Happiness in Retirement Survey

Happiness is one of those words that is many different things to each person. Just as our retired lives are different, so are our definitions of Happiness.

Help me to Help you by understanding what retirees are facing today. Help me know what happiness is to you, and what issues you are presently dealing with so I know best how I might help you.

Retirement Happiness Survey

 
 

I really do appreciate your time providing answers to my Happiness in Retirement Questions. Your responses are important to me!


Happiness Survey Results

The results below are from the first week of this Happiness Survey but it gives a good idea what retirees are worried about! 

Define "Retirement Happiness"

  • to be able to do want you want and when without feeling any guilt. we earned this time, also to be healthy and have love near.
  • My retirement happiness is my freedom to do whatever I feel like doing. The opportunities I have to take a course for free on any subject that interest me. My interest since retirement has grown. My husband and I enjoy travelling which has been cancelled for this year, so my interest changed to our home, gardens, online course, staying in touch with family and friends. As a couple we enjoy each other's company and respect each other's space.
  • Excitement for things to come, having a purpose, relaxation, peace, contentment, enjoying the simple things, and most important enjoying family more. 
  • The ability to do what I want when I want and the money to do so to a certain degree 
  • Not having to get up to an alarm clock. Being able to do What I want When I want If I want. Moving at a more leisurely pace.
  • Going to bed and getting up when I want. Being free fr.
  • Contentment. Acceptance of this stage and finding the next 
  • I'm not sure if "happiness is the right word for me but... my "bliss" moments... riding a body board on a really long wave..in a warm sea. Being able to do things I enjoy, walking, embroidery, reading, playing with my animals, spending time in the Australian bush. Happiness to me comes in snatches of time. Making my garden more bird, bee, native animal and insect friendly. Spending time with my loved ones, this includes my dear friends. I am not always happy though, I dont think anyone is always happy... 
  • Feeling right with your soul. Right with God. 
  • Retirement Happiness is the same as any happiness. Having everything you need in all aspect of life. That does not mean having a lot of things it is being happy with all you have, Focusing on all you have rather than what you do not have. What ever you enjoyed anytime in your life is still available for you to enjoy. Happiness is not something you can order up, it is something you create from the raw materials you have within you. 
  • Happiness is a mind set determined by the thoughts we have. While thought is ephemeral it can be directed. Thoughts help us get through difficult times and is independent of circumstances. We have the power to be happy regardless of what is actually going on around us. 
  • Good health, someone to share it with, and financial security. That being said an attitude of gratitude and a firm belief in God are necessary for true happiness. 
  • No morning alarm, and free time every day to do the hobbies I love. 
  • Retirement happiness is not having to go to work, not worrying about a boss, and able to go where I want to. Waking up in the morning when my body wants,not when an alarm goes off.
  • Retirement Happiness to me can be defined as having the ability to appreciate the time to do what interests you whatever that may be-guilt free. 
  • Not having to go to work and escaping the rat race and forced associations. Time to do whatever I like with my time. Time to relax more, exercise adequately and focus on healthy lifestyle. Peace of mind 
  • Happiness is having the means and free time to do things you want to do and love. For me it is the ability to pursue my passion of hunting Turkeys and Deer, which I do every chance I get since I retired. Its also the ability to spend time with my children and Grand children. The ability to travel during retirement is also an important element of happiness for me. 
  • Day to day, week to week just finding things that please you and make you feel alive. Not riches or having all the toys that men like that you use a couple times a year and then sit in your yard waiting to be sold, Reading a good book or seeing a good movie. Walking with your loved one. doing the things that make you feel good. Some days you have to push yourself a little to get going nut it will be alright. 
