Retirement is one of the stages of life that, if not well managed in the beginning, can produce some forms of discomfort or even a real life crisis. In a way, it is understandable; after having spent a good part of one’s existence dedicating time, resources and effort to maintaining a life project based on the fruits of one’s own work, it is difficult to begin to live beyond the professional sphere.
In this article we will see several pieces of advice on how to adapt to retirement in the best possible way , squeezing all its potential and discovering several positive aspects of this vital phase that could have gone unnoticed.

Tips on Adjusting to Retirement

Before reading on, you should keep in mind that finding satisfaction in the retirement stage is not simply a matter of changing our attitudes, habits and beliefs; in short, it does not depend only on whether we transform ourselves psychologically. It also depends on the resources we have access to and, especially, on whether we have a support network, whether based on our own family or friends.

Therefore, it is worth remembering that loneliness and isolation , as well as poverty, are elements that do not depend only on oneself, but to which we can react to combat their effects. Being aware of this is useful, because it serves to help understand that much of the unhappiness that some older people feel when they retire need not depend on the decisions they make.
That said, let’s look at the main guidelines for adapting to retirement.

1. Accept what you feel

This is the first step, and it’s more important than it seems. On its own it doesn’t have to help us feel better, but is essential to progress . The reason for this is that not doing so would lead to a self-sabotage dynamic that is difficult to get out of. For example, someone who feels bad but does not admit it will avoid at all costs to think about medium or long term solutions, and will focus only on the immediate objectives, which often leads to unhealthy living habits that in the long run aggravate the situation.

2. Schedule yourself

One of the most frequent pitfalls that newly retired people fall into is the assumption that retirement is just the absence of work and of many of the responsibilities that had to be taken care of years ago. As a result, passivity becomes a philosophy of life: spending a lot of time in bed or on the couch, watching TV, socializing little, etc.

That is why it is good to act according to the idea that retirement is not simply something characterized by the lack of paid work , but that there should be room for qualitative changes, things that we did not do before because we did not know them or because we did not have enough free time for them. And for this there is nothing like following certain schedules.

Of course, it is not necessary to make these schedules about life in retirement very detailed; it is enough to divide the day into blocks that serve as a reference so as not to waste time.

3. If you have a partner, talk about it

Many of the problems that arise from the transition to retirement may appear especially in married couples who have been affected by this change without first having discussed their expectations. If one partner is retiring and the other is not yet , it is good to discuss how the relationship will change ; and if both people become retired, you have to decide which part of the large amount of free time you have will be shared and which part will not.

4. Don’t lose yourself in fantasizing about the past

Older people have a certain propensity to think that they “don’t live in their time”, that the present belongs to the younger generation. This idea may come suddenly with the onset of retirement, but it is still false. The role of people belonging to the elderly does not have to be limited to remembering, to living from the past. Everyday life also belongs to them, and it is good that their daily habits reflect this.

5. Learn new things

It is always stimulating to learn in a self-taught way, and retirement is a perfect time for this.

Not having the workload to make ends meet, but with the psychological maturity and cultural background of an older person , it is very rewarding to start learning about any topic that is of personal interest. In fact, on the Internet there are interesting proposals that allow access to courses or free educational content.

6. Take care of yourself

Health problems can easily be transferred to the realm of psychological problems linked to anxiety and stress. Therefore, it is good to practice moderate exercise, sleep well and eat well.