Retirement opens up a veritable Pandora’s box of opportunities and emotions. Suddenly, you have freedom for new hobbies, social connections, and the time to finally do all the things you ever wanted to do! Days no longer filled with schedules and career demands can simultaneously feel exciting and scary.
What will you do with all that time?! Now that there’s no longer forced interaction through work, how will you connect with others? And even more intrinsically, who are you without the job or career that’s defined you for so long?
Our first and most important piece of advice is: take it slow. Give yourself some grace in processing what’s passed and take the time to truly think about what’s next and how to approach it. What do you want out of this precious gift of time?
One of the best things you can do before launching into any activity is to take the time to explore that question: What do you want? Start by feeling gratitude for the life you’ve lived so far, and then turn your focus to the ways in which you’d like to redefine it.
Starting a journal is a proven stress reliever and a useful aid in gaining perspective. Make simple lists of likes and dislikes or things you’d like to accomplish. Setting goals can give some shape to the “blank sheet of paper” that retirement represents.
If the transition is hitting you harder than expected, do not be shy about seeking out personal counseling or therapy. Talking things through with a mental health professional can help you to discover new perspectives on this complicated time. Mental health is crucial to promoting active and healthy aging.
Without the constructs of a busy work life, you may find yourself feeling lost or even lonely at first. Now is the time to nurture old friendships and develop new ones. Reaching out to friends and even family you may not have had time for during the daily grind is a great first step. Getting involved in your community by volunteering, mentoring, continued learning, or even consulting in your area of expertise, will keep you connected and give you a new sense of purpose.
Tip: Start researching before you retire, so that you can roll right into your new routine.
Where do you want to be for this next stage of your life? This is a great time to re-examine plans and assumptions for the future. Explore a full range of retirement lifestyle options.
Come get a sense of our food, friendliness, and our wealth of activities. We’d love to show you around our gracious spaces and then treat you to lunch.
