Before Retirement Anxiety and Depression

Before you retire, you have the huge decision on whether you are ready to retire or not? This "before retirement" decision can bring on anxiety, depression , and many sleepless nights...

Tell me -- HOW does a person make the mental adjustment to "walk out the door" and retire. I have been employed for 33 years with the same employer. I've been eligible to retire for two years now.. and yet, still, I work. WHY?

I have done pre-retirement planning workshops for 20 years now, and now it's ME who can't quite retire?

I am consumed with the dream of my retirement. I have many hobbies, love working on my websites, and yet.. here I am employed with my long time employer and also working at home to build something to do after I retire.

I'm not the "retirement" sort... have you guessed that already? I'm also "only" 52... not ready for a rocking chair, gotta keep moving! My decision is not financial, its purely psychological at this point.

I want my own time, freedom from work hours, and yet, will I have too much time?

Will I miss being "Wendy from Human Resources"?

Should I consider part time work or just work from home on my websites?

What will I do every morning when I wake up?

What will I do all day, every day?

Do I suddenly become "old" when I am "retired"?

Enough about ME -- how does anyone get past the thought and anxiety associated with the decision of retirement. While we are excited about the possibilities, the freedom of retirement -- why do we lie awake worrying about whether we are making the right decision? Are you depressed?

So many retirees give me the same advice, over and over.. oddly enough, they all use the exact same words. It's their mantra.. only they don't realize they ALL say it. What is IT?

"You know when it's right... "

Oh my, such simple advice... and I do beleive they are right! So, I continue to work, until the retirement angel taps me on the shoulder and whispers into my ear: "It's time, you can retire, it's the right time...."

I'd love to hear from you... how did YOU make the decision to "walk out the door" and retire?

Thanks ever so much! Wendy

Please Share Your Own Story on Depression/Anxiety After Retirement

Your comments will help others to think about retirement, before leaping into the "depression at retirement" pit. Please share what happened to you so that others can plan ahead accordingly:

Did you fall into a depression when you retired?

How long did it last?

In your opinion, what helped you to break away from the depression?

How did you walk out that retirement door? Did you volulntarily retire, or did you leave because of a disability, employer forced you out, etc?

Were you thrilled to leave your employer or was it a difficult decision?

Name your "Retirement Depression" story here..

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