739. Ten Unexpected Joys of Retirement
Retirement isn't just about stopping work—it's about reclaiming time, presence, and joy in ways most people never anticipate. Dr. Jordan Grummet, who considers himself retired since 2018 despite still working part-time, shares 10 unexpected joys he’s discovered in semi-retirement. From waking up early without rushing to savoring the quiet, to finally being able to wear sweats at noon without guilt, these aren’t the clichés of golf and travel. Instead, he reveals the profound freedom of doing nothing, saying no to good opportunities without regret, and watching money grow without effort. The real surprise? The joy of being present for others, of making money on your own terms, and of simply being—without needing to accomplish anything. He challenges the 'die with zero' mindset, arguing that purpose isn’t tied to spending, but to intentionality. The most radical joy of all? The permission to accomplish nothing—and feel completely at peace with it.
Waking up early in retirement allows for peaceful, unhurried mornings free from the pressure of a packed schedule.
Retirement brings true time abundance—finally being able to dilly-dally, take your time, and say 'not today' without guilt.
For the first time in life, you can focus on health holistically—nutrition, weightlifting, cardio—without squeezing it into a busy schedule.
The freedom to pass up good opportunities without FOMO is a rare and liberating joy of financial independence.
Wearing sweats at noon isn’t about comfort—it’s a symbol of choosing to stay in, not perform, and reclaim control over your day.
…and 5 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction: What Retirement Really Means
Dr. Jordan Grummet introduces the concept of his own semi-retirement since 2018, explaining that financial independence—not just quitting work—defined his retirement. He invites listeners to share their own joys of retirement.
Joy 1 & 2: Early Mornings and Time Abundance
“I've never been able to do that in my life, certainly never been able to do that in my career. And so it is a unique joy of retirement that I didn't even know I was missing out on until I did it.”
Joy 3: Health as a Lifestyle, Not a Chore
“I feel more energetic and good. In fact, in some ways, I feel more energetic than I did in my 20s. Certainly more energetic and fit than I did in my 30s.”
Joy 4: The Freedom to Say No
“I don’t feel guilty and I don’t feel like I’m missing out. I feel like it’s just a decision I made and another good opportunity will come along soon.”
Joy 5: Wearing Sweats at Noon
“I can decide I don't want to leave the house. I can decide it's too snowy and cold and I'm going to stay in all day and never take my sweats off.”
“When you can sit around and say, I can accomplish nothing today, tomorrow or the next day. What you're really saying is I'm very comfortable with the things I've done in the past and I don't need to add to them.”
“I feel really energetic and good. In fact, in some ways, I feel more energetic than I did in my 20s. Certainly more energetic and fit than I did in my 30s.”
“It is one of the few times in life where you will see your accounts rise effortlessly. It won't take time, energy or worry.”
Host
Dr. Jordan Grummet
person
Substack
product
Coben Solberg
person
All the Hacks
media
Chris Hutchins
person
Ramit Sethi
person
Mac Break Weekly
media
Twit Podcast Network
organization
Tech News Weekly
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Leo Laporte
person
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