"New Beginnings" Ulrike von der Groeben, Stepping into a Brighter Tomorrow
Former politician Ulrike von der Groeben currently resides in her retirement.
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Ulrike von der Groeben is a familiar face, a colleague you'd invite for a casual chat. She's the kind of woman who neatly arranges things before the cleaning lady arrives, laughing heartily one minute and delving deep the next. She prefers climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator, demonstrating her agility, yet cherishing her peaceful downtime. She speaks her mind candidly but diplomatically.
Sitting in her daughter's converted work and sports room, Ulrike discusses her retirement, laughing about her constant need to tidy up. She admits that her children's departure is part of the natural order, yet she's penned a book entitled "Let's be on a first-name basis," revealing her plans for the future.
Let's dive into the topic of retirement. How's that treating you? It seems like you've got a lot going on.
(laughs) You'd think so, but it's actually less chaotic now. I'm writing another book, giving interviews, and hosting podcasts and talk shows. I've also been traveling, which is something I've always enjoyed. However, I haven't had time for myself or the insights I've gained from my experts.
Perhaps it's a good thing to ease into retirement instead of abruptly stopping. After all, you certainly enjoyed your profession.
Exactly. But I didn't rush the process: when I reached retirement age, I was persuaded, albeit not hard, to continue. I said I could only do half as much, not wanting to commit to more than that. I limited it to a year. Then I did another half year because they said it would be nice for Peter (Kloeppel) and I to retire together and have a big farewell. We thought that was great. But then, I really didn't want to continue. I was done, I had everything wrapped up. I didn't want to go to work every day, stress out about coming up with new topics—no. As much joy as it gave me, it's time to move on. Politics aside, I'm 68 now, and I don't need all that anymore.
What's your support system saying?
My friends say, "Ulrike, you'll miss it." I don't think so! I don't have to be in the public eye anymore. I'm deeply convinced that I crave peace and quiet. And I'll be relieved when I finally have it, after the book tour, hopefully by the end of my summer vacation.
Sports and fitness have always been an essential part of your life. What do you value more—a toned body or the ability to sit comfortably in an armchair and read for hours?
You can't do much about how your body ages naturally, but you can maintain your body with targeted workouts, and regular exercise offers numerous benefits. I've always enjoyed sports, and it'll continue to be part of my life. I can also sit comfortably and read, which I've neglected as a pastime for quite some time. Reading for pleasure soon is something I'm really looking forward to.
Are you tackling the stack of books you've accumulated over the years?
Yes, and I'll even allow myself to stop reading a book if it doesn't manage to hold my interest. I've gotten into the habit of not finishing a book if it doesn't grab me after 70 pages. It's a habit I wouldn't have developed before, but I find it liberating now.
What are you reading now?
The new Joachim Meyerhoff "Man Can Also Fall Upwards"—fantastic!
I can't escape advertising, industry, and my Instagram algorithm pushing 'tummy away' offers and nutritional supplements at me, especially now that I'm a woman of a certain age. Will it ever stop?
(laughs) I don't think so. As I approach my 70s, the focus will likely shift to maintaining my current state. Can you maintain looking ten years younger forever? I don't think so. Society has its standards, and we all have different ways of dealing with aging. I come from a generation that learned to accept age with dignity. And then you carry your wrinkles with dignity. You can choose to dye your hair, but ultimately, it's about self-acceptance.
Do you see yourself as a role model?
I don't see myself as a role model in the strictest sense, but I'm proud of my fitness and the way I've remained active. I also strive to inspire others to embrace their bodies as they are, encouraging a more balanced and realistic approach to aging.
How did you meet your co-author, Anna Butterbrod?
Through the publisher. I really didn't want to write a book at first, but they were persistent, and luckily, they paired me with Anna, who has written many guides. And then I started to see the value in planning my retirement and structuring my thoughts. I realized that I could help others by sharing a few ideas and tips. For example, I've spoken with many young colleagues who said they'd share my book with their parents—a sign that there's a need for information on this subject.
You don't have to read the book cover to cover. You can choose the chapters that interest you most.
Yes, and then you can begin by gathering information about topics like retirement and volunteering. You can then move on to other topics that catch your interest or skip those that don't. Ultimately, the book offers a flexible approach, catering to the unique needs and preferences of each reader.
So, to summarize—start planning your retirement early, be mindful of your finances, prioritize mental and physical health, and maintain social connections.
Right. I'm fortunate to have been able to enjoy a gradual retirement, and I look forward to embracing a new phase of life. My book aims to help others do the same, making the transition to retirement more manageable and enjoyable.
With Ulrike von der Groeben spoke Sabine Oelmann
Sources: ntv.de
Tags: RTL | Retirement | Seniors | Literature
- Ulrike von der Groeben is currently writing another book, giving interviews, and hosting podcasts and talk shows, demonstrating that retirement doesn't mean an end to activities.
- Ulrike von der Groeben, in her book entitled "Let's be on a first-name basis," reveals her plans for the future, which involve more peace and quiet.
- Ulrike von der Groeben believes that maintaining her body through targeted workouts and regular exercise is important, but values the ability to sit comfortably and read for hours just as much.
- Ulrike von der Groeben adopts a liberating habit of stopping a book if it doesn't hold her interest after 70 pages.
- Ulrike von der Groeben reads Joachim Meyerhoff's "Man Can Also Fall Upwards" and places emphasis on self-acceptance when it comes to aging.
- Ulrike von der Groeben, through her book and interactions, aims to inspire others to embrace their bodies as they are, encouraging a more balanced and realistic approach to aging.