Learn how to find meaning and purpose in retirement after a life in public service with retired librarian and current retirement coach Susan Hawk Schneider. 

For most, retirement is a release from the necessity of a job that paid your way through the life you and your family desired. For people who dedicated their working lives to jobs in public service, retirement can be a little more complicated.

On this episode of Retirement Revealed, I had the pleasure of speaking with Susan Schneider, who dedicated 41 years to public service at the Department of Health and Human Services. Susan’s experience ranged from being a medical librarian at the National Library of Medicine to working in organizational development and coaching. Like many others retiring from civic roles, her journey to retirement brought unexpected twists.

Reflecting on her transition, Susan shared, “I thought coaching would be easier than it actually was for me,” highlighting the challenges she encountered while pursuing new passions. Her story underscores the importance of preparation and flexibility when moving into retirement.

While still working, Susan had a vision for her retirement: coaching new supervisors in the federal system and conducting workshops. However, as she noted, “Some things came about through serendipity.” One unexpected opportunity was joining the Retirement Coaches Association, which connected her with like-minded individuals, including myself.

Beyond coaching, Susan recognized the importance of maintaining social connections, an essential factor for well-being in retirement. She consciously built new social networks through art classes, where she developed a love for collage and multimedia art.

Susan’s artistic pursuits led her to discover Andrea Watts of “Unglued You,” who uses collage as a creative coaching technique. Susan found this approach incredibly meaningful, saying, “Images are so powerful—they help envision life after retirement in ways words alone cannot.”

The process involves selecting images from various magazines, assembling them into a collage, and interpreting the themes that emerge. This exercise taps into the subconscious and helps retirees visualize their post-work life creatively.

Here are some takeaways from Susan’s journey:

Susan’s journey reminds us that retirement is not just about financial planning—it’s about envisioning a fulfilling and meaningful life. Whether it’s through art, coaching, or building new social connections, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. What matters is finding joy and purpose in this new chapter.

If you’re curious about discovering what your retirement could look like, perhaps it’s time to start ripping pages from magazines and let your imagination guide you!

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