The biggest problem new retirees encounter
Most retirees will agree there’s nothing better than that first day of retirement and the realisation that you never have to go back to work. Bliss! However, after the initial joy of the newfound freedom, many formerly busy people find themselves mistaking this freedom for fulfilment, and this can be a huge problem.
After the retirement honeymoon period wears off, some people may feel bored, lonely, useless and disconnected. And, considering live expectancy these days is up around the mid-80s, those who retire at 60 could find themselves with decades of these resentful, regretful feelings. So, how can you make the most of these golden years and avoid those post-retirement blues? Here are four steps to help you find new meaning and purpose in your life.
- Plan – Financial planning before retirement is important, sure, but so is emotional planning. You may have all these grand plans floating around your head that you plan to act on when work is no longer a factor, but don’t throw yourself into each one right after you retire or you may find you soon run out of things to look forward to.
- Reinvent – Retirement doesn’t mean you’re done. Plenty of people use this time to set new goals, learn new skills and completely reinvent themselves. Use this one simple tip to help find your passion in retirement and you’ll be on your way in no time.
- Connect – Sadly, many of us can tend to neglect our relationships during full-time work, so what better time than retirement to forge connections with your community and strengthen relationships with your family and friends?
- Dream – Anyone close to retirement knows what a great motivator the idea of never having to work again can be – in fact, many people do their best work during their pre-retirement years. This is because they have something to look forward to. So, even in retirement, you should always have something to aspire to. Whether it’s a holiday, an exciting event or something else entirely, never stop dreaming about what you want out of life.
Were you lucky enough to avoid that post-retirement lack of fulfillment feeling when you left work? Let us know in the comments below.
Related links:
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5 ways to ensure a successful retirement
Reawaken your creativity in retirement