You’ve been working towards this moment for decades.
But have you really prepared for it?
Once the countdown is over and you’ve left your retirement party, the reality of retirement is going to set in. And many new retirees are surprised by the waves of emotions they feel, especially in those first few days without work. The initial euphoria and sense of freedom can give way pretty quickly to feelings of loss, aimlessness, anxiety, and even depression.
Getting ready for this emotional side of retirement is every bit as important as preparing financially. Many of the most successful retirees focus their emotional prep on these three areas:
1. Strengthening Social Bonds
Even those who look forward to retirement often find themselves missing the workplace. The morning teh tarik sessions with colleagues, the shared laughter over nasi lemak lunches, and the teamwork in overcoming challenges have been part of your daily rhythm. Over the years, your identity can feel closely tied to your job, especially if you carried titles like Datuk, Professor, or Director.
At home, your friends and family might be on different timelines than you are. Your spouse might still be working, or comfortable in their own routine. Your adult children might be busy working and raising their own families. Your friends might still be working, and if they’re retired they might be running around the world tackling their bucket lists.
To strengthen and maintain relationships, you might have to be a little more intentional about socializing than you’re used to. Don’t wait around for invitations. Round up your friends for a weekly tee time. Schedule date nights with your spouse. Volunteer to coach your grandkid’s badminton team. And try new activities that might widen your social circle.
2. Prioritizing Health and Wellness
Many happy retirements start with new routines. Since you don’t have to worry about your daily commute or meeting project deadlines anymore, you can devote more of your time to your mental and physical health. Starting your day with a long walk or bike ride can keep you off the couch and get you in the habit of moving every single day. Exercise and sports can also be great ways to try new things and meet new people. Join a softball team or pickleball league, or try out a yoga class at your local senior center.
Physical and social activity are also great ways to keep your mind active. Give your brain an even bigger boost by reading, taking adult education classes, and practicing daily mindfulness through prayer, meditation, and journaling. Studies have shown that learning new things and positive thinking can literally rewire our brains and improve both our mood and our cognition.
3. Finding a New Purpose
So … What now?
Without any more professional milestones to reach, and with the kids out of the house, retirees often feel like they don’t have a strong sense of purpose anymore.
Our Retirement Coaching tools help seniors reflect on what’s really important to them so that they can find new sources of meaning and happiness. For some folks, that means spending more time with their families, travelling, and developing hobbies into real skills. Others might repurpose their professional skills to volunteer, teach, or start their own companies.
For most retirees, purpose is a mix of several different things that evolve over time. Your life hasn’t progressed in a straight line. Your retirement won’t either. Giving yourself permission to experiment, explore, learn, and grow is what makes the experience worthwhile.
How are you feeling about retirement? Our Life-Centered Planning process can help connect your financial plan to your emotional needs so that you head into retirement ready to make the most of this exciting new chapter.
