Retirement Blues

[roogirl]

Hello,

Wondering if you ever get used to being retired? It's been almost a year now since I retired and I'm still going through an adjustment period, feeling all over the shop and my anxiety is none too happy I can tell you. I'm involved in other things such as voluntary work and walking group, but not the same as working full time 5 days a week. I don't miss my job as such, but the routine and being needed I guess. I live alone and have done for many years (divorced) and have never felt lonely before, but I do now and feel quite isolated at times. I have supportive family and friends, but they also have their own lives. I'm considering moving to a retirement village where I may not feel quite so alone. I will do my research thoroughly before making any long term decisions. Anyone else out there who has been down this road, I would like any opinions on how you have coped or are coping.

Roogirl

[Guest_2496]

Thanks for your reply Roogirl.

At least you had a plan even if it went wrong ha ha - I jumped ship without a plan, not a good move...and I didn't speak to anyone til now (psychologist I mean) which is why it's taken so long, I think, to get on top of the change.

Like you I have children and grandchildren but I feel very alone. I will look for some more volunteering, and perhaps a course as well. And thank you for your kind thoughts - will keep looking for that light 🙂

[PamelaR]

Hi Glenda

Thank you for getting back to me. Yes, it does take a while to get used to it. Though I must admit, I am truly enjoying the freedom of not working anymore.

It took me a while to get me in the right head space for this. Like you and others - it's really odd not having that routine of getting up and going to work. I did it for 50 years! Then all of a sudden - nothing. No responsibility to anyone.

Over the past 18 months I've been using this time to find out who I am. Having worked the majority of my life, the me was this 'working person'. (Never having children). However there is so much more to life than that. I now realise I should have worked outside, maybe been a national park ranger. Now I spend so much of my time outside, outside of 4 walls and airconditioning. I'm still not sure who I am, but I've found there is a creative side to me - I'm doing loads of photography and editing them in lightroom. The joy I get from this is immense.

Interestingly, before retiring my life was planned for retirement - start my own business, learn to grow organic foods to become self sufficient, volunteer work.

Well I've achieved growing my own food, though doubt whether it will ever be 'self sufficient', volunteer for 2 organisations, but didn't start my own business. As I started looking into it, my mind started saying - why on earth did I want to do that. This time of life I'm supposed to be winding down, relaxing, destressing, enjoying the wonders of the world. So, this goal will never be. But that's okay I'm busy enough, I'm relaxed enough. I also get more exercise than I did when working.

To me one of the biggest things is not to be to hard on yourself. Allow yourself time to get accustomed to the change. It's okay to feel a little anxious about it. But it will settle as you work out a routine for yourself.

I've linked into a group that has monthly meetings in nature - we go looking for birds and other wildlife to photograph. It's fun, we have a wonderful brunch/lunch after and gone camping and resorting together. There are a few retired people, but most work.

Then I'm a member of a photography group that has regular outings and monthly meetings. It keeps me very busy trying to keep up.

I also have made regular catch up time with friends from work.

Plotting everything into a calendar helps to see whats happening for the week and coming months. It helps.

Kind regards

PamelaR