As you already know, retirement is a new phase of life that will understandably require some adjustment. There are countless books and articles written on this topic every day. For example, our blog is a great resource for learning more about the financial, social, and psychological effects of retirement. But did you know movies can sometimes be a worthy resource too? To have a little fun, we decided to collect seven lessons from famous movies that offer some pretty good advice for your retirement.
Lessons and Quotes from Famous Movies
1. Be ready for your retirement. As Forrest says in Forrest Gump, “My mama always said you've got to put the past behind you before you can move on.” Certainly, one’s past accomplishments and legacy is important; however, it is just as important to recognize the joy and fulfillment this new phase of life can bring.
Retirement years open the door for to fulfill new dreams after leaving work behind. You have a chance to reinvent yourself and achieve goals you had to put off until you had more time to work on them. So, remember the past and cherish the good memories, but know you can move on to accomplish even greater things in your future.
2. Remain confident and positive about your retirement. In the movie Gladiator, Maximus utters “You’ve got this. Most of the time, the challenges you face are those you were already built to handle.” Retirement is something new and has its own set of challenges, but it is certainly something we can handle if we have prepared and planned ahead.
So, try not to worry about the unknown. As is true in every phase of our lives, a positive outlook and confident posture makes us “battle-ready” for any potential obstacles we may face. They say we grow wiser as we grow older. Take that knowledge you learned over the years and put it to good use now when embarking on your golden years.
3. Choose to be strongminded. Dory of Finding Nemo is not where one thinks to look for good retirement advice. Nonetheless, perseverance and determination are reiterated in Dory’s famous quote, “When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming.” Being strongminded is not just for the workplace, it will also help keep you mentally healthier in your retirement years.
Dory’s strength of mind coupled with her enduring optimism enabled her to face her challenges and turn them into adventures. And while Finding Nemo is an animated film, many animated characters portray real-life philosophies that everyone can identify with and embrace.
4. Be present every single day. We all know Yoda gives Luke great advice. In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda declares, “All his life has he looked away…to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was.” This piece of advice is also good for retirees. You will have more time to enjoy each moment and notice the seemingly little things that occur each day.
Whether your days are filled with gardening, vacationing, or grandchildren (or all of these and more), being present in the moments doing things you love is good for the soul. So, stop and smell the flowers. Take in all the sights and sounds of your vacations. And, know that your grandchildren will forever treasure each moment you spend with them, listening to their hopes and dreams and fears.
5. Choose to stay active. Dumbledore of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets says it best, “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are…it is our choices.” Exercise is obviously vital at all ages of life.
While you must be aware of your limitations as you grow older, you must also commit to doing what you can. The choice of exercising and staying fit in retirement not only facilitates muscle strength and agility, it can help maintain mental health, as well.
6. Remain adventurous. Travel is something most people look forward to at retirement. Now is your chance to take Bert’s advice in Mary Poppins, “There’s the whole world at your feet!” Get out there and explore! Your dream may be to travel the globe, but even if you prefer to play tourist in your own city, visiting places you’ve never been can be exciting and fun.
7.Give back to your community. If you always wished you could do more for your own community, retirement is your chance. Fred Rogers said in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, “Look for the helpers. You'll always find people who are helping.” If you are able, become a helper. Not only will it keep you active and engaged, but your community will also benefit greatly from the experience and wisdom only you can provide.
Of course, these quotes may have different connotations within the movie. And quotes always have different meanings to different people. Still, making an effort to live by the lessons in these quotes can help provide fulfillment during your retirement years.