Let's Chat with Ulrike von der Groeben: Reflections on Post-Career Life and Funeral Plans
- *
Pondering her own memorial service arrangements. - User preoccupied with funeral arrangements
In a candid interview with news outlet spot on, Ulrike von der Groeben (68), a former sports expert on "RTL aktuell" for 35 years, discusses her new book, "Freiheit beginnt jetzt!" (ZS Verlag, releasing 7.5.), which combines autobiography and practical retirement advice. Here's a sneak peek into her thoughts on various aspects of life after leaving her professional career, including sports, Long Covid, family dynamics, and even her own funeral plans!
Sports: Fitness and Joy in Retirement
Ulrike shares that she doesn't plan to significantly alter her running and strength training routines, finding solace and health benefits in her favorite activities. Though she admits that Long Covid made running a struggle initially, she remains optimistic about her recovery – grateful that her symptoms are improving compared to others' experiences.
Long Covid: Navigating Recovery
When asked about the lingering effects of Long Covid, Ulrike reveals that she continues to recover, feeling significantly better than at the onset. Although the early stages were challenging, particularly the thought of slow jogs becoming excruciating tasks, she expresses gratitude for her progress.
Family Dynamics: The Unchanging Bond
Ulrike discusses how her relationship with husband Alexander von der Groeben remains largely unaffected by her retirement. They continue to share breakfast after their workouts, with the only difference being an earlier dinner time. Ulrike also mentions expanding her cooking efforts in retirement.
Loose Ends: Tackling the Important Matters
Despite discussing funeral arrangements in her book, Ulrike confesses that she hasn't officially created a patient directive or a will. However, she acknowledges the importance of having these plans in place and expresses her intention to address the matter soon.
The Weight of the Grave: Embracing Mortality
Ulrike discusses how death has become a more present topic in her life, particularly due to recent losses in her circle. She stresses the importance of proper planning for funeral arrangements and even reflects on the music she would like played at her own funeral.
Looking Back: Valuable Insights for Retirement
Reflecting on the writing process for her book, Ulrike emphasizes the importance of identifying one's priorities, both during and post-retirement. She encourages readers to ponder what truly matters to them, communicate their desires with loved ones, and actively work towards those aspirations to make retirement the fulfilling phase they envision.
Wishes After Retirement: A New Horizon
Ulrike doesn't express any specific, unfulfilled post-retirement wishes, instead focusing on the valuable lessons she's learned through the book writing process. However, she does mention a potential houseboat adventure with her husband, dreaming of that life on the water.
So, what's next for Ulrike von der Groeben? Stay tuned to find out more as she embarks on this new phase of her life!
Footnotes:
- Ulrike von der Groeben's book, "Freiheit beginnt jetzt!", discusses retirement matters, including funeral arrangements [Source]
- Ulrike von der Groeben's retirement from "RTL Aktuell" [Source 1] [Source 2]
- Peter Kloeppel, Ulrike's co-host on "RTL Aktuell," reflects on their long-standing partnership [Source]
- Personal stories shared by Ulrike von der Groeben, including a heartwarming anecdote about her marriage [Source 1] [Source 2]
- Ulrike von der Groeben's book focuses on practical retirement advice and personal reflections [Source]
"I'm not sure I'm right, but it seems Ulrike von der Groeben finds solace and health benefits in her favorite sports activities, such as running and strength training, even as she navigates her recovery from Long Covid."
"In her new book, Ulrike von der Groeben discusses the importance of proper planning for funeral arrangements and reflects on the music she would like played at her own funeral, acknowledging the weight of mortality as it becomes a more present topic in her life."
