Retirement is an exciting and sometimes intimidating time in a person's life.

The question is … are you running away from something or towards something? Sometimes we make long-term decisions to get through short-term discomfort, and for those of us of a certain age, that frequently means starting to muse about retiring.

Are you in love with the romance of retirement, or have you taken the time to prepare emotionally for this significant life change?

It is crucial to be prepared emotionally, as well as financially, for the transition. In this session, we will explore what to consider before starting conversations about retirement with your employer; what reactions you may need to be prepared for; how your work and status in the workplace may be impacted from the initial discussions about retirement; and how to deal with the emotional rollercoaster of this life transition.

Retirement can be an intense, exciting period of life, but it can also be a difficult transition. Therefore, it is essential to be intentional about the emotional preparation for retirement.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Acknowledge your feelings of apprehension and excitement: Retirement can be an anxious and overwhelming experience. Therefore, taking the time to recognize and process the positive and negative emotions that come with this transition is vital.

2. Set realistic expectations: Retirement is a significant life change, and it is important to set realistic expectations for yourself. Learn to research the potential financial and lifestyle changes that come with retirement so that you can plan accordingly.

3. Rediscover your passions and interests: Retirement can provide a chance to reignite interests and hobbies that may have been neglected in the past. Reflect on what you’ve always wanted to pursue, and make a plan to do it.

4. Understand the importance of developing new relationships: Retirement can be a great time to develop new relationships and explore new communities. Consider such things as joining a local club or volunteer organization to meet new people and make new friends.

5. Prioritize your well-being: Retirement can leave you with a lot of free time, so it is important to practice self-care and ensure that you take care of yourself both physically and mentally.

6. Discover the significance of having a sense of purpose during retirement and ways to find it.

7. Identify resources for further advice and support.