Your mental health and retirement

Retirement marks a significant milestone in life. For many, it's a long-awaited period of relaxation, freedom from the constraints of the working world, and the opportunity to pursue personal passions and interests. However, combined with the anticipation of retirement may be an emotional landscape that for some, may be quite daunting. As you approach, enter or settle into retirement, you may find yourself grappling with a myriad of feelings – excitement, apprehension, and the pondering of how to fill your days. Moving from paid employment to a more leisurely life is a journey. Some relish it. Some struggle with it. Some are in between. Whatever your situation, you can be sure that you’re not alone.  

It's crucial to acknowledge that retiring from a job doesn't mean you’re retiring from your life. This is one of life’s big changes. Retirement presents a transition, a shift from one chapter to another, and with it comes the need for careful planning and consideration. While the prospect of unstructured time can be liberating, it can also be challenging. You need to carefully consider and plan your retirement, especially in the initial phase, so that your post working life brings you joy and doesn’t lead to anxiety, health problems or other issues like depression. Creating a plan for how to spend this newfound time can provide a sense of purpose and direction in retirement.

Documenting your plan may act as a roadmap. It may also be your tangible reminder of the goals and aspirations you want to pursue. What’s important to you? Your list is very personal, but the list of options is endless. Do you want to:
-    Spend more time with family and friends, care for a sick loved one or take care of your grandchildren while they’re young? 
-    Travel - are overseas adventures on your wish list or would you prefer to trek around locally? 
-    Study - whether that’s a formal course or hobby-based, are the courses offered locally for you, or are online education modules something that’s of interest?
-    Volunteer or getting involved in community-based activities – is this something that would enrich and excite you? Those skills you learned throughout your working career may be valuable to other organisations that you could help in retirement.
-    Get involved in your hobbies or sporting interests that you will now have more time to practice, play and enjoy.  Don’t think just lawn bowls and golf (as fun as they are, they’re not for everyone!).  Staying active helps with your health but also keeps you flexible and helps with ‘happy endorphins’.

Whatever you include on your retirement plan, the possibilities are limitless. By thinking about what you want to do, and then planning to make it happen, you can cultivate a sense of meaning and fulfilment. You’ve worked hard to get to retirement, and now it’s your time to work hard at enjoying your ‘down’ time and doing what makes you happy. 

Whilst you may have planned to get to retirement, have you planned on how you will spend your time once you’re actually retired?  After a few months of dipping your toe into the retirement pool, it can be daunting on what to do next. It can feel like your sense of identity is missing, as maybe your meaning and purpose was closely linked to your job and career. Instead of relaxing, some people who enter retirement become anxious or feel depressed or just generally feel a little lost.

This can manifest in feelings of loneliness, isolation, or a loss of identity previously tied to their career. If this happens, it's essential to recognise that you need to prioritise your mental well-being and take proactive steps to address the issue.

There are a raft of organisations in both Australia and New Zealand (some are listed at the end of the article) that offer valuable resources and support networks to help you navigate the complexities of retirement. These platforms provide a safe space for you to share your experiences, seek guidance and connect with others facing similar challenges. Additionally, seeking help from medical professionals or therapists specialised in this area can offer invaluable insights and strategies for managing mental health during this transition.

Some of the common challenges that many newly retired people face include:
-    Filling in the extra hours you have free during your day
-    Creating your new purpose to limit the potential feeling of losing your identity 
-    Feeling isolated as you’re not interacting with people like you may have when you were working
-    Feeling less independent, useful, important or self-confident.

We mentioned this earlier in the article and it’s important enough to repeat again. You’re not alone and these feelings are normal.

Ultimately, retirement is a deeply personal journey, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to navigating it. What retirement looks like for you is different to your neighbour, your cousin, your doctor. It’s shaped by individual passions, values and circumstances. Whether it's embarking on new adventures, dedicating time to cherished hobbies, or simply embracing the slower pace of life, the key is to find what brings joy and fulfillment.

For many, the recognition that may have been afforded with their ‘gold watch’ retirement send off from their employer for their dedicated service, no longer happens. While retirement may seem like the end of the road, it’s a good idea to pivot and think of it as the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities for growth, exploration and connection. By being self-directed and approaching retirement with intention, seeking support when needed and embracing the myriad of possibilities it offers, you can cultivate a sense of purpose and well-being that transcends the boundaries of work. After all, retiring from a job doesn't mean retiring from life itself – it's an invitation to live fully and authentically, each day filled with meaning and possibility. 

Support services in Australia:
-    Retirement income - Moneysmart.gov.au
-    Get support for retirement planning | NSW Government
-    Thinking about retirement - Retirement years - Services Australia

Support services in New Zealand:
-    Office for Seniors NZ 
-    Managing your finances in retirement