30+ Seniors Open Up About the Highs and the Lows of Retirement

After officially retiring, finding a place in society robs many people of their sense of identity. However, there are plenty of ways to experience the beauty of humanity and discover that you still matter. After all, it’s the little things that truly count.

In this person’s case, that could be anything from feeding the birds, caring for a pet, or showing kindness to everyone you meet. Retirement is a big deal, but every day afterward can be filled with small but significant moments if we choose them.

Many people seek solace in animal companions; retirement is the perfect time to adopt a pet. This senior confirms the importance of seeking salvation in another living being when feeling lonely or uninspired. If meeting people is a problem, an animal makes great company.

Retirees have all the time in the world to spend with their pets, which is why they make such good pet owners. A pet will happily join its owner for walks, listen to its owner speak, and make its owner smile when they’re having a bad day.

Remember that common saying, “Life works in mysterious ways”? It’s a sentiment that can be applied to the mixed feelings seniors experience when they retire. Suddenly, life changes, but that doesn’t mean it gets worse. Sometimes, it gets better than before.

For this person, giving up is the worst thing you can do when you struggle with retirement. However, if you keep going, you might one day change lives, including your own. Continuing to fight in spite of everything is a victory.

Nothing is as good for the soul as self-love, as this next senior points out. However, it can be tough to show gratitude when you don’t know what you’re supposed to be thankful for. That’s why it’s important to look after yourself first.

We have to admit that this person emphasizes four things: nutrition, exercise, community, and purpose. These are all essential for living a positive life. Being grateful for what you have prevents you from obsessing over what you’ve lost by retiring.

One of the most common pains that seniors know all too well is the devastating grief of losing a loved one. As people retire and enter their twilight years, life only gets lonelier as other special people also get older and pass away. This poster recounts the loss of their wife of 41 years.

Such a loss is tragic, especially after spending so much precious time together. Plenty of seniors find themselves suddenly alone after losing a spouse, which only isolates them more after they stop working.

Sometimes, the littlest things bring the most joy to our lives. One commenter recommends getting pen pals to write to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. And we think it’s a great idea for all retired seniors with more spare time.

Writing and receiving letters allows us to speak to people without needing to leave the house, which makes it the perfect pastime for seniors who may be less physically able. Soon, those pen pals will become true friends who want to show you they care.

Many people move for their jobs, but is there any reason to stay stuck in one place after retirement? This senior, who retired five years ago, thinks not! In fact, they moved 200 miles away to be closer to family, braving an entire new town. Though making a move can be daunting, it often works out for the better.

Retirees have access to a whole new community, with local stores, churches, attractions, and other places to explore. Senior years shouldn’t be filled with pressure and panic; they should be treasured.

Many people find solace in religion when they get older; it can be truly transformative. Religious awakenings offer a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh outlook on life. There are new things to learn and enjoy, especially with a welcoming community. One bed-bound retired senior recounts how becoming involved in ministry changed their life after a series of struggles.

Religion provides a sense of meaning that may have previously been dominated by work and other life commitments. After retiring, seniors can dedicate more time to their religions.

Though it’s a hard pill to swallow, sometimes, the only person who can save you from loneliness is you. This person points out how isolation is often self-inflicted, though many seniors struggle to find social opportunities and reasons to reach out after they retire.

However, it can be as easy as letting the important people in life know how much you’re struggling and that you want to maintain connections with them. The poster even suggests part-time work and volunteering as good suggestions for getting out and about.

Most people would kill for more spare time to dedicate to their hobbies and interests, but many seniors don’t take advantage of theirs. Retirement means no more 9-to-5 working, so plenty of time for other things. There are an array of activities waiting!

This senior offers many helpful suggestions, such as starting a new hobby, taking classes, embracing fitness, and exploring online communities. Once you’ve established social connections, it’s easy to stay in touch with like-minded people who want to involve you in life.

Unfortunately, everything in life requires some amount of effort. And while many people are happy to help retirees and the elderly, those groups must also put in the effort. One senior reveals the secret to a busy life: making the first move. If the phone rings, answer it. If a letter arrives, read it and reply.

Maintaining connections is a two-way street. And though this person recounts some instances where things didn’t work out, most people welcome good company and will be grateful for your time.