  • There is none for me, I hate retirement and wish I worked til I dropped. 
  • Taking care of my house and pets, having time for fun hobbies, spending time with my husband, more time to read,and maybe taking some short trips. Mostly a happy retirement for me is having the time to do whatever I want when I want to do it.
  • Knowing that I'm financially able and reasonably healthy to live my life 
  • Lowered anxiety levels, less haunted by depression, a hopeful feeling, getting involved in something meaningful. 
  • Becoming the person I always wanted to be. Re-inventing myself. Enriching my relationships. Moving to a location that is beautiful.
  • Retired in 2012, now 74 y/o and I'm still looking for that happiness. There have been a few good things, no commuting in traffic jams. I was lucky in that I really enjoyed my job and coworker social environment. And I have not been able to fill the missing people and the feeling of worthiness since then. I am thankful for having pretty good health so far and am doing OK in the money dept, too. But I'm living in a political putrid area, Silicon Valley Calif. not good for retirees or conservatives. Was hoping to move to Sarasota, Fla this year, but now, ... who knows? 
  • Have the health, desire, and ability to serve my community and enjoy some leisure activities (traveling, gardening). 
  • For me it's more like contentment with a low-pressure lifestyle, in which I can do my crafts and go places with friends and be involved in my club. I have the time to help out with house and yard projects with my husband, or go places with him, or just sit and talk sometimes. 
  • When we know we haven't missed anything or anyone, we are fairly happy; but when other people says thank you from the little things we know we are happy. Happy Mother's day
  • Having the freedom (and finances) to travel around the country with your spouse; physical strength to work around the house like you used to do; see the kids in successful careers and families of their own. 
  • Enjoying every day and finding purpose. 
  • Finally, Retirement Happiness is being able to enjoy what ever I want to do when I want to do it. Also, hopefully having the capabilities in maintaining my health. 
  • To me happiness is in quality relationships, finding positive ideas and feedback (prayer) , and serving something or someone higher than yourself (Jesus). 
  • Being able to do what I want when I want. 
  • Doing what I like to do, Making a difference, Travel, Grandkids, Health, Gf, Financial stability, Happy marriage 
  • A sense of purpose and meaning. To find value and significance in each day. Accomplish something every day that will be of benefit to you or someone you love in 6 months, one year, or in five years. 
  • A sense of purpose, contentment and peace. In short, Ikigai.
  • I am married to a bitter old women (60) who has no interest in me and has made my retirement years a surreal nightmare. So to answer your question happiness for me would be to dump the old luggage and move on with one of the many women I meet who would be thrilled to do things together. 
  • I would define retirement happiness as enjoying the freedom that this time of life allows. In order to be happy in retirement, you must still stay engaged with life and still feel productive and vital.     
  • Financially secure, in a happy, loving relationship. In touch with family and friends. Plenty of activities and interests and probably most important of all, in good health. 
  • Being content with life and finding joy in simple things. Able to laugh easily and be comfortable being alone with yourself.
  • Happiness is knowing I don't have to worry about getting up in time for work and not to worry about the weather while driving to work. 
  • Being able to do what I want, when I want with no set schedule.
  • Having the time to do the things that you have dreamed of and planned for during your working years. 
  • Feeling satisfaction. 
  • This is not a magic Word. For me Happiness is to wake up every day listening to the birds by my window. Drinking a good breakfast with a cup of coffee. Have a conversation with hubby about the things of each day. Have an excellent health. Have the love of my beloved children and relatives. Knowing that there is SOMEONE in HEAVEN taking care of us in spite of the difficult circumstances we face. 
  • Healthy and having sufficient financial resources to pursue hobbies and travel.  
  • Peace of mind, Contentment, Activities, Purpose

