The Retirement Lie: That You'll Just 'Figure It Out' Later

Written by Dr. Steve Sandoval

Founder, The Flourishing Retiree

Let’s talk about one of the most common—and most quietly dangerous—myths floating around the retirement world:

“I’ll figure it out later.”

It sounds harmless enough. Rational, even. Retirement is supposed to be a time of freedom, yes? Space to exhale after decades of deadlines, alarms, and packed calendars. So, what’s the harm of waiting a little while before deciding what to do next?

The harm is that “later” has a funny habit of becoming “never.” And in my experience, never is where disconnection, depression, and low-grade existential boredom begin to seed and breed.

Turns out I’m not making up this stuff as researchers have investigated this. A study by Wang and Shultz (2010) found that retirees who actively shape their post-career life—not just drift through it—report much higher levels of life satisfaction. Translation? Waiting around to “figure it out” usually leads to... well, not actually figuring it out.

A man sits thoughtfully on a park bench, enjoying a peaceful moment outdoors.

Retirement Isn’t Osmosis—It’s Design

Let’s get one thing straight: clarity doesn’t just show up after two weeks of sleeping in or while binge-watching the latest cooking competition. Retirement is a deliberate process of ACTION—and more than anything, it’s a design challenge.

Here’s the catch: most of us have spent our careers reacting—to emails, meetings, deadlines, and other people’s priorities. But retirement? That one’s entirely on you. And if you don’t shape it with intention, you risk slipping into what I call “comfortable stagnation.” The days may feel fine on the surface, but underneath, you’re drifting. And over time, that drift can lead to disconnection, loss of purpose, and the quiet question no one wants to ask out loud: “Is this really it?”

It’s kind of like a trail packed down in fresh snow. The longer it’s walked, the harder it is to veer off and blaze a new path (you can tell I’m already tired of the summer CO heat).

Start Before You’re Ready (Because You Never Really Are)

Here’s the thing: nothing has to be set in stone. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Life throws curveballs—new interests, family shifts, health surprises. But that’s not a reason to delay. Instead, it's a reason to begin, but with flexibility in mind. My Existential Vitality Index™ (EVI) helps retirees see where their mindsets and habits align—and where they don’t. Because you don’t think your way into vitality. You act your way there. Again, clarity doesn’t come from inaction. It comes from movement, even if the steps start small.

In fact, psychologists Kashdan and Rottenberg (2010) say that people who take small steps toward things they care about—even if they’re not 100% sure where it’s headed—tend to be more emotionally healthy and adaptable. So, clarity comes from action, not sitting still and thinking about it. Exactly the point behind: you don’t think your way into vitality—you act your way there.

And when you do, make sure you’re acting in harmony of what I call your Four Vitality Domains:

Active Health

Don’t just plan to be more active. Schedule something this week that gets your body moving—not because it’s “good for you,” but because it wakes something up inside. Hike. Stretch. Dance in your kitchen. Doesn’t matter. Movement fights stagnation—physically and existentially.

Relational Health

Retirement can shrink your social world if you’re not paying attention. Reach out. Reconnect. Start a group. Say yes to coffee, even if you’re not sure it’ll be worth it. Isolation is rarely a conscious decision—it’s a slow drift.

Spiritual Health

No, this doesn’t have to mean religion (though it can if that’s your jam). Ask yourself the deeper questions: What still gives me awe? What part of life still feels sacred? What deserves my attention? Again, waiting for a lightning bolt rarely works. But a quiet walk, a moment of gratitude, a journal entry? That’s where depth begins.

Restful Health

Rest is vital—but it’s not the same as passive disengagement. Purposeful rest restores. It’s not just about naps or vacations (which can be awesome too); it’s about what replenishes your soul. Make sure your downtime feeds you, not merely numbs you.

The Real Risk of Waiting

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the longer you wait to start shaping your post-career life, the more likely you are to settle for something that looks fine on the outside—but feels hollow on the inside.

And no, this isn’t about launching a non-profit or writing a novel (unless you want to). It’s about living on purpose. Even the smallest shift—starting your mornings differently, reaching out to an old college buddy, trying something that engages you, even though it my seem scary at first.

So don’t wait for clarity. Create it.

Don’t buy the lie that you’ll “figure it out later.” Later doesn’t knock—it waits for you to move. And if you want to flourish, it’s time to lace up and take that step.

If you would like to learn more, please log into www.theflourishingretiree.net or reach out to me at theflourishingretiree@gmail.com. Would love to talk more about how I can help.

Sources

1. Wang, M., & Shultz, K. S. (2010). Employee retirement: A review and recommendations for future investigation. Journal of Management, 36(1), 172–206.

2. Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 865–878.