Finding purpose in retirement

The first few months of retirement can be bliss and may seem like a holiday. You have no work or obligations getting you out of bed in the morning, and you suddenly have a free schedule.

But as reality sets in, it is pretty easy to fall into what some people call, the

“retirement rut”.

You may feel lost and unsure what to do with all this free time you now have on your hands. And the realisation sets in that this is your new life. Where the joys of not having work doesn’t outweigh the sudden need for a purpose during your new retirement life.

Peter McKnoulty, Founder of Transition Planning Australia, explains that in his experience, people barely think about the transition into retirement.

“[People] are not at all prepared. Part of the problem is that they have no idea that they need to do anything about it. They just think they will just waltz on from work or business and then life will keep going, because they don’t think they have to plan for it at all,” says Mr McKnoulty.

He goes on to explain the impact of not being properly prepared for the next stage of life.

“There are different components of it there, part of it is people are reluctant to let go. And those that do, haven’t planned properly.

“When people leave their businesses or work, unless they spend time to find new activities to replace those work ones, that is when they risk falling into a hole, becoming bored and depressed, and then it is a slippery slope from there.”

To avoid falling into a rut after retiring, there are a number of ways to remain part of the community and make a meaningful contribution to those around you, to the public or for yourself.

This is an optimum time to build your social network, get to know new people, and catch up with old friends.

Family and friends

Retirement is a great time to bother your children and borrow your grandchildren for a catch up or two, or even a vacation!

A lot of grandparents even pick up the roles of supportive nannies to help their children with their busy workload.

Seeing family is a lot easier when you have all the time in the world. Retirement is a time for lots of laughs and special memories with family.

You should also have more time for social occasions. This is an optimum time to build your social network, get to know new people, and catch up with old friends.

Remember when you used to tell your best friend that your dates didn’t match up and it was impossible to coordinate a get-together? In retirement, that shouldn’t be an issue any more.

Keeping strong relationships in retirement is important for your health and wellbeing. And who doesn’t love a good afternoon barbeque!

If you don’t have as many people to be in contact with or you are socially isolated, Australian Retired Persons Association (ARPA) might be the next point of call.

The organisation encourages people over 50 to keep active in both your mind and body while making friends.

They provide a range of activities and groups you can get involved with, including bushwalking, computer groups, cycling, golf, pleasure fishing, Wednesday weekly walkers, tap dancing and variety concerts, photography groups, and so much more.

Alternatively, COTA Australia’s State and Territory organisations have a wide range of partnerships with over 50s Senior groups and organisations which you can choose from.

Probus, Country Women’s Associations and Lions Clubs are also always looking for new members to assist with volunteering initiatives and to create stronger community networks.

Exercise and wellness

Your retirement is a great time to focus on yourself, both mentally and physically.

This could be a time to become more in touch with your spiritual or religious side, or you may want to get on top of your physical health and pick up a sport or start going for more walks.

There is no excuse not to get fit and healthy when you no longer have work taking up your time, and your local Church or Temple would be more than happy to receive any extra help in their daily running.

Modified sports are becoming more and more available around the country. Football Federation Australia has a national Walking Football program for older people so they can continue playing the sport they love without injuring themselves. Walking Netball is also a modified sport for men and women that encourages fitness and health among older people.

Maybe this is the time to get involved with your local bowling club? A fantastic place for a natter, a drink and low-impact sport, bowling clubs are extremely popular and a great way to meet other people in your community.

Hobbies

With all of your available spare time, it is the perfect opportunity to invest in your personal hobbies that you really enjoy.

Whether it is gardening, reading, painting, knitting, or carpentry, you can now dedicate yourself to perfecting a craft.

Maybe even sell your wares at the local market. Just because you are retired, doesn’t mean you can’t try a new personal venture.

Contact your local Council to find out about any hobby groups that may be available to join. For instance, gardening groups or community plots are usually organised through Councils.

If you have a general interest in a hobby, like knitting or reading, search for local groups near you on the internet or you may be able to use the directory section of your local newspaper to see if there are any hobby groups who are recruiting new members. However, if you are looking to learn a new hobby by yourself, like learning a new language or skill, there are many online options that can assist you.

Searching ‘how to’ and your chosen hobby on YouTube can bring you a huge library of educational videos.

Phone applications are also a lot more advanced than they used to be, it is quite easy to download an educational app, like Duolingo, and learn a new skill.

Retirement is a great time to focus on yourself, both mentally and physically

New career

Even if you retire, you don’t have to completely give up work. Working part-time can give you more time to yourself without compromising on income.

Working part time can also be a great way to make your superannuation last longer if you are concerned about your current wealth.

This could also be an opportunity to engage in a career you have always been interested in and passionate about.

If you want to stick with what you know, consultancy in your field of expertise is really common for retirees. This keeps you involved in the industry or career you love, but without the added stress of a 9-5 job.

Government developed an initiative called the Restart Program, which encourages employers, through a financial incentive, to take on mature age workers. Not only that, the Government has a Career Transition Assistance (CTA) program that helps older job seekers build confidence and skills so they can re-enter the local job market.

It is common in certain industries for people approaching their older age to move into positions that have less hours. For instance, teaching is a pretty full-on career, but substitute teaching or tutoring can be an alternative to working full time.

If you are lost about what to do next or what field you would like to move into, a career counsellor could be greatly beneficial with finding a new avenue of employment and enjoyment. And if need be, maybe look at further training to help you move into a new industry.

It’s never too late to study at university and learn something new!

Volunteering

Most older Australians will lend their time to volunteering causes. A majority of Australia’s volunteers are older retirees.

Being able to give back to your community or to others not only provides a sense of achievement, but can really give you purpose.

So whether it’s cooking meals for the homeless or helping out at your local op shop, see what volunteering opportunities are available to you in your community.

Contact your local Council to see what local volunteering options are available, depending on where you live, they may have a town beautification group, which keeps the gardens and towns looking clean and tourist-friendly, or many Council’s utilise older volunteers to drive vehicles and assist other older people attend their doctor’s appointments.

Volunteering Australia has a directory, where you can find what volunteering opportunities are in your local city or town. You could become a puppy raiser, fostering a Guide Dog while it learns to become a seeing eye dog, or you could volunteer at your local Red Cross Shop. There are so many volunteering options to choose from that can make a huge difference in your local community.

Volunteering Australia also runs an initiative called GoVolunteer.com.au that helps connect volunteers with the right organisation match.

Study

It’s never too late to study at university and learn something new!

More often than not, older people are starting to diversify their own education at universities or learning institutes during their retirement. You can now follow interests or passions you have never had time to dedicate yourself to previously.

Why not learn another language? Or take up a course in archeology? Live the dreams you had as a child.

Heading back to university is becoming more common, and even encouraged, for older people. There is a large portion of older women who are entering university as they never had the opportunity when they were raising the family.

University of the Third Age (U3A) is an international education organisation that provides courses to people over 50 who are no longer working. Each State and Territory has its own U3A available to older students.

Most universities in Australia also make special effort to support mature-age students, including through flexible study options and support services. They tend to have a more flexible admission process when applying for a degree that includes your work and life experience. There are usually orientation programs for mature students so they can transition back into an education environment.