When it comes time to retire, there is always one thing on everyone’s mind–how awesome it will be not to go to work every day! However, retirees often neglect to consider the emotions they will encounter when they stop working, and it often surprises them how hard these emotions are to avoid now that they can’t bury themselves in work.
Retirement, no matter how you look at it, is an emotional event, one that you often don’t see coming. Read on to learn more about the emotional side of retirement.
The Emotions Retirement Can Induce
When people prepare for retirement, they are always focusing on the positives. No work, no stress, and time for hobbies! But what they don’t realize is that retirement is a drastic change to living, one that can bring emotions on you that you aren’t ready for.
1. Stress
You read that right. Just because you aren’t going to work anymore doesn’t mean your life is going to be stress-free. For one, while you aren’t punching a clock every day, you now have to live on a fixed income, something which can induce a lot of stress, especially if you are used to just picking up overtime when you need to pay for some bills.
Additionally, there were likely many tasks during your working life that you could afford to have someone else do for you (such as house cleaning or sending out laundry) that you now may have to do for yourself. This type of change can put massive stress on the body, which can feel even worse if you weren’t expecting it.
2. Loneliness or Isolation
The vast majority of retirees underestimate how much social stimulation their job provides them. Even if you work from home or in an office by yourself, you likely still have numerous interactions with colleagues that you take for granted.
Not only that, but when you were sick or something happened, you had to call your boss or your employees to discuss it, and how things would be managed in your stead. Now, when something major happens, it is just you and the empty house all day long.
If you have a living partner, you aren’t likely to be as lonely, but you may find that the person you spent 40 years with, with each of you out of the house for 40+ hours per week, isn’t quite the company you crave. You may also butt heads with this person, especially if one of you retired before the other.
3. Feeling Aimless
Maybe you had grand adventures for your retirement, but now you are realizing that traveling once per year for 2 weeks doesn’t quite fill up the time you thought it would. Nor does your hobby, such as gardening, which you were excited to dedicate time to. Either way, you will likely encounter some feelings of being aimless.
This is especially true for those who didn’t plan much for their retirement, or who can’t afford to travel. You may also feel worse if you have physical issues that prevent you from completing your retirement plans.
4. Feeling Lost or Anxious
For so long, your identity was likely tied in part to your job. Now that you have ripped that piece away, you might find you don’t know who you are anymore. You may not even feel like yourself without your profession.
Plus, depending on your line of work, going from moving or being on your feet all day to something more sedentary can cause your anxiety to spike until your metabolism adjusts. This can lead to feeling antsy in ways you never experienced before. It can also lead to nervous tics, and even panic attacks.
If you feel anxious after having just retired, know that you’re not alone. Retirement is a difficult adjustment no matter what your profession. You just need some tips and tricks to help you manage your transition.
How to Handle Retirement Emotions
No matter what you are currently feeling, or what you expect to feel when you do retire, there are a lot of healthy ways to manage the emotions that come with retirement. Just know that not everything we suggest below works for everyone, so take the time to find the solution that works for you.
1. See a Therapist
The number one way to learn to manage the emotions that come with retirement is by seeing a therapist. A therapist can help you perform the self-reflection needed to find the right solution for you, as well as help you to narrow down your retirement emotions to the ones that are really causing a problem.
That being said, we know this isn’t financially feasible for all retirees, so if you can’t afford a therapist on your own, see if they are covered under your insurance; otherwise, try one of the other options on this list.
2. Volunteer
Volunteering can be a great, almost-free way to deal with some of the emotions that are bombarding you during your retirement. Volunteering can take up your time, give you a purpose, and help you connect with people so you feel less lonely.
There are many types of volunteering out there, with everything from feeding homeless people at a shelter, to reading to kids at the library. Take the time to try out a few different types of volunteering until you find what suits you.
3. Join Clubs or Groups
Joining clubs or groups is a great way to meet other retired friends who have similar interests to you. Thanks to the internet, there is a group out there for almost any hobby, which can help you to further your abilities in your hobby, and make genuine lifelong connections.
Whether you like model cars, video games, or maybe even farming, we guarantee there is a Facebook group out there. Just know that some hobbies are more expensive than others, so if you live on a restricted budget, ensure you find a hobby that suits that budget.
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