Life is full of transitions and many, like the birth of a child, are happy ones.
And while some people happily count the days to their retirement, for others it can be a difficult change after decades of work.
But Greenville psychologist Martha Durham says retirement can be a fulfilling time full of opportunities to do the things you may have put off because of your job.
“Some people work to live,” she says, “and some people live to work.”
Work to Live and Live to Work
The first group tends not to struggle at retirement, instead looking forward to beach trips or tennis or spending time with their grandchildren, she says.
For the second group, leaving the career that defined their sense of self for 30 years can mean depression and anxiety, she says.
“For a lot of men, and women too, but more men, their profession is a core, like who they are,” she says. “It’s like, ‘Who am I now?’ ”
But Durham says there are lots of ways to make retirement a wonderful time.
Finding social support, especially people close to your own age, is important, she says, as is doing things with other like-minded people, like walking, or joining a group like Senior Action, the garden club or book club.
“Go out to breakfast or to coffee with your buddies,” she says.
Getting involved in volunteer work at something you love, like an animal sanctuary, or finding some part-time work you enjoy can also be beneficial.
“It’s more of a passion thing,” she says. “You can make your own rules.”
Also helpful is engaging more in a beloved hobby like fishing, ballroom dancing or photography, or picking up a new one, she says.
Finally, she says, it’s important to take care of your body by eating well, taking a yoga or Pilates class, keeping your brain sharp by using it and getting outdoors in the sunshine.
Most people transition into retirement just fine, she says. The key is to focus on what you want to do, not what you’re no longer able to do.
“It doesn’t have to be a stop in how you live,” she says. “You just redefine how you do it.”
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
AARP – 866-389-5655; local.aarp.org/greenville-sc/
Appalachian Area Agency on Aging – 864-242-9733; scacog.org/aging-services
Senior Action – 864-467-3660; senioraction.org
Seniors Out and Around (Greer) – 864-968-7001; cityofgreer.org/535/Seniors-Out-Around-SOAR
Ray Hopkins Senior Center (Mauldin) – 864-234-3488; cityofmauldin.org/things-to-do/senior-center/
Simpsonville Activity and Senior Center – 864-967-9533; simpsonville.com/parksrec/page/activity-and-senior-center
