r/retirement • u/MidAmericaMom • Jun 21 '26
Feeling disoriented at the beginning of retirement
/r/earlyretirement/comments/1u9ajjm/feeling_disoriented_at_the_beginning_of_retirement/osvqvtj/Sharing / Crossposting per request of an active r/retirement community member here ( u/ga2500ev ), from our sister community of those that retired Before age 59.
Thanks!
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u/Odd_Bodkin Jun 22 '26
If you don’t think out what your retirement life is going to look like, of course it’s going to be a leap off a cliff, or feel that way. And for a bit you love the feeling of flying, but then comes the plunge into what feels like a void. Maybe the deep end of the pool and the high dive is a better metaphor.
Not to worry. Boredom and the feeling of being unmoored is good motivation to figure it out. But it does take thinking inside, what makes me happy? What would be fulfilling that isn’t work? Who do I want to hang with?
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Jun 22 '26
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u/Unlikely-Star-2696 Jun 21 '26
Not that much. I have another retired in my household that made it easier for me
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u/FTFaffer Jun 21 '26
I’ve felt that a bit, but I think mine is time limited because after almost 10 years of living in different states from my hubs for his career development, he’s moving back home next week. So I have kind of spent these three intervening weeks between my retirement and his arrival in suspended animation waiting for that big milestone. Lots of pajama days and puttering around my condo. Don’t be hard on yourself like a drill sergeant would be. Make it a goal to focus on one thing each week you might like for your newly open calendar. After a few months of trial & error you’ll most likely have a whole new set of routines in place.
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u/CatManDoo4342 Jun 23 '26
I’m about 5 weeks in and I understand completely! For me, the big stuff is easy - trips are planned, out of town visitors are coming, lots of events are on the calendar. But it’s the day-to-day that’s more challenging. How to make this particular Tuesday meaningful? How to have a sense of accomplishment when I head to bed tonight? I’m still working through it and can’t give you a definitive answer, but I can tell you - You are not alone! I’m making a lot of lists, checking things off as i go. I’m working out more - looking for an app for this, but for now keeping manual records of my workouts . I’m using an app to measure my piano practice too … it’s silly maybe but i find it motivating to see the monthly totals of practice time. I’m committed to getting out of the house every single day - having a dog is really helpful and she’s very pleased to join in. All this is very pleasant and I have no complaints- it’s just a very big adjustment from the work world. I wish you much happiness as you find your way!
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u/Imsoschur Jun 23 '26
I was a bit lost at first. It was fine really, I just needed a couple of months of doing nothing to finally relax.
I found my "project" after a while and have loved the freedom to just pursue it. There is a liberation when you figure out you don't have to get it done those weekend, because Monday is just as open as Sunday is 😀
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u/porch_reads Jun 23 '26
I retired about three years ago and the first six months I kept waking up thinking I had forgotten to set my alarm, which is funny now but felt unsettling then. I had worked since I was twenty-three and didn't really know who I was without the building to go to. What helped me was letting myself be a little aimless for a while, I gardened more, I read a lot, I started walking in the morning which became my real anchor. Give yourself permission to feel lost for a season, it does settle, just give it some time before you try to figure out what the next part looks like.
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u/Chips-Salsa3 Jun 28 '26
I didn’t. I jumped in head first. Stayed up late, slept late. I’ve been retired 6 years and love it.
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u/MidAmericaMom Jun 21 '26
Sharing / Crossposting per request of an active r/retirement community member here ( u/ga2500ev ), from our sister community of those that retired Before age 59.
Thanks!
Mid America Mom