Daily Anxiety and listlessness what a SUPRISE to me !

by Ginnie
(California)

I have read many of the stories here... and noted a couple of "nail on the Head" moments.

First off let me say i retired a little over 3 months ago at the beginning of August. The anxiety and depression (?) or lack of interest didn't hit me right away because i had a great British Isles Cruise planned for the next month. The trip, although exhausting, was a delight and i had a great time with my best friend.

Then a girls getaway weekend planned in the mountains for the next month. ok, then nothing for weeks, i am going to Sedona on thursday for a week and so am starting to feel that "get up and go" again.

So i know i have to have some kind of adventure planned or I'm just going to grow into my couch.

The things that hit me that people have pointed out are:

1. Did you really like your job ? No, well sometimes,, when i had something interesting to work on,, but i had recently gotten a new boss that was a micro manager and drove everyone crazy.

2. The commute was not good, an hour each way, so do i miss fighting traffic, NO.

3. I do have good friends there, and still have lunch with them once a week, we are even planning a Vegas dinner at E by Jose Andres,, quite a splurge, so theres something to look forward to.

4. YES YES YES. i find myself not wanting to do anything and feel frozen because i don't want to spend any money, there are expenses this last month especially that are making me feel that way ( ie. property taxes, property insurance, carpet cleaning, medical bills, dental bills), so part of me has just been sitting, even though i feel i prepared pretty well financially for retirement im freaking out and don't even want to go to home depot and spend 30$ on a rake, i have to get over that.

about me : I'm 62 female, i retired by choice, i have 2 replaced hips, and fibromyalgia, so i have some physical struggles.
My mother passed away 4 years ago in september, my husband followed 4 months later, my dad 1 1/2 years after that. WHAMMY, yah, but now im feeling lost like i did right after they all passed away, i guess this is a stage of loss and now i need to be kind to myself and get found.

i feel much better when i accomplish a project around my house, big or small, and last night went for a 2 mile walk with a friend which helped tremendously, i know exercise helps me feel much better, so my next goal is after this trip to stick to a weekly workout/walking schedule to keep my body and by extension mind feeling better

Good luck to us all !

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