The point of retiring is to stop working, right? Wrong! Many seniors enjoy working, so once they retire from their full-time careers, they get part-time jobs to occupy their time with. For one retiree, that new job was at a small convenience store.

They point out that the best thing about getting another job is the opportunity to socialize. It’s easy to meet local people and befriend those you share common interests with. This can then lead to further socialization down the line after you’ve got to know people.

Most seniors struggle with the crushing feeling of no longer being needed. After retiring, they’re no longer needed in the workplace, and they usually have grown-up children, too. Life changes drastically when you no longer have those things to provide a purpose.

One poster, aged 62, expresses slight bitterness at no longer being in business or hosting events, but they also see the positives. With all that time freed up, it’s possible to set new goals and experience something different every day.

Many seniors sadly determine that their loneliness really doesn’t matter to society. However, one person refuses to let that stop them from living a wholesome, fulfilling life. At 68, they find purpose in their connections, particularly with their surprise new roommate!

While not all seniors will spend their retirements so boldly, connecting with people is still important to avoid being alone. Human contact is good for the mind and soul, so opening up can be the key to feeling like you matter again.

Many people find it difficult to adjust to retirement after spending their entire life working, so they often become isolated. For this commenter, retiring and turning 68 has only increased their isolation as they live 10 miles from the nearest town.

It’s painful to spend so much time alone after being around people for at least five days per week, even if you have a pet and access to the Internet. It’s also hard to schedule times to meet people when everybody else still seems to be busy.

It’s drummed into us throughout our lives that we’ll be lonely in our old age unless we get married and have children. However, one senior isn’t letting that stop them. They embrace independence at age 65, living alone and getting out as often as possible.

Granted, it’s easier to adjust to retirement when you’re used to spending more time alone, but it’s true that you can continue to have a fulfilling life. This senior recommends learning to love life in all areas, and we think that’s genius!

Who says that only young people can make new friends? Many retired seniors find their older years the perfect time to become more sociable. Plenty of caring people of all ages enjoy making others smile.

This poster implores other seniors not to give up on life or happiness because many people are also searching for new friends. It can be as simple as meeting somebody for a coffee and seeing where the day takes you.

Volunteering is something that many seniors recommend to others who are no longer working, and it seems to be one of the high points of retirement. It’s the perfect way to meet new people and fight loneliness while contributing to society.

This senior recommends easy volunteer opportunities, such as serving coffee at church gatherings, helping to organize a seniors club, and reading to children in schools. These provide a purpose and create a post-retirement routine that seniors can rely on to get them out of the house.

We sometimes stereotype older people as shy and closed off, but that isn’t always true. Many seniors, like this commenter, are aware that they must be forthcoming and extroverted to avoid becoming isolated from the rest of society.

It can be daunting, but making the first move to start a conversation can be all it takes to make a new friend. This person recommends taking responsibility for your own relationships and happiness in life, and we couldn’t agree more!

It’s universally accepted that youth is the best time of life and old age is the worst. However, as one senior points out, this mindset is not only toxic but incorrect. They recognize how all seniors have lived rich, exciting lives and can continue to do so.

Seniors are in the primes of their lives and don’t even know it. They can join clubs, find new hobbies, foster pets, volunteer with charities, and put their decades of knowledge and experience to good use. Life isn’t over after retirement; it’s often just beginning!

We should never lose sight of what really matters, but that’s easy to do when you spend most of your life at work. Retirement often provides clarity for many seniors who don’t want to spend their remaining years feeling lonely and miserable.

One retiree recommends starting slowly and eliminating negative things from your life, then moving on to doing things you’ll enjoy. By prioritizing what really matters, they’ve been able to stop wasting time and make the most of the future.

Loneliness is a curse for many seniors because they don’t know how to make themselves heard. One person takes a more negative outlook on life after retirement and fears being “looked through” because they’re no longer needed like they used to be.

However, they also recognize the need to speak up, or loneliness will triumph. We think the sentiment that you must “be a friend to get a friend” is one to remember, mainly because we’ll all one day be seniors, and nobody wants to be invisible.

If you’ve got good hobbies, you’ll never spend another moment stuck in your own head worrying. Sometimes, there are things we think we’ll hate until we actually give them a chance, and retirement is the ideal time to start experimenting.

