When it comes to retirement, this is what I visualize: warm, sandy beaches mixed in with my grandchildren’s laughter. That’s as close as heaven on earth as I’m going to get in this lifetime, and saying I’m looking forward to it is an understatement. While my expectations for retirement are pretty enjoyable and relaxing, many baby boomers are facing the opposite: a stressful, financially challenging situation to be overcome, rather than enjoyed. And while some worries are certainly valid, some things are probably less of a problem than we might imagine.

In a survey from the Satisfying Retirement blog (www.satisfyingretirement.com), retirees were asked about their experience, and some of those answers might help ease some of the common fears about retirement planning. For instance, retirees do often downsize and cut their living costs…by choice. I know that after working years to get my mortgage almost paid off and fixing up my home to fit my taste and style, I can’t imagine selling. But eventually, the upkeep might get to be too much of a time demand, and once all of my time is my own again, I’m going to be pretty picky about how I parcel it out. Time is the most precious commodity that we have, and I think we become more aware of that as we age.

Another takeaway from this survey relates directly to married couples, and the importance of still having some separate hobbies and activities. You don’t have to do everything together, and it’s kind of fun to discover a new hobby that you can then share with your spouse. I’ve been married for almost 30 years, and I know that I’ll drive that poor man crazy if I try to spend every spare moment with him. So I have plans to take up some hobbies that have interested me for years, and enjoy that time of personal growth.

One thing that is not surprising about this survey is that health is the No. 1 concern for retirees. If you’ve planned for your retirement and saved throughout your working life, an unexpected illness can still completely change your lifestyle. There’s no silver bullet for this concern though, but investing in healthy living now and considering long term health insurance can give you some peace of mind. Of course, you have to make the decision that’s right for you, and speaking with a financial counselor and your doctor is a good place to start when it comes to decisions regarding your physical and financial well-being.

Finally, one other thing that most of the respondents agreed on is that retirement is an ongoing process. I know that right now, I’m thinking of retirement as a goal, so obviously, that last day of work is the finish line. But that’s not truly the case. You don’t have to have everything figured out the day you retire; planning how you’ll spend your retirement, where you’ll live, and how you’ll spend that hard earned money is going to change throughout the years.

So my dreams still involve lots of travel and tons of time with the family. Visualizing that dream makes me that much more motivated to achieve it, and I’m going to try and put some of those retirement worries to rest. Here’s hoping that you’re able to do the same. I’m Retiring Tina, and I still have some work to do.