How to Deal With the Emotion of Retirement
What to Do When Questions of Life Purpose and Identity Arise
Apr 9, 2009
Retirement is something most workers look forward to. Though it may seem far off in the distance, workers who are dogged daily by traffic jams, long commutes, bad bosses, and office politics long for the peace and serenity of permanent beachside relaxation with Pina Colada in-hand. Yet at the same time, retirement is not without some challenges, particularly in the emotional transition from career to rest.
The Three Phases of Retirement
While most people consider retirement as simply saying goodbye to the daily grind and having fun pursuing hobbies and resting, it’s actually bit more complex. To be assured, the first two years of retirement are met with a rush of excitement and catching up on the things the person has always wanted to do. For example, many retirees take trips overseas, travel the country, or visit relatives in far away places.
The next retirement phase is the active years where the retiree pursues hobbies and unfulfilled dreams. In this phase, the excitement of retirement is beginning to wear off a bit, leading to much self-reflection of the person’s identity and life purpose. The third phase of retirement (often called the “twilight years”) is met with a gradual slowing down from activity and home health care or assisted living.
How to Deal With Retirement Emotionally
Retirement is undoubtedly exciting, yet at the same time bittersweet. It is a time of goodbyes and well-wishes from coworkers, and of course, that ultimate in corporate retirement gifts, the gold watch. It is also a time of contemplating a new place to live, thus starting a completely new life in another place. Some retirees opt to downsize and sell their home for a new condo; yet other retirees opt to stay in their paid-off home close to their kids and grandkids.
From an emotional standpoint, retirees must learn to redefine themselves. All of their working lives, people would ask them what they do; thus identity is directly tied to one’s career. But now that the person has retired, their identity is no longer connected to their career, but rather their former career and what they are doing currently.
To counter the emotional consequences of identity and life purpose in retirement, retirees may find solace in activities such as gardening, painting, writing books, woodworking, and other creative endeavors. It may even become a small business. Other retirees may help with extended family, including kids and grandkids, while still other retirees may hand-craft gifts such as pillows, blankets, and bird houses for future family generations to enjoy.
The Importance of Maintaining Social Networks During Retirement
Another very important aspect of retirement is to keep up with social events. Like dogs, cats, and virtually every other creature in the animal kingdom, we human beings are inherently social. For many retirees, retirement can become lonely, particularly if the retiree is single. Thus it becomes important to maintain peace, comfort, and enjoyment of life by attending special interest groups and community organizations. Also, more retirees are registering with online social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter.
The Bottom Line on Dealing With the Emotion of Retirement
Without a doubt, retirement is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. However, it is not without its emotional challenges. But when retirees understand the three phases of retirement, how to redefine themselves, how to find their identity and life purpose, and maintain strong social networks, they will find greater emotional contentment in their restful Golden Years.
See related articles, “Best Towns for Baby Boomer Retirements,” “How Much Money Is Needed for Retirement?," and "Retiring Too Early Could Prove Costly.”
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