What worries wake you up at night?

  • Corona virus and having to depend on someone.
  • Worries usually change when circumstances change. When the Canada/US border shut down, my worries were about my daughter and her husband who live in Philadelphia. Now we facetime everyday to ensure we are all fine, they are working from home and isolated and we are isolated. Still when I think ahead and bring on negative thoughts that would wake me up at night. I am learning to just accept what is happening right now.
  • Becoming too isolated, worrying about kids and grandkids, getting along with my spouse being together more, finding my purpose in retirement. 
  • I don't have any consistent ones. 
  • Anxiety about every little thing. 
  • Health issues sometimes. 
  • Isolation. Not belonging to anything 
  • I worry about my health and that of my husband. Have a few issues that concern me greatly. I have a son with a disability and I really worry about where he will live and who with. I worry about losing my independence...dont know how I would cope. I also worry about getting dementia as my mother had it 
  • Bad thoughts of my past. Concerns about what needs to be done now and for my future. 
  • None. 
  • I have chronic pain, that's what gets me up at night, my body too wracked to sleep. 
  • No worries just aches and pains. 
  • Fear that I will die young and miss out on time I oils have spent with my daughter. She lives 3000 miles away. 
  • Mainly just little things, like house maintenance. Right now the pandemic makes me worry. 
  • Covid 19 
  • Let Me put it this way. I continue to pray for Good health and long life to enjoy my retirement. 
  • Our existing political situation. We have a President , whos inexperience has caused the USA to lose status on the World stage. We used to be looked up to by virtually every nation around the World, but now because of some of the existing administration actions, this has damaged this status. Very Sad.
  • The only thing that usually wakes me up at night is having to pee about 5 times lol. 
  • Being alone, money, where I will live, etc, etc. All I do is worry from day until night and have no one to help me, 
  • Getting old and losing freedom and independence. Worries about other family members. 
  • I worry about my loved ones - my siblings are all getting older and they have health issues to deal with, and my grandchildren are just starting their lives and I worry that they make the right decisions to make their lives better. 
  • Physical problems, dying, depression, financial uncertainty.
  • Health, relationship, future lifestyle 
  • Fortunately I sleep good most nights. But this virus thing of course is pretty much on my mind all day. Both health and economy wise. The political hatred is destroying this country. And, in my opinion, it's mostly due to liberal media and social media. And the Democrats have said repeatedly, "we will stop at nothing to Destroy Trump.". And I DO think they hope this economy will not start to recover quickly because they feel the bad economy will cause Trump to lose. As they said, ... 'we will stop at nothing ...' (You asked) 
  • Health issues, possibly being left old and alone.(My spouse and I have no children). 
  • My husband's health issues make COVID-19 a real nightmare. I worry about things in the house breaking that I can't afford to fix and we can't handle on our own any more, like the plumbing, or the garage door. I'm a worrier lifelong, so it's always something, but I can usually get to sleep. These keep me from it. 
  • It's a feeling when everyone don't get your understand your message at the same time; because everyone sees things differently; some worst than others. It's the same feeling of have not watered the flowers enough; so you want to go back to be sure.
  • Nothing wakes me up. I usually takes me all of two minutes to go to sleep. Unexpected financial expenses 
  • So far, no worries. 
  • mostly health concerns 
  • Worries about my children and grandchildren as it pertains to the dangers of the world today, whether it be the virus, drugs or just violence in general. 
  • My health Covid 19 
  • That I'm not busy livin... I'm busy dyin. 
  • Future of children 
  • My health I worry about when I am going to finally feel content as a retired person. 
  • None, but I do wake up at night. 
  • Money worries, my brain going to mush. 
  • arthritis pain 
  • The possibility of my husband's cancer coming back. 
  • In general, I sleep very well. Medical concerns sometimes keep my mind rolling at bedtime. And, at this time, not being able to see family due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 
  • Nothing. I sleep well. Maybe too much. 
  • Sometimes I'm afraid of having health problems. Sometimes about nature events that could destroy everything I have : my life, my family my house. 
  • The future possibilities for our children and grandchildren; they seem terribly diminished in the last few years. 
  • House needs updating, clutter clearing Worried about my husband's health Not having a purpose Nothing to do No friends

What are your top two challenges right now?

What do you want to do, or create, but feel stuck in doing that?

