At first, retirement can feel like a dream come true. No more early mornings, long commutes, or stressful workdays. And perhaps the best part—no more taking orders from a demanding boss. You have the freedom to do whatever you please. You can sleep in, travel to places you’ve always wanted to visit, indulge in leisure activities, and spend quality time with the grandkids.
In those early days, it feels like freedom—like being as free as a bird. But for some retirees (particularly those who thrive on being productive), that initial sense of relaxation may soon wear off. They realize that a life of endless vacation isn’t enough. There’s a deeper need for something meaningful, challenging, and stimulating—because these are the things that truly bring them happiness.
I’ve heard countless stories of people whose loved ones ended up feeling unhappy after retirement, despite having successful careers as doctors, teachers, or executives. They were expected to have a fulfilling retirement, but something was missing. They no longer had the sense of purpose that their careers had provided. The daily contributions they made to their work had given their life structure, meaning, and coherence.
These needs are fundamental, built into who they are, and the hunger for purpose never fully goes away. If those needs aren’t met, it can lead to feelings of unhappiness, health problems, or in extreme cases, even death.
Overcoming Retirement Shock
It’s estimated that around one in three people will experience retirement shock shortly after retiring, similar to the odds of getting shingles. Yet, despite how common it is, retirement shock doesn’t receive the attention it deserves.
For context, I experienced retirement shock myself, just as my father did. I even had a good friend who died from it, drinking himself to death after struggling with the transition.
Avoiding retirement shock requires finding something to fill the gap left by your full-time job. You need to replace the positive aspects of work: something that’s challenging and stimulating, that gives you a sense of achievement, and that encourages learning and growth. These are the things that ignite a sense of purpose. Without finding ways to replace them, happiness can feel out of reach.
The retirees who find the most joy are the ones who are best prepared. They understand their deepest needs and regularly engage in activities that meet those needs.
Finding a New Focus in Retirement
These happy retirees don’t experience retirement shock because they are excited about what’s ahead. They have a clear plan for what they will do, and they know why it’s important to them. Their confidence comes from this sense of purpose, which enables them to relax and fully enjoy retirement. They’ve prepared themselves by focusing not just on leaving work behind, but on what meaningful activities will fill their lives moving forward.
By chip.ca
(used with permission)
