Change is difficult but inevitable in life. Even if you have planned your retirement well, the first year could be hard as you adjust to a new retired life. While retirement heralds a fresh start to your life, the transition could be effortless emotionally and physically if you have planned it properly. This is the phase when you may face both unease and joy in anticipation of what life may hold in store. You may also ponder the lost opportunities or how well you could have prepared for retirement. Here’s how to handle these 5 Challenges To Deal With As You Settle Into Retirement

Financial Planning Continues: You may be wrong if you think retirement means being free from responsibilities. Financial planning continues even after retirement. During the active work life, savings and investments receive greater attention. After retirement, the attention tilts towards keeping expenses at a minimum. Hence, it would help to plan your daily or monthly costs or unexpected expenditures, such as medical bills, which may increase with age.

Adjusting To The Routine: Adjusting to a new routine may be harder. The transaction to a retired life requires preparation both mentally and physically. It can be stressful if you haven’t done that homework already. For instance, you may have spent most of the day in the office in your active work life. This changes abruptly after retirement, as you may find yourself most of the time at home. Some people cannot cope with this change easily, leading to various mental and health issues. You may plan for a vacation to put you at ease in the initial months of retirement. So this should be part of your financial planning.

Lack Of Purpose: The lack of purpose after retirement could be painful. So besides financial planning, think of a goal you want to achieve or live for, or else you may feel at a loss. Although you may have fulfilled all your financial responsibilities towards your family, a lack of purpose may create a void. So, think of a goal where you can use your time after retirement.

Identity Crisis: You may have had an identity during your active work life, which could be your designation or role in the organisation. Letting go of this identity, which you had embraced for decades, could be challenging after retirement. An identity crisis may harm your physical and mental well-being after retirement. So, it is better to think about yourself more than your work and try to spend time with people who know you beyond your work life.

Social Void: Relationship equations change after retirement as some acquaintances could still be working and not have enough time for you. Sometimes, people become habitual to teamwork, interactions, and camaraderie. Retirement can change this. It takes time to adjust to the new reality. Therefore, you can make new friends who have time for you or plan community work or join hobby classes.

Although life changes after retirement, a clear purpose and a sound financial backup can help minimise these troubles and adjust faster to the new way of life.