Retirement restlessness reality
Retirement restlessness reality is usually unanticipated. We plan and dream for this earned respite. Media hypes the luxury of retirement freedom and relaxation.
And retirement DOES bring an exhilarating release from “the grind”. Retirement also creates a new reality. The reality of retirement restlessness.
An Unexpected Phase
Retirement restlessness is unadvertised. It is not forecasted. It takes us by surprise. It unsettles us.
We are comfortable with what is familiar. Retirement is NOT familiar. It is uncharted territory .Most of retirement is unfamiliar. We do not have any model from which to draw. There is no earlier chapter of our life that mimicked retirement.
Some pre-retirees anticipate “boredom”. They fear not having enough to do. And…. once retired, most people do experience some degree of “boredom”
“Boredom” in retirement begins with restlessness. Retirement restlessness stems from a lack of familiarity.
The huge majority of new retirees fall into the restlessness phase. They fear falling into absolute boredom.
Here is where boredom and restlessness differ. Boredom infers apathy and indifference. Restlessness is simply uneasiness.
Restlessness as a gateway to action
Restlessness indicates lack of fulfillment. There is something missing. You KNOW that. You don’t know what to do with it. You don’t know what to do about it.
Restlessness is a state of being. It is NOT a healthy state of being. Restlessness can be a gateway to boredom .OR it can be a call to action. Action is your doing self.
When our being and doing are matched, we have fulfillment. Restlessness retreats. Purpose enters.
The site ,http://www.sixtyandme.com, provides additional information about retirement restlessness. It is one of many references on the issue.
What to DO?
There is not one answer. There is not one “fit”. There IS a solution to retirement restlessness. It is, of course, YOUR answer. And it is time to find the answer.
Here are some starters: If you have NOT yet retired:
- Begin NOW. Research, ponder and outline a list of things you are moving towards. Have at least 3 things that interest you. They should NOT be in the field you are leaving.
- Test drive the things you are considering. Attend a meeting. Audit a class.
- SCHEDULE time during your work week to plan. Make it a committed part of your work week. Make your retirement planning a critical part of your job NOW.
Here are some starters: If you ARE retired and restless:
- ADMIT you are restless. ADMIT this is not your “happy place”.
- Commit time to BE restless. FEEL it. Allow yourself to spend time with how restlessness affects you.
- OK- you are restless! Let’s move forward.
- List and contact retired people you already know. Make a date with them. Find out what they do. ASK them about their restlessness.How did they address it?
- Research your options. What is happening in your area? What might interest you? Attend a meeting, join a group. It may be uncomfortable at first. BUT…so is restlessness.
- WRITE a resume to yourself. Who are you? What makes you happy? What are some explored areas and ideas? OMIT any reference to who you WERE. This is not a replay of your old self.
Retirement holds many treasures. It also holds many tricky aspects. Retirement restlessness reality do NOT have to be on that list.
I will work with you. This is a process. It becomes a problem IF we allow it. Contact me for ways we can chart your new path.
If you enjoyed this post please coment and share if you want more content like this
- 9 Years as Facilitator for local retiement adjustment group
- Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.)
- Three Master's Degrees (M. Eds) in Learning Remediation, Vocational Education and Administration.
- Certified Family Transitions Coach (Certified Through Coach Training Alliance)
- Active member of International Coach Federation.
- Lifelong learner and practitioner of gracefully applying grit to life's challenging transitions.
Email: Julie@JulieGreen.org
Phone: 208-755-2824