One senior recommends various hobbies, with something to suit every personality. You could learn to dance, take an art class, join a book club, or become part of a church community. Once you find the right hobby, you’ll be set for life.

Society always talks about seniors’ mental health, but what do we do to combat it? One woman, aged 80, shines an important light on how society neglects people once they’re retired and no longer of use, which can have devastating effects.

She talks about living in a nursing home and suffering badly from depression. This is the sad reality of many seniors who have become detached from society as they get older and can no longer keep up. It’s crucial that we don’t forget this.

While nursing homes can often be isolated places, retirement villages are a good option for many seniors to consider after they stop working. One man highly recommends moving into one because there are so many opportunities to meet people in the same boat as you.

For this man and his wife, retirement has become a positive lifestyle full of social gatherings and activities. Retirement villages bring people together and are especially good for those who have lost their partners and would otherwise be completely alone.

We always want to start new projects, but when we’re working, there’s never enough time to complete them. Luckily, retirement is the perfect time to take on new projects and ensure you’re busy, which prevents wallowing. If you can involve family members, even better.

One person, who is 62 and close to retirement, enjoys completing DIY and home repair projects. Some tasks may sound mundane, like repairing broken windows or changing car tires, but it brings great satisfaction to see your hard work pay off.

Many seniors struggle with loneliness because they spend so much time indoors, but there are ways this time can be put to good use. If leaving the house is not an option due to mobility issues, there are still ways to fill your time effectively.

A disabled retiree recommends finding something that gets you out of bed in the morning, even if it’s as simple as reading a book or watching TV. Having something to occupy your mind keeps it busy and allows you to enjoy spending time indoors.

Staying positive can sometimes be the hardest thing to do, especially for retired seniors who feel like they no longer have a purpose. Even for introverts like this woman, looking on the bright side can be difficult when you’re lonely.

The key is finding things you love to occupy your time with. This woman cites her pets, hobbies, and familial relationships as things that keep her positive. Becoming grumpy and disillusioned with life only encourages loneliness, so positivity is essential.

Life isn’t over when you get old, no matter what people say. One senior implores others to grab life with both hands and take control of their futures. If there are things that you want to happen, you have to make them happen.

There are classes, groups, clubs, and communities looking for new members. Retirement provides plenty of free time to get out and meet people, even if it means making the first move. The future is what we make it, so make it good.

One of the worst realizations about aging is not having much time left, and this hits many people when they retire and their lives drastically change. Acknowledging that society sees your existence as irrelevant is hard but also strengthens you.

This senior tries to look on the bright side and appreciate all the great things they can do to enjoy themselves in later life. Being an expat and having less contact with family can be challenging, but they keep busy, which we know makes all the difference.

Many seniors have learned that if you don’t make life happen, it will pass you by. For this person, retirement pushed them to immediately start looking for ways to remain in touch with society, particularly volunteering with important organizations.

Unfortunately, waiting for things to happen only results in bitterness and isolation, so it’s important to seize each day. We lose the power to make changes only when we give up, and many seniors need to be reminded of this.

It’s sad but important to acknowledge how easy it can be to lose all hope when things get tough. We see our lives going a certain way, so it’s a shock when they turn out very differently. Retirement can send many people spiraling into crisis.

For one poster, finding a reason to keep going is difficult when everything seems pointless. Losing contact with family and friends is one of the hardest things many seniors go through, so bitterness is understandable. However, losing hope is the beginning of the end.

Despite the overwhelming pull of an existential crisis, it’s still possible to make it out to the other side and turn things around. One person, aged 31, is already looking at what retirement will be like in the future, and those negative feelings are relatable.

They recommend that seniors make their hearts sing and do things in their old age that make them happy and heal their past emotional wounds. After all, many people are in the same boat, so seniors only need to look for connections, and they’ll find them.

One of the best things about having a job is maintaining a routine that gives your life purpose. Many people struggle to adjust to not having a fixed routine after they retire. However, it’s possible to cultivate new routines centered around the new you.

This 67-year-old took the plunge and moved into a senior apartment. Their new routine includes a morning coffee hour, playing games with neighbors, attending potluck dinners, and going out together. This type of routine is fulfilling and keeps life on track.

