Blindsided by Retirement

by Anne-Marie
(California)

I was so ready to leave work; I just really hated it, plus it was really stressful.

But now that 2 months has gone by, I really feel like I'm going nuts sometimes, also, I get very lonely and sad and wonder if I'll ever get over feeling bad.

I'm supposed to be having a great time. Work friends are all still caught up in the hub-bub of their jobs.

You have to plan so far in advance due to really busy schedules. I wonder if I still have any friends at all.

I want to volunteer at the SFSPCA and help socialize the kitties that need good homes. When I went to the Orientation, I got so sad and depressed thinking about all these kitties that need homes.

When does it stop? It's really hard and I hope I can get through it.

I'm single, so there's no spouse or kids either; maybe I should have married and settled down and had kids. Too late now, so I just hope I can get through all this change.

It is very upsetting and disorienting. I pray every day, I've tried a few new things, but they make me feel alienated. What else can I say?

Wendy: Anne-Marie, I hear you, and it's not just you as I hear this same story over and over... the good thing is, for most retirees, life does get better!

At first, you lose your work identity, don't really know where you belong, or what you might do for many hours each day. At some point, I pray, you will find yourself -- your new self!

You'll get there - open your eyes to opportunities! This site is changing to be just that - the calm voice in the retirement storm, helping retirees to find themselves again!