Life after retirement

Book Review

I chose to read this book precisely because I am one of its target readers, a retired person. Though I crossed the conventional age for retirement two years ago, I continue to do the same job (teaching) with renewed enthusiasm and hence don’t feel like a retired person at all. But I know I will have to face the starkness sooner than later. It won’t be hard because I love reading, writing and travelling.

Neerja Bhatnagar’s book is a forbearing companion to all the retired people who may wish to know certain things like how to make the retired life happier and healthier. What is more important than being happy and healthy especially in one’s retired life? This book offers valuable tips and more. It goes beyond and helps one with certain financial matters too.

Right in the beginning of the book, just after the introductory chapter titled ‘Retirement – A Shock?’, the question is put to the reader: How to be happy? (chapter 2). For a person who is contented and happy (like me 😊) the tips may not be new. But they are definitely worth a reminder. Especially when the happiness and contentment are facing a potential threat from the very fact of retirement. Neerja reminds us of the importance of self-acceptance, living in the present, not taking life for granted, physical self-care, etc. I loved certain counsels like: “The need to please everyone is over. Whole life, people try to please spouses, parents, children, and friends. With age, one realizes the futility of pleasing everyone. Once you realize this, the stress of making others happy is gone. Do things which make you happy and chill! It is time to be a cool grandparent.”

Quite a few of the ensuing chapters are on health and related issues like food. Neerja knows what she is talking about and her counsels are worth paying heed to. That is why I recommend this book to all retired people. They need these counsels. They may know many of these but it is worth being reminded once more.

‘Ageing Gracefully’ (chapter 3) is very important. Who wants grumpy old people? Don’t go around giving unwanted advice to others though you may know better than them with all the experience you have accrued so far. “Do not preach or teach anyone,” says Neerja, “even if you are sure that you are correct.” And never, never be a “complaining monster,” one who is always complaining about “own health, government, children and even retirement.” “As long as you are alive, be happy, humble, and enjoy your innings on the blue planet.”

Certain diseases that the elderly are particularly vulnerable to are discussed in sufficient detail and effective guidelines are provided. Generation gap too gets a chapter. I love Neerja’s sane and very pragmatic advice to the elderly to understand the younger generation and their ways, make necessary compromises, love unconditionally and trust the young. In the end “agree to disagree” where required.

There are very practical guidelines on health insurance, money matters and even cryptocurrency. This last, cryptocurrency, is something that I have never understood and Neerja doesn’t enlighten me better. But that is not a flaw of the book. It is my limitation. Except for that one chapter (on cryptocurrency), the book is very lucid, wise and pragmatic. Hats off to Neerja!

Towards the end there is a look at some government initiatives for the elderly too. I wasn’t aware of https://sacred.dosje.gov.in/ until I read this book.

I wholeheartedly recommend this free book to all retired people. They stand to gain much by reading this.

An extract from the chapter on Depression

PS. Neerja’s book is part of the Blogchatter Ebook Carnival. My book, Humpty Dumpty’s 10 Hats, part of the same Carnival, is also available free here.