Yes, this can be what a lot of retirees look for. However, few people truly attain that fully. Regardless of how planned your retirement may be, the physical change of status or habit of your daily life does pose challenges. The reality sometimes can be different from how you had imagined it. Therefore often times, a stress sets in without you consciously knowing it.

Some may find the hours feel longer than they anticipated a day. They may gradually feel bored about the lack of activities to kill time. There will be an obvious shrink in the friendship circle, eroding one’s sense of importance, or developing thoughts of uselessness. If you are being forced to retire, the sudden drop in recognition and status will take some time to digest. Anxiety and depression are common in this group.

Some retirees feel lost in direction of the next perhaps 20-30 years, desperate or eager to seek a meaningful second life. Some may begin to divert their thoughts to worrying about health and benefits and resources. Above all, most will simply experience communication breakdown with family as their time spent together to expand.

As our life circle sometimes decreases with age, and our ability or energy to digest issues lowered, stress at this stage can be double harmful. Whichever group you belong to, it is important you look after your psychological health. A mature counsellor will be helpful to you at this juncture.