Richard Eisenberg is the money and work editor for Next Avenue. He wrote about how work defines and gives purpose. He wrote about the stages of retirement.
The honeymoon period may look like one long vacation. No demands. No deadlines. Doing pretty much what you want to do. Problem becomes that the old lady in the ratty jeans and equally comfortable t-shirt does not radiate the presence of the lady in the business suit.
Not getting the same reaction from people can make you wonder who you are. Enter some anxiety and maybe a little depression. At minimal there could be an existential moment: who am I now?
The need to fill probably ten or so hours a day that never needed to be filled before becomes a real burden. If forced out by disability, the condition you had developed an uneasy truce with becomes the target of anger and resentment.
So what are the alternatives to being adrift on a sea of endless, uncommitted time? Back to the job market? Every post I have read suggests it. Part-time. Reduced demands on your areas of weakness (for us, read ‘not a lot of close vision work’). Again, if you liked your job, something in a related field would be good. Otherwise, follow a passion.
Every post I have read suggests following passions and developing dormant talents, too. Sounds like a good idea so I will suggest it as well. To follow my passion I have thought about volunteering for the local animal rescue group. Excellent vision not required for shoveling poop and walking pups. These pages are also something I would like to keep on doing as long as I am able.
And here is the classified ad: we are still very open to the idea of guest writers, both professionals and those with personal stories to tell. Contact Lin. The usual stipulations, we reserve the rights to not publish, to edit, etc.
Back to the regularly scheduled programming:
To paraphrase Barbara [Streisand] “People who need people are the happiest people in the world”. The posts all suggest: if you have relationships in your life, cultivate them. If there are no people in your life, go find some. If you cannot find anyone to put up with you? Get a dog! Beastie Baby is #7 and I have never had a bad one. (Although they have had their moments. I remember chasing Augie down the road with a piece of kindling wood after he growled and snapped at me. We came to an understanding with no blood shed by either party!)
And for the really powerful? What does Eisenberg suggest for when type As retire? Well, although he does not use these words, apparently developing a social network of ‘big names’ might work.
Sounds like name dropping may let you feel you have maintained your status!
He also suggested adding stress back into your life. There are those of us – like yours truly – who thrive in the chaos. Build in some crazy goals and go after them!
Sounds pretty basic. Probably nothing you did not already know. Now we just need to remember to practice them. Good luck creating the new you!