The best retirement plan? Stay curious
Why curiosity might be the most underrated retirement strategy
Key takeaways:
Retirement means you’re likely done working. But you shouldn’t quit on curiosity.
Staying curious is good for your mind, body, and spirit - and gives life (and your money) more color and meaning.
You simply need to grant yourself permission to explore, try, and wonder again.
When we’re young, curiosity comes naturally.
We ask questions.
We wander.
We wonder.
Every moment seems to stretch on for hours.
Each day seems to last for years.
Everything feels like a new adventure.
But somewhere along the way, that instinct starts to fade.
We settle into routines.
We choose comfort over the unknown.
We walk familiar paths, not because they inspire us — but because they’re easy.
And our hours and days fly by.
Maybe that’s why travel feels so energizing.
It jolts us out of the ordinary.
It scratches that itch for something new, something different.
It reminds us what it’s like to explore.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to hop on a plane and fly halfway around the world to feel that spark again.
You just have to stay curious.
Retirement isn’t the end of your learning years - it should be the beginning of your best ones yet!
You’ll have more time and space than ever before.
More freedom to pursue what actually interests you.
More room to think, try, ask, and grow.
And that’s not just good for your spirit — it’s good for your brain, your body, and your future.
Curiosity is like a mental multivitamin.
It keeps you sharp.
Resilient.
Engaged.
It gives your days variety and your life color.
Here are just a few ways I’ve seen clients reignite their curiosity:
Picking up an old hobby — or trying one for the first time
(painting, learning Spanish, ballroom dancing, writing poetry…)Starting a monthly “idea dinner” with friends to talk about new books or interesting questions
Volunteering in a new environment and letting the experience teach them (I have a client that combines this with her international travel)
Working with a coach or mentor to explore something new with fresh eyes
Taking a solo trip with no agenda — just to see what catches their attention
None of these are about productivity.
They’re about possibility.
And please don’t overthink this…
It could be as simple as trying a new meal or a new genre of book or music.
Anything to shake up your regular routines.
Here’s a gentle nudge: keep learning.
Keep wondering.
Keep exploring.
Not because you should.
But because you can.
Your curiosity isn’t something you lost.
But it might be something you’re out of practice with.
And retirement might just be the perfect time to rediscover it.
Reply or leave a comment below and let me know what you’re curious about these days.
Retirement wisdom from Morgan Housel
I stumbled across this excerpt from the Diary of a CEO podcast with Morgan Housel.
If you have 18 minutes, it’s worth watching:
Thanks for reading.
Until next Wednesday,
Russ