Planning for the future
By Dr. Selim Erhan, TLT Editor | TLT From the Editor January 2026
There are many significant changes that happen when we retire.
It is time to start looking at the year ahead of us and catching up with our plans and projects from where we left before the holidays. Time passes quickly and long-term plans suddenly become not so long term after all. One such plan is our goals and projects for our retirement. For most it is a long, long time away, but like any other plan it needs careful preparation way ahead of time.
There are some significant changes that happen when most of us retire. I had planned activities and projects for the time I retired but was especially amazed at one aspect I had never thought or could have imagined. That was the stress and pressure that vanished. The sense of lightness is indescribable. We do not notice the pressure we have on us while we live most of our lives. Starting from kindergarten, there is always an unknown environment around the corner. Starting school, exams, new jobs, lost jobs, dealing with people twists and turns that come at any time—all are pressures we learn to live with and become second nature to us. We do not realize it’s weight until it suddenly lifts off our shoulders! It is a wonderful feeling to be able to do what we want when we want.
Planned for or not, for most of us it is a time that will come. Postponing planning is not wise because we really cannot predict how much of our assets we will have in this phase of our lives. Two of our most valuable assets are our health and our time. Luckily, I think we can prepare for both of them ahead of time. We know that our body is a very adaptive, magical tool which in fact renews itself the more we use it. Mechanical functions are also related to hormonal functions and our psychology. So regular moderate exercise does wonders to all of our systems. For people who are over 60 this is well known but much advised for the younger members who need to put aside time for this maintenance program so to speak. We know our bodies best and it talks to us in different ways, so listening also helps a lot. Then comes the other one: our remaining time. It is one of nature’s wonders that we do not know how much time we have. It forces us to live a balanced life—taking care of issues with people, of situations that are unpleasant or obligations that have to be fulfilled so there are no regrets, or situations that are pleasant but never used, leaving no words unsaid, no missed opportunities that we could have experienced by the time we retire. Once we reach the day of no pressure, if we have a calm conscience and a sound body, then the next phase becomes more enjoyable.
Of course, one choice is to stay professionally active and offer our vast knowledge to our younger professional colleagues, especially as now we have more time, and we have the freedom to adjust our schedules as needed. I see a lot of people volunteering and, for example, STLE is a wonderful place where our help and efforts are greatly appreciated. Being active in local sections, talking at schools and universities and getting involved with younger generations can be very rewarding. There is a saying from the Sumerians from 5,000 years ago, “If you know, why don’t you teach.”
If one has a mental block and refuses to think of retirement, or sees their job as themself and not just another thing we need to do in life, and is afraid of losing their identity, we can talk with others that have already entered this phase or at least read books that have been written on the subject. I recently saw such a book on a shelf and purchased it and read it even though I thought I knew what I wanted to do. It turned out to be very useful. Being with others and reading their suggestions in the quiet of my room was very rewarding. There are many such books. The one I came across and read was titled “65 Things to Do When You Retire,” edited by Mark Evan Chimsky. I am sure others are also well thought of and carefully selected to provide us with sincere suggestions.
I wish everyone a wonderful and fruitful year in whatever you will be doing!
Dr. Selim Erhan is president of Erbur Solutions in Trout Valley, Ill. You can reach him at selim.erhan@outlook.com.