Boredom and Cabin Fever times a zillion!

by Linda
(WI)

I retired December 2010 at the age of 56 after 22 years of Federal service and prior to that several years of banking.

Right after retiring my husband and I spent the rest of the winter in AZ assisting my father-in-law who has Alzheimer's, it did not turn out well. I loved the weather though and I was busy.

We came home in April 2011. I had a wonderful active summer/fall and then fell ill with a virus, which turned into sinus problems that finally led to surgery Jan. 2012. It's now March and I'm climbing the walls because I'm usually asleep by 10 p.m. and I wake up very early.

I'm not one to sit all day and do nothing but I don't know what to do with myself anymore. My husband on the other hand doesn't mind being idle. He retired after 20 years of military service in 2001 so he's had a head start adjusting to being retired.

Our children and grandchildren are wonderful but they have busy lives and we don't get too much time with them.

I just submitted paperwork to volunteer at our youngest grandson's school that should help with the extreme boredom. I also think once the weather starts to get warmer I'll find a lot to do outside again.

I thought retirement would be so easy and carefree but from what I've read so far on this website for some it takes getting used to. I am suffering from mild anxiety and hope it doesn't get any worse.

It helps to know I'm not the only person who feels the way I do at the moment. I'm glad I stumbled onto this website. I appreciate and am grateful for all the suggestions on how to stay busy in retirement.

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