Retirement is a significant life transition which usually evokes strong and mixed emotions. Your reaction to retirement will be unique to yourself and you might find yourself acknowledging this transition with strong feelings. Excitement, uncertainty, joy, relief and dread are all common responses and it’s possible to experience all of these in rapid and repeating fashion.
It’s important to remember that retirement is not just an ending but a new chapter full of possibilities.
When you retire, you are impacted in every aspect of your life. Here are some of the common challenges that can present;
Loss of routine and structure. The alarm doesn’t need to be set at that specific time any more and your day depends entirely upon you and what you want to do (apart from personal commitments and responsibilities that you might have). This means that the motivation to do things now lies solely with you.
Identity shift. If you’ve closely identified yourself with your career for a number of years or decades, you might find yourself wondering who you are without it. Who are you without the office, your colleagues, deadlines and the daily drive?
The financial aspect. You may find that you are concerned about money and learning to adjust to a different budget. This can be a daunting prospect and may cause stress and worry as you consider what you might need to change in order to be comfortable.
Loneliness. Were most or all of your social connections at work? Perhaps you have a partner, family and friends but the truth is that you have lost connection with them due to long days and late nights at work and now the part of your life that you spent most of your time in has gone, what do you do? Who will get the jokes? The office humour? The little things that colleagues who were there would understand? Perhaps you feel that you can’t relate to those who are now around you.
Finding purpose. Careers often embody a sense of purpose. Even if you didn’t adore your job, the purpose was to make money, to provide for yourself and/or loved ones. Now that you’re not doing that, what is your purpose?
If the above resonates with you, read on to find out about how coaching can support you through the retirement transition.
If you view retirement with a sense of impending doom, uncertainty and fear, coaching can provide you with a safe space to voice your worries without judgement and help you to reframe retirement as an opportunity for growth. This is your chance to change perspective.
A coach will support you as you navigate the emotions that come with a deeply impactful life change and as you redefine your personal identity.
With a coach you will set goals that will move you into a fulfilling retirement, whether that’s travel, hobbies, relationships or new projects.
You’ll also learn to develop strategies to build a new routine that strongly aligns with your personal values and aspirations.
There are a number of practical things that you can do to help you through this transition. Here are a few tips to start with;
Rediscover your passions. Exploring new interests or returning to old hobbies can bring you back to a sense of yourself outside of the work environment. If you’ve never had hobbies or interests outside of work then it could feel as though you’re stuck and unsure of where to turn. Now’s the time for some self discovery! Take the time to experiment. If you’ve always wanted to paint or try photography but you’ve decided that you’re ‘no good at it’, it’s time to shove that thought aside and take a class. Do it for enjoyment, do it for yourself. Get that guitar with the 3 chord 70’s hits songbook, learn to cook, write that book, read that book. Go for inspiration walks, take day trips to towns you’ve never been to before. Try new things, that’s what I’m getting at. If you have no idea what you’ll like – give some things a go and find out what makes you smile in your soul.
Create a balanced routine. It could be easy to let everything slip when you no longer have career responsibilities and that slip can impact your sense of purpose. Maintain meaningful activities in your day. It doesn’t have to be anything massive. Breakfast could be your time to catch up with yourself. As you have your breakfast and morning cup of tea, consider your plan for the day, pause and make this your time to check in.
Stay connected. Build a strong network in your community. Easier said than done, right? Here are a couple of ideas in that area; you could join a walking group or go to tea mornings in your local community centre or church. Some also have games days. This one could push you outside of your comfort zone but, while change isn’t always comfortable, it can give you that extra push that can make lasting and meaningful positive change.
Prioritise well-being. Be sure to focus on your physical, emotional and mental well-being by maintaining self-care. This means that you don’t neglect yourself and your needs. Take the time to show yourself that you matter. This could be by exercising, meditating, participating in activities that you enjoy, allowing yourself to rest, spending time with loved ones or playing a sport among other things. The point is, make sure you take the time to make you a priority.
Embrace lifelong learning. Consider developing new skills, taking courses or indulging in creative pursuits. These are a positive benefit for you in many ways. Engaging your mind and interests allows you to naturally find your structure, your purpose and even your identity.
Coaching sessions break down goals into smaller, achievable steps which allow you to make consistent progress. You’ll gain clarity, structure and accountability through working with a coach who is with you on your journey and truly in your corner, wanting you to succeed. You’ll be able to explore who you are, identify your personal values and establish the structure you need while you navigate this transition.
Retirement is an opportunity for you to redefine life on your own terms. If you’re struggling with the concept, worried that you won’t know what to do or have found that retirement hasn’t been what you expected then consider coaching as an option to help you design the retirement that you want. Step into this new chapter of your life with confidence and optimism.