A major life change is retirement.Your sense of self worth is tied to your career success.You have to adjust to a different schedule when you retire.Accept that you'll be sad after retiring, and prepare yourself emotionally.To keep yourself busy, make some plans.The adjustment phase will be aided by this.Take care of yourself.Exercise and eating right can help with your emotional well-being.
Step 1: Expect some sadness.
It's normal to feel sad after retiring.You shouldn't expect to retire with joy.You will grieve the loss of your job during the adjustment period.This is not unusual.Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling.Chances are your job is more than just a job if you've been in it for a while.Each day it gives you a sense of fulfillment.Your work life is connected to your social life.The social connections, sense of meaning, and structure of your day may be missed if you miss the schedule and demands.It's normal to be sad.People who retire feel sad initially.In the wake of retirement, allow yourself to feel what you're feeling.Emotions are not permanent.Do not expect the feelings of sadness you experience to last forever.
Step 2: Mend old feuds.
You won't have your career as a distraction in retirement.Old feelings from your past may come back to haunt you.You may have disagreements with your family and friends in the past.Be proactive if you have a relationship that needs mending.Don't let bitter feelings take over when you reach out shortly after retirement.It can be difficult to get in touch with someone who has a bad history.Sometimes difficult conversations can be easier to get out in writing, so try writing a letter or e-mail.You should be open to seeing the other person's point of view.It's possible that you could have done a different thing to save a friendship or family relationship.I apologize.An apology can go a long way if you don't feel guilty.The opposite party's feelings were understood.
Step 3: Have realistic expectations.
Many people have high expectations for retirement.You might think you will have more time to do things you put off because of your work schedule.It can be difficult to not work.You might not be able to dive into the plans you've made because of the emotional toll of retirement.You can make a list of what you will do in the weeks or months after you retire.Don't put too much in your list.It takes a long time to get into a new project.You're not going to complete all of your post-retirement plans in the first six months.Allow yourself to adjust.Retirement may be your chance to finally read War and Peace, but you may not feel like doing much reading right away.You might need some time to adjust to new things.
Step 4: Think about who you are now.
Identity is tied to a career.You could see yourself as an achiever and a good provider.You may feel less connected to these roles in retirement.It's important to take some time to establish a new identity.You aren't getting a paycheck each week.You might feel less useful or fulfilled.Retirement presents an exciting opportunity for new roles.You are now taking care of others.You will have more time to look after elderly relatives.Retirement can be an opportunity to get involved in your community.You can see yourself as a member of the community.It can take time to adjust to a new identity in retirement.It will take a few months to accept your new identity in your community and family.
Step 5: There will be changes in your relationship with your spouse.
Retirement can change your relationship if you are married.When neither party has a fixed schedule, couples can become stressed.Changes in your marriage should be prepared ahead of time.You should form a plan for your future.Both of you have plans for retirement.What are you going to do together?What should you do on your own?Do you want to spend a lot of time together?It's important to do activities together, but also to have some alone time.Talk about the little things.You might be looking forward to sleeping as long as you want.Your spouse may want to keep getting up early.You can find a way to compromise.Agree to get up the other four if you can sleep in three days a week.Codependency is a good way to avoid it.If your partner didn't work, he or she may have a social life of his or her own.Don't try to steal your partner's time.You will not always be included in plans if you allow your partner to maintain her own schedule.
Step 6: Social connections should be maintained.
Your work life is very important to your social life.You may find yourself not socializing as much when you're retired.Humans need social connections of all ages.Social connections are maintained after retirement.Plans can be made with friends.It can be awkward when work plans are spur of the moment.After a long day, you may have decided to have a drink with a co-worker.When you want to spend time with friends, you'll have to reach out.Talk to your friends about weekly game nights.You should be on social media.You would be surprised how many social events are planned via a social media platform.Maintaining a regular Facebook profile can help you keep in touch with old friends.You can reach out to non-work friends.It is possible that you limited your social contact to work friends.It's possible that you've reduced contact with friends from school or the community.It's possible to make plans with friends you didn't know about.
Step 7: Think about the past.
Retirement allows you to reflect on your past.Try to remember the trajectory of your life.Take a moment to reflect on past events.An appreciation for the past can help you understand yourself better as you transition into retirement.Being okay with yourself and your choices is important as you will be spending a lot of time alone with your thoughts.If you want to relive memories, go through old photo albums and family movies.Try to put yourself back in the moment as you browse and savor the memories.As you ponder the past, ask yourself questions.Why did you make those choices?How did you spend your time?Retirement could give you an opportunity to pursue something you missed out on.Reminisce with other people.Discuss the past with an old friend or family member.If you have family or friends in town, make plans to get coffee and talk about the past.