  • I just want the freedom that I do have. 
  • I want the ability start some new projects at home right now but unable to shop for the required items. Whether it is garden items or products for my furniture refinishing projects. I have always been a person that needs a project or two to keep me occupied. I picked the online courses to keep my mind occupied until I can physically go to a store for my hobbies. 
  • That's the problem...I don't know. I just feel lost right now.
  • Have a better relationship with my sons and their families. I did until they got married and had kids. Now I wait for an invite to be included in something, anything with them.
  • nothing really 
  • Finding a place /thing /friends that I can contribute 
  • I have only been retired for about 6 weeks, I had a lot of plans to join groups etc, but of course these are on hold for now. I would like to volunteer in my native botanical gardens. I want to join embroidery group, a choir and a bushwalking group... and study. 
  • Most of the time I enjoy taking care of my home, yard and vehicle. I do not want 'things such as that to 'own' me though. 
  • I am not sure what this is asking. We (My Husband and I) learn something new every day. Languages, cultural differences around the world, skills (Sailing, Boat Repair, electrical, plumbing, self sufficience, Youtube is our friend. One can learn anything with youtube and internet) There is a great dopamine rush from learning something new. 
  • I want a companion, but in these circumstances it is even unlikely to adopt a pet, everyone has the same idea at the same time, what I need is a bit more balance. 
  • I am doing what I enjoy. Gardening, taking care of my home and doing things with my wife of almost over 49 years. 
  • Practice drawing every single day and exercise every single day.
  • I just take baby steps - and before I know it, I’m doing. 
  • None at the moment. I prepared an activity list prior to retirement.....started before and after. Thanks to retirement online blog for this pre retirement advice and others. 
  • N/A 
  • I would like to build a couple of storage sheds but my back starts bothering me, same with the new floors my wife wants. 
  • I do not even know. I have spent my entire life worrying about how to survive and I am tired of it. There is no hope, no future - am really to die and that is the truth. Went from a vibrant person who loved life to this. I hate it. 
  • Organizing some areas of my house. 
  • I want to travel more, but during and after the covid-19 pandemic I'm more concerned about sitting in an airplane or going on a cruise. 
  • I don't know. That's where I'm stuck. I want to move to a safer, more beautiful and less crowded area. I want to conduct therapy with a different population of clients. I want to learn to do online counseling and become more proficient in using the computer. 
  • As I said above, I was hoping to move to Fla this year. But with the current situation, everything is questionable and on hold. I am single and a conservative. I have been on dating sites trying to find a lady, but here in Silicon Valley, most of the ladies I met are hate filled liberals, and go off like a Roman Candle when the topic of illegal immigration, or any area of "Make America Great Again" is mentioned. A few months after the election, I met a lady for lunch for our first date. About an hour or so into our conversation, the Trump topic came up. When I mentioned that I voted for Trump, she got up and said, "well that is not acceptable to me" and walked out. 
  • I want to feel like I felt before thyroid problems took away life as I knew it. I was so fill of energy and creativity before that happened 4 years ago - just 2 1/3 years into retirement. 
  • I want to sell off some stuff we don't need but if the working people aren't working who would buy it? Same with putting crafts in the consignment shop that sells mostly to tourists, who aren't coming. I want to go shopping with my friend but it's dangerous for us to do that. I'd even like to hang out and try to get her sewing machine running but still that endangers us both. 
  • Better communication; Although we are taught general communication skills in school; it is not current enough to relate our mind, body and spiritual relationships with our partners
  • Still cannot accept having no work ($$$). 
  • Work part-time as RN but clinical skills are not up to date. 
  • Not sure.  
  • I do not feel stuck. I want to serve my creator and others in some way. 
  • I’d like to contribute to a start up in some way, but working from home or start my own online business. I read up on starting an online business and attend webinars, but am wary of the hype and money needed to invest when I’m not sure of the legitimacy. Also, things advance pretty quickly technologically which can be very intimidating. 
  •  Unable to do things due to virus and my health 
  •  I'd like to meet a woman with similar likes and desires. 
  •  Finding meaningful occupation/activity 
  •  Want to start a new life
  • Leave a legacy. 
  •  Not sure. Maybe making a blog or writing a book of some sort. When I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. refresh my musical skills. I use to play the organ and clarinet. I was interested, when I was young, to learn other musical instruments. 
  • Wanting to travel, but currently cannot leave home due to Coronavirus. 
  • I want to build my own summer home/cabin. I've dreamed of it. I've saved for it. I bought the property on which to build it. But, it doesn't feel necessary now that my husband and I spend the summers at the summer home he inherited from his parents. And, my property is just 4 miles down the road! 
  • Volunteer. Spend more time alone. Find women friends.
  • After 10 years of retirement am a bit bored with same hobbies, even before Covid12 was somewhat fed up with travel.
  • Find a purpose Quit dwelling on the past

Age

How Long Have You Been Retired