Retiring very soon-and already depressed

I'll be retiring from my job of thirty years in about a month and I'm feeling a lot of anxiety already.

You see, my wife retired from her job after thirty-three years and was anxious for me to join her in retirement. Then she died of cancer - that was three years ago.

So now I have no one 'waiting' for me- I will retire alone.

I'm 55 years old and have the rest of my life
ahead of me now and I'm scared to death. I do have
a number of interests - including involvement in
community theatre (where my wife and I met), and
I'm thinking about returning to college next year
to pursue a bachelor's degree.

I feel like I might be running away from my job
because of a couple of bad situations that happened recently - a relationship with a female co-worker that didn't work out, and a couple of other co-workers I just plain don't get along with. So there is some real sadness, a sense of incompletion, as I prepare to leave.

Can anyone relate to this? I need some encouragement!

Wendy: Can Anyone NOT relate to this? I think 99.9% of folks have some anxiety over retirement.. it's normal. The Director of Senior Citizen Services used to say, at Pre-Retirement Planning Classes - Allow yourself to grieve. Just like with any huge change in life, you need to give yourself time.

You might be anxious -- but I'm sensing from your story that you are also "ready". I was SOOO ready and surprised I finally got there. It also sounds like you have thought about what you are going to do (so many don't even consider what they'll do later).. so WHY NOT RETIRE?

Why deal with coworkers that you don't have to deal with any more..

Have fun instead! Whatever fun is to you...

At 55, like me, you have a whole world waiting for whatever you choose to do or be!

Best Wishes! Wendy

p.s. YIKES! I just noticed that you posted this a whole month ago.. I am so sorry! That also means you are retiring VERY SOON or possibly already retired!