Step 8: Take time off for a while.
Many people go into retirement with a lot of plans for the future.This isn't always realistic.It can be difficult to make big commitments in the first months of retirement.You should be able to live without working for a year.Take some small trips and look into some hobbies.Wait until you have time to get used to not working.
Step 9: Stay on schedule.
A life that is not structured can be hard to manage.If you don't have work obligations, try to get on a schedule after retirement.If you have structure in your life after retirement, you will feel better.Don't let commitments get in the way of small ones.Take a long walk in the morning.You should shower every day.You can make lunch for yourself at noon.Take your sleep schedule into account.It can be hard to stick to other routines if you don't go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.If you want to sleep in, get up around 9 each morning.A regular sleep schedule will allow you to maintain a regular exercise, eating, and social schedule.
Step 10: For retirement, make some goals.
Give yourself a year or so to get used to it.You should write down some goals for yourself during this time.Going into retirement with a plan can help.When you're retired, think about what you want to do.There were a lot of things you didn't have time for when you were working.Maybe you would like to volunteer more.Maybe you want to spend more time with your kids.Maybe there's some reading you want to do.Travel plans should be considered.If you have the time and money, you can take that trip if you never did it before.Think about a realistic time table for retirement goals.You won't check everything off of your bucket list in a year.You may be able to achieve some of your goals in 2 to 3 years.
Step 11: Think about post-retirement work.
Many people go back to work after retirement.Maybe you want to try a new career or work part-time.Many people derive a sense of purpose when they have a job.If you like the idea of having some guidance even when you're technically retired, consider looking for work after retirement.It can be difficult to find a job after retiring.People starting second careers late in life may be helped by organizations in your area.You can look online to see if there are any organizations in your area.It's possible to consider part-time, less demanding work.Most states have an easy certification process for substitute teaching.You wouldn't have a regular schedule, but you would have some structure in your life.Post-retirement work has a lot of benefits.Depression associated with retirement may be mitigated by it.Post-retirement work is worth considering if you feel lost.
Step 12: You can get involved in the community.
Retirement is a good time to get involved.You can join an organization or volunteer in retirement.There are organizations in your town that cater to the recently retired.When you were working, you never had time to do what you wanted to.Maybe you wanted to be on the local theater board, but couldn't fit the meetings into your schedule.Keep in mind your personality type.The recently retired may not enjoy all activities and events.It's okay to pass on opportunities.You should look for post-retirement involvement that suits you.
Step 13: Reunite with friends.
Work takes up a lot of your time.You haven't seen friends from outside the office in a while.Call an old friend and invite them to lunch or dinner.When you're busy with work, relationships can fall by the wayside.You thought your college roommate would be with you for the rest of your life.Even if a lot of time has passed, strong friends can still come back.Call a friend you haven't seen in a long time.Visiting old friends is a good idea.It's a good idea to visit a lot of people in your hometown.If you've been promising your friend Matt from grad school that you would come visit him in Seattle, now is the time to do so.
Step 14: Consider taking a memoir writing class.
It is possible to write a memoir to help you adjust to retirement.It can help you understand yourself and your life better.There are memoir writing classes at local community centers.Some universities allow retired people to take courses for a fee.You can check out online courses.Many universities offer online courses.
Step 15: Eat right.
It's important to take care of yourself in retirement.Basic habits like eating can fall by the wayside without a schedule.High blood pressure is more likely as you get older.A low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent age-related illnesses.Discuss your diet with your doctor.You may be at risk for age related health conditions if you are older.After retiring, you should have a full physical and talk to your doctor about your diet.Try to eat a lot.Breaks in work dictate when to eat.You might have stopped at 2 for lunch in the office.When you are retired, try to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same time each day.
Step 16: Take care of your medications.
If you're older, you may need to take some medications.It can be difficult to keep track of your medication.If you have a lot of medication, you might want to write a list of which days you need to take it.You can buy a pill container at the supermarket which is marked by the days of the week.You can put the pills in the container each week.This can be used to track medications.
Step 17: Don't stay sedentary.
In retirement, you should be physically active.It's often tied in with your work schedule.You can hit the gym three days a week after work.You need to stay active now that you're retired.A short walk each day can help prevent age-related medical problems.Some activities may be difficult as you get older.Water aerobics is an exercise group for the elderly.
Step 18: It's important to keep an eye on your mental health.
Retirement can increase the risk of mental health issues.Talk to a mental health professional if you notice a change in your mood.You can get a referral from your regular doctor or use your insurance to find a therapist.Many people have mental health issues after retirement.Talking to a therapist about these issues can help.Do puzzles, learn new hobbies and keep your mind active.