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Brew Your Retirement - By Rajat Mathur


What an interesting concept!

Honestly, retirement is not something people of my age think about much. But these days, it almost feels like people do so much in their 20s and 30s that by their 40s they are already dreaming about slowing down and “retiring” from the hustle.

That’s why I feel “Brew Your Retirement” by Rajat Mathur is a book for everyone who has crossed 10-15 years of their professional journey.

One passage that really stayed with me was:

“I’d linger a little longer over breakfast. Take the longer, more scenic route on my walk. Sit with a book, not because I had the time, but because I wanted to. And the oddest part? The guilt began to fade. I didn’t feel unproductive. I felt human. I felt myself.”

This felt so true.

And then there was this line:

“And sometimes, imagining is the most important step before the real thing happens.”

Loved it.

One of the funniest yet deepest sections was about retirees continuing to wear work clothes for no reason. Ironing clothes just to read the newspaper!

It reminded me of the lockdown days when we would joke about getting dressed to move from one room to another. But underneath the humour is a deeper reality; how difficult it must be to switch to a casual lifestyle after spending decades getting ready for work every single day.

Another line that stayed with me:

“Retirement is not about becoming an overnight expert. It is about giving yourself permission to try. To play. To be a beginner again without shame.”

While reading this book, I kept thinking about my father and so many retired people around us who seem to be living life at their own pace. It’s actually a very comforting and a cute sight.

At the same time, the identity crisis part is a little scary and it did give a food for thought: 

Who are we without our professional title? Who are we without our work? Without the appreciation and recognition that often comes with our profession?

But before we even get to retirement, isn’t it important to have hobbies and passions that we genuinely enjoy while we are working? I feel our hobbies make us who we are beyond our LinkedIn headline.

One day, when we retire, we will be left with our likes, dislikes, interests, and passions.

Maybe that’s why it’s important to keep our passions alive and visible. When work is no longer the centre of our lives, those passions can become our identity and maybe even our IKIGAI.

For many of us, work itself is our IKIGAI. And when retirement arrives, that transition may not always be easy.

The book has so many relatable moments; not just for people thinking about retirement, but also for those managing their everyday lives while somewhere in the back of their minds wondering if they should pursue something they truly enjoy.

It's a book that can connect with readers at different stages of life. Rajat has brought together a lot of practical thoughts, experiences, and insights in a very simple and engaging way. Truly a beautifully consolidated read! 

A beautiful thought from the book sums it up perfectly:

“You aren’t retiring; you’re rewiring.”

AS: Happy Reading!😀


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Location: Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

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