No, I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist, just someone who retired 15 years ago and is keen to help others organise a happy and productive retirement. From my experience, and from talking to others, there are four areas that the retired person needs to pay attention to: purpose, isolation, stimulus and control.
Work and rearing a family provide two vital purposes for living, but by the time of retirement both have usually disappeared. So the retired person has to find a new purpose or purposes. For some this proves hard and the temptation is to cling to the past, manifesting as working part-time and /or looking after grandchildren. But these solutions are only temporary – part-time jobs are precarious, and children soon grow up and are off to school. So retirement involves some important decisions. Previous blogs have included a few suggestions but, whatever new ventures you are involved in, aim for personal development and satisfaction. You may also wish to contribute to your community.
Lack of a clear purpose in retirement can lead to isolation – there are no workmates any more to talk to, there is no need to travel to an office, and perhaps no need to go outdoors at all except for shopping. The children have grown up, often moved far away, and are busy with their own lives. Unless you make the effort to take up new interests and make new friends, the isolation will intensify and your mental health will suffer. To break out of your isolation will require some effort and perhaps a little courage, especially if it requires you meeting new people and being in unfamiliar surroundings. But Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
The best stimulus in retirement is provided by new ventures. The temptation is to continue with previous interests as in:’ I am going to spend my retirement just fishing‘ or ‘Going to more movies’ or ‘Cooking’. A healthy human brain needs stimulation and challenge no matter what age, Same old, same old is a recipe for isolation and even dementia.
Any change demands control. Control over your attitude, behaviour and aspirations. This is not the time to hand over control of one’s life to family or close friends. They want you to continue being the same old you. Retirement demands a new start in life, with new goals, ideas and opportunities. Grab them all with both hands! Being retired is similar to when you were a teenager and the world was ready for you to discover. Don’t retire, relive!
Renaissance not Retirement 