Retirement wasn’t working for Dwayne. A deliberate, thoughtful man, Dwayne spent 25 years with a Fortune 500 company rising through the ranks to Company Vice President of Logistics. When he retired, Dwayne expected to fall easily into a life of leisure – rising late, doing what he wanted when he wanted, and traveling frequently with his wife Mary. Now, three months post-retirement, he finds his days endlessly boring, spent mostly sleeping or watching television. He doesn’t like golf, gardening is too hot, and Mary has her own activities which don’t include him.
As many retirees discover, leaving one life to begin another is difficult. A May 2013 study by the UK’s Institute of Economic Affairs reports 40% of retirees suffer from clinical depression, while 6 out of 10 report a decline in health. The truth is, even though most professionals look forward to retirement, the loss of a job can be unexpectedly traumatic. According to psychologists, jobs provide mental health benefits including:
- Feelings of contribution and being appreciated
- The satisfaction of solving problems and learning new things
- Relationships with fellow workers
- Daily routines eliminating mental decisions about “what to do next”
The key to a positive retirement is to ensure these benefits don’t get lost, but are simply experienced in a different way.
Remember, Reflect, Reconcile, and Report
Experience brings knowledge and, hopefully, wisdom. Without the burden of a daily job, you have time to collect and consider the memories of past people, events, and places. Retirement allows you to recognize your accomplishments, understand and forgive your perceived failures, and set a new course for the rest of your life.
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