Benefits From Work

Leaving the structures and routines of our working years can be difficult for some people. These create our days, weeks, and seasons and become familiar and comfortable and the transition out of them can leave us feeling unstable. The comfort and predictability are gone on the first day of retirement.

You get to decide how you’ll replace work, and it can be overwhelming to focus on your own wants and needs, perhaps for the first time in decades.

A good starting point is to become aware of your thoughts about work and retirement. This is especially important if the transition has been difficult, or if you anticipate being stir-crazy without a busy schedule.

There are so many cultural influences for how we think about productivity. The messages the Baby Boomers got were all about working hard, being productive, and getting ahead.

What messages did you receive about work and productivity? And how have they influenced your view of retirement?

Some people use work as a form of escape. I did this myself over several years as I poured my energy into my job to escape from the stress and sadness of my failing marriage. Others thrive on being called on to solve problems, or enjoy the respect from colleagues, or relish the recognition from a job well done. Most of us get more out of our jobs than just a paycheck.

It is possible to break the cycle of work and start doing what you want to do. It may take time to get in touch with what that looks like for you, but talking with others – friends, a coach that specializes in the non-financial aspects of retirement planning, or a therapist, along with experimenting and trying new things can help.