Moments of sadness and depression

by Robert

At the age of 60, I retired at the end of 2013 after working over 35 years with a major company as a mid-level manager.

I had worked all of my life since I was 13 years old and worked even thru college. I felt that it was time to retire, enjoy life, take it easy and take the early retirement offer that was being made by the company.
No more long commutes to the office and long 9-10 hour days.

My first year of retirement went well, I stayed busy upgrading our house. My wife continued her part time job while I worked around the house.

Her mom passed away in 2012 and pretty much since then we've had responsibility for caring for her now 85 year old father. My wife's two brothers who live out of town rarely offer or are available to care for him for even short periods of time so the burden continues to fall on us to care for him. Caring for him for three years now has begun to take its toll on me and my wife. We are fortunate that he is able to feed and dress himself and that he occasionally likes to spend time at the local senior center, however my wife and I are still limited in being able to just leave and do what we would like.

Recently some other family concerns have popped up that we are having to deal with and I've now begun worrying about our investments and if they will be enough to carry us thru our later years.

On top of this, despite being healthy all of my life I required three out patient hospital procedures this year which has really thrown me for a loop.

With all of this going on, a sense of depression & sadness over where all of this is headed has begun to come over me. Not all days are bad but there are days where it just hits me like a ton of bricks.

I really try to be upbeat, pray daily and look at the positives in my life but it is tough, I don't take any meds and just work thu each day a day at a time.

I recently started a part time job to get me out of the house but I hate it, however the thought of quitting is not something that I really want to do. I will continue to look around and hopefully find something that will keep me occupied.

I can certainly relate to many of the comments posted by others regarding life in retirement because personally, things have definitely not turned out the way that I expected.

Comments for Moments of sadness and depression

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Prayers is the Key!
by: Len, Palau

Hello Robert and Greetings from the Pacific Islands.

You mentioned prayers. That's it!

When I lost my husband and both my parents within few years, it was very difficult. I was sad and depressed for awhile. Prayers got me through.

You see God gives you responsibilities knowing that you can handle them. I believe it is all part of his divine plan for each and everyone of us.

God bless you and your family as you continue this part of your life's journey.

Len

Retirement and depression
by: Nancy, Indiana

I get it, taking care of an elderly parent can cause depression. I went through it with my Grandmother, then my Mother, although unlike you and your wife, I wasn't the primary caregiver. My sisters and I were estranged because of decisions over my mother's care. It was bad. I will pray for you also. Things will get better. You just don't know when, or they may be gradually getting better so you don't notice until you look back. Which reminds me of when I was in Peace Corps. I taught in a huge high school in Casablanca, to Moroccan students. It was really hard, but one day I came home and realized my day had been relatively decent. Then it continued to get better and better after that.

I also know what you mean about health problems. My arthritis has been getting worse and worse and causing chronic fatigue. I'm 66 now. When I first retired I went to the gym to work out every day, but am no longer able to work out.

I send you my support and will continue to pray for you.

Remember your childhood dreams
by: Elna Nugent, Lenox, MA

Dear Robert:

You are still quite young. When you were in your early years of life can you remember what things really turned you on?
Did you ever imagine or dream about what you would most like to do or be when you grew up?

There is often an element connected to our childhood dreams that can ignite something in our older years. Any hobbies or things you were especially good at doing might give you some insight now.

Aim toward what excites you the most , what you really love to do. You apparently had to take a job now to help with sudden expenses, and that is understandable. But that may only be short term. Don't give up daring to dream of doing something that makes you excited to get up in the morning and address. You deserve it. Many Blessings,Elna

WORK AT A JOB YOU LIKE
by: Loyce!

Choose to work at a job you like/love.

feel your pain
by: Rose Raintree, Arlington Wa.

I am so sorry you are having this challenge, I noticed you mentioned prayer I do hope that as you walk this journey you will find peace and even joy in knowing your Heavenly Father is there with you.

I retired 3 years ago and my retirement has been nothing like I thought it would be, but after 3 years I am so grateful for my blessings and the things HE revealed in me during this time.

I am happier and more at peace than I have ever been, and it is not because my life or retirement has been an easy one but through this time I have realized HE is enough.

I am 71 I have had 4 major surgeries with total knees and total shoulders 10 years before I retired I have Type II diabetes in control I have learned to garden which I never had time for while working, I walk my little dog every day.

I thought about working but the world has changed so much that the stress of that is greater than living on my SS. I am blessed with my precious granddaughter that I have enjoyed for the past 3 years in ways I never could have if I had continued to work.

So like you said get up each day and focus on your blessings and I think you will see that the sadness and depression will cease and you will find that God is enough. God bless you