Retirement/finishing work

I was keen to keep weekends special so always try to have something organised to do each week day. I go to classes two days a week, volunteer two days a week and the other week day is for food shopping or lunches out with friends.
It is definitely a very different pace of life but I like it. Easier starts in the morning are good. I also found driving much nicer as the roads seem quieter when everyone else is at work.
Good luck.

As I have written before on here, DH and I started a new business, 18 months after "retirement".
In a nutshell, he got bored. We rather all knew he would.

Even if you dont choose to do paid work again, you could tell yourself you do have that option?

I wouldnt let your age get in the way of new opportunities.

I agree - I miss being valued! I think we will adapt and find our way. It’s a new phase of life. I had planned to go back to fill in (NHS) as needed ( but when I stopped I realised how very tired I was). Now I think I will take my time to find something less demanding that suits my skill set rather than my experience.
Spring is only a few weeks away. Best wishes.

Joseann

I'm about to retire, and have a list of things to keep me sane occupied, (some already in place). Loneliness is a killer.
1. Get a dog.
2. Join local clubs or groups.
3. Volunteering.
4. Travel, even little visits.
5. Keep smiling, it helps morale.
I think what you are feeling is quite normal, but it's up to you to work on it and make changes.
Good luck.

I agree to try to find out about the above BEFORE you actually retire
Eg find out about a rescue do or find a dog breeder with a suitable litter 2 months before retirement date
Book trips for that first empty month
Find out about volunteering soonest etc

I'd add think about what enjoyed in the past, but ditched when work hot too much. Crafts, photography, art you've never touched since school.
Start a new hobby, family history, new language, musical instrument, join a choir.

A friend asked me last week how I'd felt when I actually retired. She said she felt lost with not dissimilar symptoms to yours keepingquiet.

Thankyou- maybe my expectations were too high after being in public service for 50 years. It is the loss of that sense of knowing stuff, being valued by others, doing my job well.

I have no intention of getting a dog- I do my daily walk anyway and don't want the commitment and/or additional expense of keeping a pet.

I'm not a 'joiner' though I think if I found a group interesting enough I'd give it a go.

I have joined up for vounteering but the process of vetting and making contact I'm finding very slow- but I do hope this will be productive for me once it gets going.

I don't have the funds for my travel plans, but I do try to get out even to local places, the winter doesn't help though. Certainly once the spring is here I may go places.

Yes, it is definately up to me to make changes and I have no one else to prod me!

Work was never a physical drain, but in the end I did begin to get very tired, and now I can nap as much as I like! Wowee.

The grandkids do help for sure- I should be very thankful for them, and am.

I miss people though, having a laugh, being valued- will that go away? I really hope so.

Keeping quiet I too ( retired 5 months ago) have been surprised by my loss of confidence since fully retiring. I miss my colleagues and the social contact too and being useful and respected at work. I expected to be a bit lost when I stopped work ( without the routine) and actually retired when I had many other things to sort out ( I’m also a carer) so had a list of things I needed to do. It’s taken me a while to find a new rhythm. My DH still works part time mostly from home and is also struggling to adapt to having me around and can get very grumpy!
I haven’t much advice yet! I agree - keep smiling! Treat yourself to small things - notice the bird song or the sunsets or whatever makes you smile. Try to get out most days.
It is nice to slow down and I certainly don’t miss the early starts for commuting or the constant juggling!

It's a big adjustment keepingquiet don't expect things to fall into place all at once.
Plan some treats for yourself, do some of those jobs round the house you have been putting off. Have you thought about volunteering ? There is a lot of pleasure to be had from helping others. Don't commit to too much too soon though looks around and see where you can help most and use your skills. In the meantime take time just to smell the roses. Good luck.

Keepingquiet, I am so sympathetic. I retired after doing an extra year, because I loved my job so much. It was very physical, so I could not really have carried on any further. But my first year was horrendous, I felt I was floundering around trying to fit into something. It has taken 2 full years for me to accept my new normal. I do keep busy, and we bought a little puppy a few months ago. The puppy has been a great addition to our life, and we have a purpose to the day.
But aside from the puppy, we were developing a different routine, for us both, keeping busy most mornings, and putting our feet up in the afternoon. We do gardening, or puzzles, housework, a bit of d.i.y. etc.
The trick is to try not to dwell on the past, and idealise it, just think of the physical drain of going to work every day, had become. You will come to value the peace and quiet, and the time you have to yourselves, especially in the summer.
And then there are the grandchldren, who we can see more regularly, and help occasionally fetching them from school.
Just give yourself time, because eventually it will fall into place, but I know it is hard to believe this in the beginning.

I'm about to retire, and have a list of things to keep me sane occupied, (some already in place). Loneliness is a killer.
1. Get a dog.
2. Join local clubs or groups.
3. Volunteering.
4. Travel, even little visits.
5. Keep smiling, it helps morale.
I think what you are feeling is quite normal, but it's up to you to work on it and make changes.
Good luck.