From Dreaming to Planning to Redesigning: More Ways to Make It Real

Some people put more energy into planning a wedding or a birthday party than into preparing for their retirement. I noticed this years ago when I worked as a financial adviser, and I still notice it now as a financial hypnotherapist. Retirement is one of those topics that rarely comes up in casual conversation. My grandfather used to say, “Don’t talk about politics and religion.” Now that I am an adult, I’d add retirement, menopause, and money to that list. They’re all subjects many people avoid until they can’t anymore.

Avoiding the subject doesn’t make the reality go away. Because this isn’t a sexy topic I feel like eyes glace over when I start this conversation. Part of me feels like I’m by myself, but something tells me I’m not. Could be the statistics or it could be what I’m seeing in everyday life. 

And while I’m still dedicated to my old dream of retirement, I’m also learning to make the changes necessary to enjoy my new version of retirement. Embracing change doesn’t mean giving up. You can also weave your old dreams into your current situation. It might look different than what you imagined, but it can still be authentically you.

I’m willing to talk about retirement and get feedback, because maybe someone else has a clue that can help me solve this mystery. This week, I want to go deeper into that idea and share more ways to get creative with your retirement plan. But first, I have a question for you: how many of you are actually enjoying the process of planning for retirement or living the retirement you once thought you’d planned?

The Retirement Reality Check

The numbers tell us a sobering story, especially for Black Americans.

• Only about 54% of Black and Asian employees ages 25–64 work for an employer that sponsors a retirement plan, compared to 62% of White employees (National Institute on Retirement Security).
  
  
• Even among Black workers earning $75,000 or more, just 77% report they’ve saved for retirement, compared to 87% of non-Black Americans at the same income level (Employee Benefit Research Institute).
  
  
• Median retirement savings among Black households are significantly lower than White households (not news) but this means that even when we save, we’re often starting from a disadvantaged position (Society of Actuaries, AARP).
  
  

That’s the bad news. Layer onto it rising healthcare costs, food inflation, housing challenges, and unexpected family expenses it’s easy to feel behind before you even start.

But there’s good news too. Many people are reimagining retirement instead of giving up on it. Research shows that more retirees today are finding meaning in part-time work, creative pursuits, and community involvement. People are traveling in smaller bursts, turning hobbies into income, downsizing into vibrant communities, and focusing on health and connection rather than just a number in the bank. 

A Harder Look at Accepting Change

Last week I talked about letting go of the “magic number” I once believed I needed to retire. But accepting change goes beyond adjusting a target figure. It means being willing to face the facts of your situation without sugarcoating them.

Maybe your retirement age has to move back. Maybe downsizing your home is no longer optional but necessary. Maybe the part-time consulting work you once thought of as “extra” income is now going to be part of your core plan.

Too often, we keep clinging to the old picture, in many different areas in life including retirement. We cling to a picture built years ago, under circumstances that no longer exist. Inflation, career changes, family responsibilities, health concerns amongst other things, all alter the equation. If we ignore that, we set ourselves up for disappointment. If we accept it, we give ourselves permission to design something workable.

So acceptance isn’t passive. It’s not saying, “Oh well, I’ll just settle.” It’s saying: Here’s where I actually am. What can I realistically build from here? 

Getting Practical and Creative

Once you’ve accepted the current picture, creativity becomes the tool that allows you to move forward. Creativity means being open to solutions you might not have considered before.

Here are a few practical ways to apply creativity:

• Reframe work: Retirement doesn’t always mean “stop working.” Many retirees are shifting into work they enjoy more, even if it pays less. Consulting, teaching, or turning a hobby into income can stretch savings without feeling like drudgery.
  
  
• Reimagine housing: For some, that means downsizing. For others, it means house-sharing with family or friends, or even co-housing communities where costs are shared and social connection is built in. It could also mean living in a new country full of brain new experiences and cheaper housing options.
  
  
• Use layers of income: Instead of relying on one vehicle, combine streams — modest Social Security, small business income, part-time work, and conservative investment tools like annuities or cash-value life insurance. None are perfect, but together they can create stability. Having multiple streams of income is true wealth.
  
  
• Build in flexibility: Don’t lock yourself into one rigid plan. Create room for adjustments like a smaller vacation instead of a big one, or delaying large purchases until the market stabilizes.
  
  
• Protect health: Rising healthcare costs are one of the biggest risks to retirement. Prioritizing wellness, preventive care, and smart insurance choices now can protect your finances later. Your health can get in the way of your enjoying and affording retirement. So protect your health.
  
  

These aren’t glamorous changes or even innovative. That’s because sometimes the most creative thing you can do is choose practical steps that actually move the plan forward.

Holding On While Letting Go

You don’t have to give up to let go. Choosing a version of your dream you can actually live now is letting go of the old while creating something new. You may not retire to a mansion, but you can plan for travel, even if it’s in smaller, more intentional doses. You may not stop working entirely. You may have to keep going but choose to shift into work that feeds your spirit instead of drains it. 

Planning While Living Now

Here are a few practices I’m embracing that you might try:

• Budget for joy: Set aside a little each month for something that lights you up.
  
  
• Purpose-driven side hustle: Use your skills to bring in income and fulfillment. Doesn’t have to be a lot. But make sure it at least covers a bill or two.
  
  
• Micro-retirements: Plan shorter breaks, sabbaticals, or experiences instead of waiting for one big retirement. Maybe you take a year off at first knowing that you’ll need to go back to part-time.
  
  
• Stay connected: Retirement isn’t solo — family, church, community, and mentors all matter. Get advice and assistance where you can.
  
  
• Regular financial check-ups: Even small tweaks in spending, debt, or taxes can make a big difference over time. My biggest recommendation is to make sure you pay down as much debt as you can before retirement. This will help lower the amount of stress that comes with monthly expenses.
  

Owning the Fear, Sharing the Story

I sometimes feel alone in this. I think many people are embarrassed to admit they feel (or fell) behind. Some pretend everything is fine, only to be blindsided later. But it’s okay to admit fear. Vulnerability can build community. Maybe if more of us talk openly about retirement struggles, fewer of us will feel alone.

Over the next two weeks, I’ll keep writing about this topic, partly because I need to process it myself, and partly because I hope you’ll feel less alone too. Retirement doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. It just has to be yours.

Also, I have a group where we focus on redesigning our lives. Most of us started this journey because we were losing sleep. If you find that you are losing sleep then maybe you’d like to join the Control the Controllable group. If so, start by completing this form and getting this free sleep resource. It will help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up at the right time feeling refreshed. Get it now!