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Retirement isn’t just about leaving work. It shifts how you spend your time, who you see every day and where you find purpose. Britten Parker, leadership coach at InnerWill Leadership Institute, recently shared her insight on helping people navigate major life transitions like retirement. She encourages future retirees to consider the following questions:

How Will You Spend Your Time?

Without a job structuring your day, it’s easy to let time slip away. Parker suggests identifying your priorities early and taking steps now to integrate them into your life.

“If family is important, what does that actually look like for you?” she says. “Maybe it’s visiting grandchildren, being there for the small stuff or stepping in as the sick-day babysitter.”

Health is another common focus. Parker recommends forming habits now by deciding how to use extra time to be intentionally focused on health. Small habits, like taking a walk with your coworker, can help you stay active while also strengthening relationships that may carry into retirement.

Who Will You Be With?

You may not realize how much social interaction your job provides until it’s gone. Maintaining friendships and building new connections takes effort.

“If you crave community, you’ve got to show up and continue to show up,” Parker says. That could mean joining a club, taking a class or volunteering.

Parker’s mother, a retired teacher, joined a church choir — not because she loved singing, but because she didn’t want to sit alone in church. That small decision helped her stay connected to a community.

Studies show that social engagement affects long-term health. Research from the National Institute on Aging links strong social connections to lower risks of high blood pressure, heart disease and cognitive decline.

What Gives You Purpose?

For those who have spent decades in one profession, stepping away from work can feel like losing a part of themselves. “It’s almost in your bones,” Parker says.

Finding new ways to contribute can help. Parker recalls a group of Louisa County retirees whom she met working as a volunteer at a local food bank. The men came from different backgrounds — one worked in logistics for a shipping company, another was a retired firefighter — but they saw a need, applied their skills and kept showing up.

Over time, they built a system that improved efficiency and became a core part of the operation, Parker says. More importantly, they found a new sense of purpose and community. This kind of connection can be particularly valuable for men, as studies show their social networks tend to decrease more after retirement.

If you’re unsure where to start, Parker suggests looking at the aspects of work you enjoy most. Think about the skills and talents you’ve developed in your career, as they can lead to new opportunities. Whether it’s mentoring, organizing or problem-solving, these strengths can carry over into something new.

Start Planning Now

Thinking ahead can help you create a more meaningful and engaging next chapter. Find inspiration in these stories from VRS retirees.

For more guidance, read the Getting Ready to Retire Guide and log in to myVRS Financial Wellness to explore additional resources on retirement lifestyle planning.