That aren’t financial or physical health related.
Retirement is an Odd Beast.
Almost everyone looks forward to retiring.
But even looking forward to retirement… It can also bring up your fears. The biggest and most common are financial and health related.
However there are other fears too…
In several parts of the world, but prominently in America, what you do becomes a main part of your identity.
Retirement can fundamentally change your identity and purpose.
So it makes sense there are other fears mingled in with the excitement of retirement.
Fear of: Feeling Isolated and Alone
Love or hate your co-workers, they do provide social interaction on a daily basis. When you retire that social interaction is cut off. You may stay in contact with some of your co-workers but the relationship does change.
On top of that normal shift in social dynamics, COVID changed the way we interact and want contact with others.
Which has taken away some normal channels of opportunities of connecting with others.
If you do connect with others in person, you are more likely to be a bit more cautious of how and who you spend your time with.
Both of these changes can lead to feeling isolated and alone.
- Engage online
The good thing is it has become easier to meet up online. Although it isn’t a complete replacement for seeing someone in person, it can help with feelings of isolation.
The more you engage with online classes or having a zoom coffee with a friend the more you will be comfortable with the technology. Making it easier to connect with others.
- Meet in Person
Understand your own comfort level and ask about the comfort level of the other person. And try to accommodate both of your comfort levels in choosing how you met.
The biggest thing for either option is to schedule it!
Just because you're retired (or about to be) doesn’t mean you should throw out or delete your calendar entirely.
Scheduling fun things on your calendar makes it more likely to happen. Giving you something to look forward to.
Fear of: Loss of Mental Stimulation
Whether you love your job or hate it, it keeps your mind active. Another common fear is loss of mental stimulation.
This is an area where you can now have a lot of fun!
Learn something new.
Or learn several new things, there is no limit except your imagination.
Always been curious about astrology? Do it! Take a class.
Never had time to try a hard baking technique? Try it now!
However, don’t try to master everything you try or do. Do it for the enjoyment factor. And if you happen to master it, great, and if not great!
Puzzles, and Games
Do puzzles and games that challenge your logical thinking. There are millions of games you can play on your phone or tablet. Or go old school and use physical books, games and puzzles that you can physically interact with.
Or do a combo of them!
Trying or learning new things helps keep you mentally stimulated. And that itself is a great outcome!
Fear of: Boredom or Lack of Direction or Purpose
When so much of your identity revolves around what you do for your career or job it can be a shock to your system when that is removed through retirement.
Find meaningful ways to spend time and stay involved.
Volunteer
Volunteer with a cause you are passion about.
If you don't feel safe volunteering in person, ask if there is something else you could do for them. Maybe volunteer your time to help with their website or social media presence.
Engage with Hobbies
Volunteer with a cause you are passion about.
If you don't feel safe volunteering in person, ask if there is something else you could do for them. Maybe volunteer your time to help with their website or social media presence.
Engage with Hobbies
Having hobbies is a great way to prevent boredom. discoveryahobby.com has a comprehensive list of different hobbies to explore. Giving you some great ideas to try.
Create a fun to-do list
Create a fun list of things to do now so when you are bored you can pull out your fun list and do something from it. It’s way easier to have a fun list written out now, instead of trying to find something to do in the moment.
