Dear LPG readers,

While everyone’s 65+ story is different, some people ease themselves into retirement by gradually letting go of the world of work. In contrast, others come to it after an agreed long-awaited date. The gradual transition is the best way to take the retirement plunge, but it can be a cruel awakening for those who had it hit them square between the eyes on Monday morning after the previous Friday afternoon’s full day’s work. 

 My experience taught me that you face a new learning curve after retiring. This includes a time void we need to fill, even if we allow a month or so for that complete period of indulgence and rest we promised ourselves. 

Every retiree indeed has a back catalogue of experiences with which to enter this phase of our lives, but in some ways, entering retirement is like starting again.   

There is the reality that so many of our daily friends are left behind at work, forcing us to make new ones that we won’t always agree with.  There is also that sudden reality that many of your younger family members, particularly sons and daughters of a certain age, might begin to imply that they know what is best for you despite you having not lost the use of your mental faculties and having your ideas as to where your future is going.

There will be conflicts, disagreements, and arguments of varying intensity, and having been a part of one recently, I did a little research into the art of getting to the other end of them with the best outcome. Some are big and personal; then there are the political ones, the social ones can be challenging, and the ones triggered by the smallest of off-the-cuff comments.  Some people will have paid attention all their lives and have an instinct for not getting to the end of a verbal confrontation without too much damage. Still, I wondered if there were some tricks and tips that those who have to learn to put a point across successfully (argue) all over again could understand. The internet did not disappoint. 

I thought that a few of my fellow readers might benefit from learning about the fundamentals that I found there, such as trying your best not to raise your voice, letting the other person put all their points before interjecting, repeating them so that the other person knows that you have been listening to them before you place your point of view,  preparing at least five reasons why you might have a point and be ready to use them as ammunition when needed, and remembering that even if the other person thinks that they have won, if your perception of the situation has not changed they have won nothing.

It all makes perfect sense.  I hope I remember all I learned when I find myself at the beginning of my next confrontational discussion and that the information I hope LPG linked below might trigger when I need it most.  Perhaps preparation is the key… 

KU, Ladywell

 KU shares a few tips and tricks for coming off well at the end of an argument…

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