Retirement Manifesto

While in Barnes and Noble bookstore I was drawn to the beautiful cover of a new magazine. I sat down on a nearby chair and took a few minutes to delight in the lovely pictures and graphics. Surprisingly it was the last page of the magazine titled magnolia manifesto that really captured my attention. It was a statement of the founders' core values and beliefs. In a sense, the manifesto serves as a manual for how they aspirate to live their lives and lead their company. 

My inspiration for writing comes from a variety of places, and on this day it was simply the idea that a retirement manifesto could bring clarity and intention to how I want to live in retirement. And even more, maybe a manifesto could help couples to find their way in retirement.

What is a manifesto?

A manifesto is a statement of your core values. It may include beliefs, goals and wisdom you have gained over the years. When writing a manifesto, consider your vision for the future, what you believe to be true, and your intentions. Keep the language strong and affirmative. The meaning and purpose should be evident and explicit.

Getting started:

Begin by brainstorming ideas of how you want to experience your retirement years. You may find it easier to write a personal manifesto first, and then discuss a joint statement. You don't have to know exactly what you're going to write when you begin. And with time you'll probably want to amend your manifesto.

The following sentence stems will help you get started. Repeat or modify them so that they represent your beliefs and vision for the future.

We believe that…

We want to…

We know this to be true…

We believe in seeking…

We love…

We are committed to…

We want to live in a relationship where…

And of all heroic pursuits large and small, we believe there may be none greater than…

Once you have written your retirement manifesto, I suggest creating a beautiful document and displaying it where you'll regularly be reminded of your commitment to these core value and intentions. Don't forget to review your manifesto often. Amend it as life changes. Expand it as you grow and mature. This is a living document—a manual for creating the life you want to live in retirement.

Copyright 2017. Patrice Jenkins. All Rights Reserved.