prolog

Chapter 1: Time, the Beginning of a Second Life

The courage to start again
Time flows only forward
Living a life of depth
Today is the face of tomorrow

Chapter 2: Words and Declarations Change Lives

The moment words become reality
The power of numbers
Changes after the declaration
The courage to write a new life

Chapter 3: Focus and Immersion Created by Deadlines

There has to be an end to move
My own schedule
The Psychology of Tension and Immersion
Blueprint drawn by deadline

Chapter 4: Life Planning: The Foundation for Building Myself

Self-Awareness: Where Do I Stand Now?
Health check
Financial Analysis
Time usage analysis
Relationships and Interests Map

Goal Management: Life Needs Strategy, Too
Long-term goals
Quarterly/Monthly Plan
Execution Roadmap
Running and Testing: Creating Living Maps
Post-run feedback
Modifications according to changes
Motivation to persist

Chapter 5: The Four Pillars of Life

The Power of a Balanced Life
The danger of being strong on only one side
Life Portfolio
Check from today
Build four pillars
Pillar 1: Health Care
Pillar 2: Relationships and Community
Pillar 3: Growth and Joy
Pillar 4: Foundation (Finances, Records, Spirituality)
Small but sure action
Prioritize
Break it down into smaller goals
Make it a habit to record and check

Chapter 6: Living Together Makes Us Happier

Relationships are made of will.
There is no natural relationship
Contact is the bridge of the heart
Relationships are like sparks
Principles of trust and reciprocity
Broadening and deepening relationships
intentional encounter
Projects we work on together
New connections, open minds
Small habits, deep relationships
Breaking the Loneliness and Isolation
The power of approaching first
Reading the isolation signal
Share my story
Listen to the other person's story
Connecting with the Community

Chapter 7: A Challenge That Never Stops Even As You Age

Age is just a number, possibilities are endless
A new beginning, not an end
The competitiveness of experience
The belief that “you can do it”
Opportunities for learning and creation
Offline and Community Learning
Learning in the Digital Age
Entrepreneurship and Re-challenge
Creative records and expressions
The Value of Service and Mentoring
Share your experience
Me expanding through service
Traces of mentoring

Chapter 8: A Life of Responsibility Until the End

The courage to prepare for death
Take responsibility till the end
Plan instead of fear
The moment today becomes clear
A worthy finish
Writing a will
Choosing a funeral method
Organ donation intention
Leaving memories and stories
Writing a memoir
Photos and videos
Communicating values ​​and beliefs

Chapter 9: The Joy of Putting Down Roots in the Local Area

The meaning of life that remains in the region
From leaving to staying
The Power of the Declaration of Settlement
Protect me, save the region
Growing with the region
Returning experience and knowledge to the region
Regional Studies in Practice
local community projects
Local lifestyle
Discover the charm of the region
local network
Ripening with the region

Epilogue

This book arose from the author's long-standing concerns.
Meeting many people who are nearing or have already retired has made me realize that retirement is not simply an end, but a new beginning.
Some people talked about grand plans for retirement, but ended up wandering around, not knowing how to spend their time there. Others, after an unprepared retirement, spent their days in isolation and emptiness.
Their appearance demanded constant reflection from the author, and this book is a small fruition of such long reflection.
Retirement in life is not a stop, but the starting point of another life.
In the face of this new situation, we can finally take up the dreams we've been putting off and begin the things we've been unable to do.
Retirement is actually a valuable opportunity to live the life you truly want.

The core of this book is summarized in two declarations.
One is the “Declaration to Live Longer,” and the other is the “Declaration to Settle Locally.”
It's not just about living longer, it's a declaration of how you'll spend the rest of your life, a decision to put down roots in the place where you live now instead of moving further away.
To support this, I attempted life planning from a management by objectives (MBO) perspective.
Each chapter draws on insights from psychology, philosophy, and sociology, as well as examples from literature and history, and includes exercises, diagnostic tools, checklists, and worksheets.
Through this, readers will be able to examine and redesign their own lives.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to those who helped bring this book to life.
The advice and manuscript review of Director Yoo Chang-ki of the Cheonan Institute of Academic Studies, who is still living a wonderful life even in his late 70s after retiring from teaching, was of great help.
Additionally, the research fellows at the Cheonan Institute of Agricultural Sciences and the numerous retirees the author has met have also been a valuable source of inspiration in completing this book.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to CEO Jaehoon Jeong of Yoonseongsa for kindly allowing me to publish this book.
- October 2025
At Damyeonjae, Sim Jae-kwon