It may be a hard pill to swallow, but suffering is often self-inflicted. This 69-year-old retiree can attest to that, encouraging others to abandon their negative thoughts and find beauty in their lives. And if none exists, it can be made.

Living in the moment is the only way to avoid paranoid thoughts about the past and future. The commenter recommends that other seniors embrace the present and find things to be grateful for. This promotes healthy interactions with society and reduces loneliness.

Being lonely is one of the worst things a person can be. After retiring and raising children to adulthood, how can seniors continue being near other people? Instead of remaining sad and isolated, the answer is to put themselves out there.

One senior, aged 76, is content with their situation because there are plenty of opportunities they could pursue should they become lonely. Gym classes, games clubs, volunteer jobs, and meetup groups all encourage people to be close to each other and form meaningful connections.

Boredom is one of the biggest problems retirees deal with because there is so much time to fill that was previously taken up by work and family commitments. At age 79, this poster understands better than most how easy it is to become lonely.

Many seniors give up easily when they think nothing will change for the better. It’s essential to proactively contact people and fill each day with tasks and activities. This senior has plans and the desire to make things happen.

From a young age, we’re taught that we must take charge of our own lives because nobody else will do it for us, and that’s something all seniors should know. One commenter delivers some home truths about feeling sorry for yourself when you could be making changes.

The onus is on everyone to join communities, reach out to people, encourage gatherings, and show interest in new things. And this senior clearly knows what they’re talking about because their gambles have paid off and alleviated their loneliness.

Making hard decisions is never fun, and it’s even worse when you’re older and retired and don’t know what your new life focus should be. Everybody is preoccupied with their own lives, so it can be difficult to reach out for help. One senior opens up about how hopeless they felt when they were younger and became depressed.

This experience taught them the importance of making hard decisions to improve their lives and considering what was best for them. All retirees should remember this.

Though it sounds harsh, we all have two options in life: be happy or be sad. This person takes it upon themselves to remind other seniors and retirees of this because, though it may feel like it sometimes, life isn’t over.

People seeking life’s highs and a sense of fulfillment are likelier to find them. Although putting aside sadness can be difficult, it can make a huge difference in how lonely you feel. Getting involved with life is always a positive thing.

People of all ages experience loneliness, but it’s particularly bad for the millions of seniors around the world. However, to receive compassion for your own situation, it’s necessary to make an effort to understand other people’s experiences, too.

One senior reminds others that plenty of people in the same boat must also reach out. Sometimes, being the one who initiates that contact is what it takes to overcome your own loneliness by helping somebody else beat theirs.

By the time most people retire, they’ve already developed long-term habits that are hard to break. However, these habits regularly become barriers that prevent seniors from opening up to others because they dislike change, though this doesn’t need to be the case.

One 72-year-old woman stresses the importance of being happy with your habits because if you aren’t, you’ll be miserable and continue to isolate yourself. Being content spending time alone is necessary because there will always be times when you can’t be around others.

Human beings are naturally self-centered, which can make us short-sighted. One senior looks back on their life and recognizes the importance of empathizing with others because they’re often going through the same thing. Retirement exposes the cracks in everybody’s so-called “perfect” lives.

There are self-help groups and other forms of therapy that make it easier to open up emotionally. This facilitates social and personal connections, helping seniors fight loneliness as a collective group. After all, it’s something they can all relate to experiencing.

Unfortunately, not everybody has such luck fighting loneliness. Despite being only 38 years old, this person finds common ground with all the seniors and retirees struggling to adjust to their new lives. Many feel like nobody cares about what they’re going through.

However, this commenter promises that there is hope because people do care. Being lonely is heart-wrenching and a surprisingly universal feeling, so seniors shouldn’t give up. There are always people searching for human connections who will help to alleviate that loneliness.

If you can’t live your best life after you’ve retired and have all the time in the world to enjoy, when can you? Loneliness creeps in when you stop enjoying yourself and start to feel like the world is ending, but it can be fought!

As this senior eloquently articulates, the only way to escape loneliness is to keep living and pushing through the hard times. It’s okay to open up to others and put yourself out there because the alternative is to remain alone, and that’s not good for anyone.