Help

by Therese
(Pennsylvania )

Just retired after working 30 years. I am having a hard time, I feel like I am in a weird place.

I just picked up and left my job like it was nothing. Like I worked there a week.

I feel like I am in retirement purgatory. I don’t know what to do next. I don’t feel bad about retiring. You couldn’t pay me any amount to go back. I just can’t seem to bridge to my next phase.

I just can’t believe 30 years passed and I feel nothing just a little depressed.

Can anyone offer some tips to get through this odd time?

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my post.

Comments for Help

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Same ~ Same
by: Anonymous

I also worked 30 years and walked away ...what a shock to my system.

It took me about 3 long years of aimlessly living. Not good or bad. Finally something clicked and I accepted it all.. have enjoyed my life ever since.

Going on 10 years retired.. Life is good.

Try to find something meaningful to do and bide your time. Acceptance is a huge thing ~ enjoy each stage of life and look for the positive.
Give it Six Months
by: Ben, KY

This is very normal to feel this way. It is a huge transition in your life.

Take a few weeks to decide what you've always wanted to do but didn't have the time. Make a plan, but I would keep it simple at first.

You could write a book, I did...in fact, I have written two books. Amazon makes it easier today to have your very own book published.

Remember to enjoy each day-just don't become a couch potato.

Ben
Be open to new possibilities
by: Michael - Upstate NY

Therese - congratulations on your retirement. The good news is that its not the end of the world.

You will get to know yourself better and you will find your way. Your time is your own now. You get to decide what you want to do and who you want to be (even if you don't know yet.)

I retired 7 years ago at age 51. I mostly do the same things I did outside of work before, except I do them at different times of the day. I have tried some new hobbies.

It might help you to make a schedule for yourself where you fill the hours you used to fill with work. Make sure that you have something to do every day to get out of the house, even if it is just a walk around the block, visit to the library, coffee shop, or lunch with a friend. You might want to try volunteer work, a new hobby, exercise, or gardening.

Be open to new possibilities. Every day is a new beginning. Keep trying. You'll find your way.
yes work part time
by: Anonymous

I picked up freelance work in my field, graphics, soon after I retired. And did that for about 6 or months. Then I gradually realized that I don't have to work anymore and I can allow myself to be retired.

I have always had interests, hobbies outside of work that kept me busy and were more important to me than working a full time job. So those interests keep me busy all day long in retirement.

It takes some time to get used to retirement. It used to be I hated Mondays because I had to go to my job. Now Monday is my favorite day as all my neighbors have to go to work and I get to stay home where its peaceful and quiet and I don't have to drive in rush hour traffic.

Hang in there.
Take A Deep Breath
by: Mark/Maryland

Hi Therese. Wendy is right.

First, take a deep breath, and maybe another. I've been retired for 11 years; the first one is by far the hardest.

Sit outside and as Michael J. Fox tells himself every morning, appreciate the grace of the moment. At least you made it to retirement, where far too many of our cohort have not. And most importantly: MAKE TIME TO DO THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY TO BE ALIVE!

You have that now. It can be anything, like something you enjoyed most during your childhood.
For me it was drawing, so at 60 I taught myself to paint.

Think of what you enjoy doing so much that you lose track of time, and JUST DO IT!

Move every day, say hello to a stranger, and be ever grateful for all the blessings you have. You can do this!
Relax....
by: Wendy, Retirement Enthusiast/Coach

It's normal, just chill (and that's not easy either)!

You might work part-time to work yourself away from retirement, volunteer somewhere, or simply start to learn new activities -- try and find what suits you in this stage of life.

Lots of possibilities!

If nothing works, use GET HELP at the top of the page. We can chat a bit...

Best Wishes!

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