Retirement: it’s the golden years, the time we’ve all been waiting for, right?
I still have one foot on the dock and one foot on the boat because I’m afraid to retire.
For most men retirement sounds like this:
No more alarm clocks, no more rush hour traffic, no more reports.
But let me tell you, it’s not all golf courses and margaritas by the pool.
For a lot of us guys, retirement can hit like a ton of bricks when it comes to feeling isolated.
One day you’re surrounded by coworkers, grabbing lunch with the guys from IT, complaining about the boss.
It’s just you, your TV, and a whole lot of silence.
That shift can be jarring, to say the least.
I remember when my friend Cory first retired.
He thought he’d won the lottery.
Cory’s a night owl so this is his dream to sleep as long as he wants.
Binge-watch entire seasons of shows?
But after a few weeks, the novelty wore off.
He found himself missing the stupidest things — like Carl’s terrible jokes or even Susan’s endless stories about her grandkids.
Hell, he even started to miss those mind-numbing team meetings.
The thing is, work isn’t just about the paycheck.
It’s about routine, purpose, and most importantly, social connections.
When that all disappears overnight, it can leave a pretty big hole in your life.
And let’s face it, men aren’t always the best at admitting when we’re struggling or reaching out for help.
But here’s the deal — it doesn’t have to be that way.
Retirement can be a new adventure if you approach it right.
Here are a few things that helped Cory turn things around:
1. Keep a schedule. It sounds boring, but having some structure to your day can work wonders.
2. Find a hobby. Always wanted to learn guitar? Now’s your chance.
3. Volunteer. It gets you out of the house and makes you feel useful.
4. Join a club. Whatever you’re into, there’s probably a group for it.
5. Stay active. Hit the gym, take a walk, join a sports team. It’s good for your body and your mind.
6. Reconnect with old friends. They’re probably in the same boat.
7. Learn something new. Take a class, learn a language, challenge your brain.
The key is to stay engaged and keep putting yourself out there.
Yeah, it can be tough at first.
But trust me, it gets easier.
Retirement isn’t the end of the road — it’s just a new chapter.
There’s still plenty of life to live, plenty of new experiences to have, and plenty of new friends to make.
You’ve just got to take that first step.
Remember, we’re all in this together.
So if you’re feeling isolated, reach out to your family, to your friends, to a professional if you need to.
There’s no shame in admitting you’re struggling.
In fact, it takes a hell of a lot of courage.
So here’s to the next adventure, fellas.
It might not be what we expected, but it can be pretty damn great if we make it that way.
>>> Check out my new men’s community Epic Encore
Ted
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
