The Pickleball Generation

The Fertile Void

We see this firsthand with many of our clients, successful in their own fields and financially secure as they transition to their new life. Some love the freedom to explore new challenges or engage in activities they didn't have time for when they were climbing the career ladder.

For others, there's a sense of loss -- loss of purpose in their life and a loss of structure in their daily schedule. 

Some look at this period of transition as a 'fertile void.' This concept was first coined by psychotherapists Fritz and Gloria Perls, who defined it as a state of "not knowing, a precursor to something new and generative, and perhaps even the state of feeling simultaneously empty and full at the same time."

As you approach retirement, your life is full of possibilities -- it's just that the possibilities haven't necessarily been identified yet.

So, where should you look for your possibilities? One option: pickleball. Or, rather, what pickleball represents.

The Pickleball Generation

You've no doubt seen the rise of pickleball in your neighborhood. The mashup of tennis, badminton, and Ping-Pong has taken off in recent years, becoming the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. And while it's popular with people of all ages, it seems to have really caught on with people of a certain age. In fact, according to a 2022 report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, more than half of core pickleball players are 55 or older, while almost a third are over 65. 

We believe there are four main reasons why the sport is particularly popular with this age group. One, it'sactive. It keeps its players motivated to move, without imposing too much physical strain. Two, it'sdoable. It's accessible, inexpensive to play, and easy to learn. Three, it'ssocial. It brings people together and has built-in interactivity. And, finally, it'sfun. (If you've played pickleball, you know.) 

A Post-Retirement Blueprint

We're not saying the solution to figuring out what to do for the rest of your life is to just play pickleball (even if it is a lot of fun). 

Rather, the reasons pickleball is great could provide a blueprint to selecting meaningful pursuits during a retiree's transition to a new chapter of life. Let's revisit them.

• It's active: We have worked hard in our careers. We still want to be active and engaged, but in ways that are meaningful to us and allow us to give back to others.
• It's doable: We've already developed our skills through school, technical degrees, and work. Let's find something fulfilling that doesn't require a lot of development but does allow us to grow and be challenged as much as we want.
• It's social: Many people say the biggest rewards of their careers is the social connections they developed. That doesn't change in retirement. Walk down this new path with others.
• It's fun: Your career may have been fulfilling, but if you're like most, it was equally important to pursue work that provided financial stability. In this next phase, focus on things that fulfill you.

If you found a career that brought you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, those goals don't have to change in retirement. The difference is that instead of working to feed your family and build a home, you now have the opportunity to feed your inspiration and build upon other things you are passionate about.

Some may find a passion to give back to the community. Others may decide to start a new business, like a bakery. Some recognize that their work experience would benefit others and offer to mentor young professionals. And some, yes, become addicted to pickleball.

If you are approaching retirement, remember, it is not just about what you are retiringfrom, but rather what you are retiringto. The beauty is that the choice is yours to find what is fulfilling to you!