Retirement and saying goodbye to the job aren’t always what you think it’s going to be. A lot of us believe it’ll be the best day ever. But, unfortunately, for all too many new retirees it’s not. Work has a tendency to define who many people think they are and when they no longer ‘do it’ or ‘go to it’, they are suddenly at a loss as to who they are and what they’re all about.
Maybe not having to go to work is great for the first little while, but often it turns out that what we liked about our jobs represented a lot more than just getting a pay cheque. It was the way we filled our days, where we kept our minds active and engaged, and also where we did a lot of our socializing.
Work provided us with structure in our lives and lent a sense of purpose to them too.
What to Do Next – a Big Dilemma for Many
Once going to work is no longer a daily event, we may find ourselves with a lot of time on our hands to fill – and some retirees find that daunting. Or they just have no idea how to shift gears and interests once they retire. Nor are they sure about how to build new friendships and relationships outside the workplace. Or where to find the approval, rewards or recognition that came with the work they once did.
Our jobs may have included a kind of membership in society through business and/or professional associations, or union participation, clubs and the like. They were places to meet with colleagues and other professionals and peers. Workplace friendships often transcended the 9-5 routine too – meeting for coffee with fellow employees in the morning, taking lunches together or going out to dinner or cocktails after work. Maybe attending sporting events, concerts, or participating in industry functions like conferences and trade shows.
A New Reality
What we all need to realize is that past work – ergo our jobs – are not the only place where we can find friendships, and job satisfaction or any of the other things we’ve mentioned so far. What must happen is for each of us to discover or nurture either new interests or revisit ones we’ve placed on the back burner for the last 40 years or so. These will be the things that fill our days with activity, as well as what will provide mental, emotional and physical stimulation going forward.
Hobbies, sports, volunteerism, mentoring, the arts, part time employment, perhaps even a whole new career could be in the cards if you’re so inclined.
Take the time now if you’re not yet retired to consider what you see yourself doing once you leave the workplace and set your plan in motion. Half the battle of a fulfilling retirement is in the planning.
If you are already retired and experiencing the post work blues after a few months or a year has gone by, then we suggest you take stock. It’s time to identify some ideas or areas of interest that could help you to realize a more stimulating and productive post work life.
The Sooner, the Better
If you feel you that you may be unprepared financially to realize your retirement goals once you quit the workplace, then talk to your advisor today. They’ll be able to help you build a plan together that will ‘work for you’ in retirement. And, the sooner you do it, the better!