You can’t be anxious. These are your golden years, right? Ideally, we’d treat all of our years as golden but retirement does have a unique status in modern society. You’ve paid your dues and now come the rewards. No more daily grind. You’ll have more time than ever before and with that, an opportunity to try out ideas, hobbies, and pursuits that were previously put on hold. So… why does it all feel so stressful?
Transitions are challenging and retirement is quite a game-changer. If this life change has you feeling anxious, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are some very powerful ways to prepare for this next chapter.
Common Causes and Symptoms of Retirement Anxiety
Losing the social connections provided by a work environment
Having more time but less money
Surrendering the “identity” of your job can make you feel lost and even damage one’s self-esteem
Creating a new routine
Suddenly being home all day with a spouse and/or family members
Feeling guilty about getting paid for doing “nothing”
Health and financial worries
Loneliness
Missing the structure and routine
Feeling like you no longer have a purpose
Of course, there are more underlying factors and things will differ from person to person. But, in general, the above list highlights how this transition can throw you for a loop.
4 Tips For Preparing For This Next Chapter
1. Plan Ahead
This may sound obvious on a list with “preparing” in its name but it cannot be repeated often enough. Some suggestions:
Talk to a financial advisor and get a handle on your money before the big change
Commit to exercise, healthy eating, regular sleep patterns, and stress management
Have a sit-down with your partner about the logistical shift on the horizon
Write down plans for things like hobbies, part-time work, social life, and more
2. Get Comfortable With Change
Working life can get monotonous at times. Unfortunately, this can acclimate you to not like change. It might even scare you. Retirement is an ideal opportunity to patiently and lovingly rewire your brain. You’ve been gifted with a time period where you can set the pace and decide the agenda. Embrace it!
3. Break Free of Societal Expectations
It’s less than ideal but society is typically unfair to people of a certain age. The equation relates retirement to old age and old age to weakness. The first step toward changing this is changing our minds. If others want to be guided by external expectations, that’s their choice. Run your own race. Recognize the reality that you don’t have to conform to a predetermined mold.
4. Challenge Yourself to Find New Purpose and Meaning in Your Life
You’ve done it before! As a kid, meaning might have been a video game. In your teens, it probably changed every day. Then, before you know it, your purpose fluctuated between career, relationship, family, and more. You’ve lost loved ones and perhaps gone through a divorce. Whether you realize it or not, you have reinvented yourself countless times. Use this reality to build the confidence you need to turn retirement into an adventure.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
You’ve never retired before. Of course, you have questions. Why wouldn’t you? An excellent option as you prepare to step away from the workplace is to talk with a professional. Committing to therapy gives you an avenue for exploring your feelings as retirement approaches. The first item on the suggestion list above is “plan ahead.” This should include emotional planning.
If you’re about to retire or recently have, I’d love to talk with you about it. Let’s set you up for years that are truly golden with life transition counseling. Feel free to email me. Click to read more about Anxiety Treatment.