5 Patrick Stewart Quotes Retirees Can Live By
Patrick Stewart lived life to the fullest. Here are five lessons from the legendary actor on taking risks, finding purpose and cultivating community.
Sir Patrick Stewart, the Shakespearean actor best known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek" and Professor Charles Xavier in "X-Men," not only captured the hearts and imaginations of fans worldwide but also inspired countless others through the reflections he shared over the decades.
Stewart was candid about his life, from growing up in a poor, working-class household in Yorkshire, to becoming a world-renowned stage and screen legend, and all the hard-won triumphs and setbacks in between. While Stewart is no longer with us, having passed away at 86, these quotes offer retirees a map to live by.
Five Life Lessons from Sir Patrick Stewart
1. "I am not averse to risk-taking and I don't judge myself. I used to do that so much. That gets in the way of spontaneity. So I'm braver now than I was when I was much younger."
NPR's Fresh Air interview, July 2, 2020
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Maybe you planned to save $2 million for retirement but only have $500,000. Or maybe you planned to age in place but have no choice but to sell your home. Just because things didn't go the way you expected doesn't mean you have to beat yourself up or stop living. You can still take risks in retirement. That's what Sir Patrick is conveying with these reflections.
For example, instead of lamenting the house you had to leave behind, you might take a chance on downsizing to an active community where you can make new friends.
2. "I am now in a place where I can feel and see gratitude for what I have been given. I don't just mean in terms of talent. I mean in terms of friendships."
Bullseye With Jessie Thorne interview, December 12, 2023
Work, work, work. We spend decades working, amassing money for retirement. Then the day comes, and we are in a state of despair. We don't know what to do with our time or our money, so we do nothing.
But that's not what retirement should be about. It should be a time to feel grateful for all the hard work you put in and to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
If you are like the countless retirees who are reluctant to spend, create a withdrawal plan that permits you to do so. Some popular approaches include the 4% rule, the bucket approach, and the guardrails strategy.
3. "You will never achieve success by insuring against failure."
Roundtable Interview With Patrick Stewart And Stephen Belber On Match, April 28, 2014
Are you thinking of moving to a new city in retirement, or have you always dreamed of starting a new business for your second act? If you have big dreams and the only thing stopping you is fear of failure, then don't let it.
That doesn't mean you should take out a loan against your retirement savings to go back to college or launch a startup, but if you have money set aside, you shouldn't let fear of failure stop you from pursuing your dream. At last check, more than half the businesses in America are owned by people 55 and older.
4. "Four years ago I became a skier, I'm officially now an intermediate level skier, and that was at the age of 69." Esquire interview, August 4, 2015
You may think it's too late to go on that trip, pursue that degree or pick up that hobby, but as Sir Patrick shows us, you are never too old to live.
If Sir Patrick could learn to ski at 69, you can pursue your passion in retirement whether you are 60 or 80. Many retirees get stuck in a trap of thinking they are too old to try new things like skiing, but if you are healthy, you should get out there.
5. "I have been inclined to be solitary in huge chunks of my life. I don't think that's a good thing anymore. I think the interaction of being with people, especially people you like, is very important for keeping you sharp, alert, active, and connected."
AARP interview, March 18, 2014
One of the hardest adjustments in retirement is losing the social connections you had at work. For many people, work provides their second families, their best friends, and when they retire, it's gone.
Replacing those social connections is crucial. Without the interactions of people you care about, it could lead to loneliness and depression. So take a page from Sir Patrick and spend some time with friends and family or find ways to stay connected.
Get out there and live
Whether Sir Patrick was reflecting on taking risks or feeling grateful, one thing is sure: this icon lived life to the fullest and made a profound impact on his grieving fans worldwide.
If there’s one lesson to take away from his remarkable journey, it’s that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Whatever that means to you, make sure to get out there and live.
Now, make it so.
Editor's note: This article is part of an ongoing series featuring the best retirement quotes and wisdom from top financial experts, leaders, and public figures. Other articles feature Warren Buffett, Michael Jordan, Mark Cuban, Jimmy Buffett, Dr. Seuss, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Vince Lombardi, Ronald Reagan, Ozzy Osbourne, Stevie Nicks, George Carlin, Billy Joel, Dave Ramsey, Lionel Messi , Cristiano Ronaldo, Mark Cuban and Dolly Parton.
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