Social media has altered our perceptions of success, relationships and even retirement. Think about those stylized photos of older adults frolicking on the beach and strolling down cobblestone streets. Yes, those photos may look great, but they’re not the whole picture.
No matter what type of designer retirement you think you have put together for yourself, bereavement, illness, ennui and financial challenges happen to everyone. No amount of wealth, success or planning can make you impervious to them … but you can prepare yourself for them. And in doing so, you may create a retirement that’s richer, more fulfilling and more real.
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Myth #1: The quality of your retirement depends on how much money you have
Social media has certainly expunged many taboos. I think it’s generally a good thing people are more comfortable openly sharing personal things, such as your savings and net worth, as long as people understand that that isn’t what’s most important.
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Myth #2: The purpose of retirement is to be happy
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Those are the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and they’re applicable to every stage in life. Hell, they’re worth a share on social media.
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Myth #3: Everything goes according to plan
Social media is where people generally share stories of their success and positive experiences told in nice, neat narratives. It can appear as if everything transpires without a hitch.
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