Journey to retirement

You might also feel like you’re losing your sense of identity because you no longer work in a career that you have done for many years.

That’s why retirement is a process that doesn’t happen overnight, and in the years leading up to actually retiring you can think ahead to what you might take up to fill the time you are currently spending at work.

With all the time in the world to explore new hobbies and interests, rediscover old passions and connect with others on a social level, your retirement life can become more interesting than ever before.

It is important to understand there are three phases of retirement –pre-retirement stage, honeymoon stage and redevelopment stage.

In pre-retirement, your last five to ten years of working, your main focus will likely be on financially preparing for retirement, but after you finish work and enter the honeymoon stage you will be enjoying the chance to spend your time freely.

After a few weeks or months when you move out of the honeymoon phase you will likely have a low period as many retirees find it difficult to keep themselves busy. This period of adjustment and redevelopment to find how you want to spend your retirement usually takes about six months to a year.

To cope with each of these phases of retirement there are some strategies and activites you can use.

Mental preparation

After the initial sense of freedom and relief that a lot of new retirees feel, many people fall into a period of adjustment in which they may struggle with negative feelings.

These feelings include grief and loss for a career that brought enjoyment, or a network of work colleagues that were a big part of social life.

Even if you are preparing mentally before retirement, remember it is normal to need an adjustment period. If you are feeling down and are struggling with negative thoughts, reach out to a mental health professional who can help you through the transition.

What to do next

Finally, retirement has arrived! So how will you fill the time that you now have on your hands?

Finding a new purpose, cementing your identity and taking time to enjoy what life has to offer should all be part of your next move, and there are many ways you can achieve this.

◆ Family and friends

Spending more precious moments with your children – and of course your grandchildren – is one of the perks of retirement.

There might be family members you would like to see more often than you have had time for previously –a brother or sister that lives a few hours away, or a cousin that lives overseas.

Catching up with friends you haven’t seen in years could rebuild strong connections, or you could expand your social circle by looking for new friends to share in the retirement journey, through community organisations, social clubs or events.

◆ Exercise and wellness

Getting fit, staying healthy and having good wellbeing are great goals for retirement, as you will have the time to spend planning out your healthy diet, exercising and looking after your mental health.

You may want to take up a new sport, look at modified options or join a group that shares the same interests for that added social connection.

Maybe you’ve been meaning to reconnect with your spiritual and religious beliefs, or you just want to spend more time taking in nature.

◆ Hobbies

There is a huge range of hobbies to choose from, including gardening, reading, painting, knitting, carpentry, fishing – you name it!

Find a local hobby group through social media or your local Council, join an instructive class or practice on your own to master new skills.

◆ New part-time career

After retirement it is becoming more common for people to take up some part-time work, to achieve a better balance of time to themselves while still earning money.

This could be an opportunity to try a different career you are interested in, or turn your hand to seasonal work in the outdoors.

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.

◆ Volunteering

Volunteering is a part of most retirees’ lives and can come in many shapes and sizes.

Being able to give back to your community or to others not only provides a sense of achievement, but it can give you the purpose you are looking for.

You can contact organisations directly to see if they have any opportunities, or search the Volunteering Australia directory, where you can find what volunteering opportunities are in your local city or town.

◆ Study

Ending your career can be a chance to return to studying your passions and interests in earnest.

Why not learn another language? Or take up a course in archaeology? It’s never too late to live the dreams you had as a child.

Most universities support mature -age students, including through flexible study options and support services.