kind of life ahead, full of experiences just waiting to happen. Some call it ‘retirement.' I call it bliss.” – Betty Sullivan
- “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“ – Mark Twain
- “I’m not just retiring from the company; I’m also retiring from my stress, my commute, my alarm clock, and my iron.” – Hartman Jule
- “Life is your artwork. Create it! No one else can do it for you. You create it by seeing life, and living it to its fullest.” – Max Ehrmann
Life is your artwork. Create it! No one else can do it for you. You create it by seeing life, and living it to its fullest.” – Max Ehrmann
- “Retirement life is different because there is no set routine. You are able to let the day unfold as it should. Enjoy, be happy and live each day.” – Suzanne Steel
- “Retirement is wonderful if you have two essentials – much to live on and much to live for.” – Unknown
- “For many, retirement is a time for personal growth, which becomes the path to greater freedom.” – Robert Delamontague
- “With retirement, however, comes a great chunk of free time.” – Steven D. Price
- “Don't act your age in retirement. Act like the inner young person you have always been.” – J. A. West
- “Living each day as if it were your last doesn’t mean your last day of retirement on a remote island. It means to live fully, authentically and spontaneously with nothing being held back.” – Jack Canfield
- “Retirement: That’s when you return from work one day and say, “Hi, Honey, I’m home — forever.” – Gene Perret
- “You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
- “Retirement may be an ending, a closing, but it is also a new beginning.” – Catherine Pulsifer
- “You don't stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” – George Bernard Shaw
- “Sit back and relax and do the things you never got a chance to do.” – Julie Hebert
- “The key to retirement is to find joy in the little things.” – Susan Miller
- “It can take as long as three years to completely adjust to your retirement. Be patient and know that a new life is awakening within you.” – Mark Evan Chimsky
- “I found out retirement means playing golf, or I don't know what the hell it means. But to me, retirement means doing what you have fun doing.” – Dick Van Dyke
- “I’m retired – goodbye tension!” – Unknown
- “Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to.” – Harry Emerson Fosdick
- “May your hours of reminiscence be filled with days of good cheer and weeks of pleasant memories.” – Unknown
- “If you feel like there's something out there that you're supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.” – Wanda Sykes
- “The first step to a thriving unretirement is to begin by asking yourself what it is you want to be doing.” – Chris Farrell
- “I see retirement as just another of these reinventions, another chance to do new things and be a new version of myself.” – Walt Mossberg
- “There are so many other interesting ways to spend your time. I feel like early retirement is a gift, but it’s such an incredible gift. It’s a gift I need to use.” – Martha Felt-Bardon
- “Retirement: a time to enjoy all the things you never had time to do when you worked.” – Catherine Pulisfer
Retirement: a time to enjoy all the things you never had time to do when you worked.” – Catherine Pulisfer
- “To some of us, retirement gives us time to follow our dreams.” – Shirley Mitchell
- “Retirement is wonderful. It's doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.” – Gene Perret
- “Best wishes on your retirement. Enjoy a rest that’s overdue. Take pleasure in the finer things that are awaiting you.” – Judith Wibberley
- “Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you're supposed to.” – Susan Cain
- “Retirement is one of those consequential changes in life, it offers us a unique opportunity to start over, to move beyond the past and to once again live forward.” – Rick Steiner
- “You have to put off being young until you can retire.” – Unknown
- “Retirement has been wonderful.” – Michelle McCool
- “Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “For me, being in retirement, it was just having the opportunity to watch other stuff and do different things.” – Shawn Michaels
- “Stay young at heart, kind in spirit, and enjoy retirement living.” – Danielle Duckery
- “For it is in your power to retire into yourself whenever you choose.” – Marcus Aurelius
- “To be idle is sometimes an excellent way of being busy.” – Thomas Carlyle
- “Retirement is the last opportunity for individuals to reinvent themselves, let go of the past, and find peace and happiness within.” – Ernie J Zelinski
- “Retirement isn't the end of the road, but just a turn in the road.” – Unknown
- “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” – Fred Rogers
- “Retirement: a time to become much more than you have ever been.” – Ernie J Zelinski
Retirement: a time to become much more than you have ever been.” – Ernie J Zelinski
- “Retirement is when having a good time is your only job.” – Anon
- “I’m happy in retirement.” – Greg Rusedski
- “Retirement: World's longest coffee break.” – Unknown
- “I like to tell people that I finally found something I’m really good at, and that’s retirement.” – Hank Greenwald
- “Retirement means doing whatever I want to do. It means choice.” – Dianne Nahirny
- “I’m really in retirement. My career is over. I’m just playing now and having a great time. I like to keep busy, and I’m doing what’s fun for me.” – Dick Van Dyke
- “I'm not just retiring from the company; I'm also retiring from my stress, my commute, my alarm clock, and my iron.” – Hartman Jule
- “What do you call a person who is happy on Monday? Retired.” – Unknown
- “Retirement is a blank sheet of paper. It is a chance to redesign your life into something new and different.” – Patrick Foley
- “Retirement is the only time when one can enjoy all the good things life has to offer without the stress of having a job.” – Unknown
- “Retirement gives you the time literally to recreate yourself through a sport, game or hobby that you always wanted to try or that you haven't done in years.” – Steven Price
- “The Best thing about retirement is not having to wear pants!” – Mark Hewer
- “Happy days are here at last, the days of nine to five are passed, you've worked your life and paid your dues, now you can do just what you choose!” – Unknown
Final Thoughts on Retirement Quotes
For many retirees, life begins when work ends. It’s the chance to go out and chase dreams, to try new things, and live a little!
Whether it's starting a new hobby, traveling to exotic destinations, or even starting a new business, retirement offers the perfect opportunity. It’s the freedom to do the things you've always wanted. And, to do them on your terms.
So rather than worrying that retirement means ‘Game Over’, take some time to plan the next exciting level of your life.
And for more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 45 Passion Quotes to Focus on What You Love Doing
- 151 Gratitude Journal Prompts for Daily Thankfulness
- 27 Minimalist Quotes about Simplifying Your Life
Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success.
