The Emotional Shock of Retirement

Since my last event, I've been feeling kind of out of it. Not depressed but unsatisfied. I googled what I'm going through and the very first thing that came up was Web MD and "the emotional shock of retirement".

No longer do you reap the financial rewards and achievements that a job provides. The end of your daily routine can make you feel lost. "You go into something akin to withdrawal, because there's no way to replicate your working life in retirement," says Delamontagne. "It feels like you're in a void

That sums up exactly how I feel. I've worked so hard since a young age to get to were I am today and I felt so free and accomplished after leaving my permanent job but now that it has been over a year, that excitement has dissipated and I now feel empty.

For 26 years of my life, my work has been my identity and my life. Working 12+ hours a day, 6-7 days a week didn't bother me because I enjoyed work, I enjoyed a challenge. It's a weird feeling waking up every morning with little purpose in life. KT is super independent and doesn't need me for much, the kids are at an age where they can take care of themselves for most things. I cook them food and work on their homework but all the other little things they can manage on their own.

It seems I can't enjoy retirement like I thought I would, I may be better off going back to work but then again, I really have difficulty working for other people now. I like being my own boss, to be continued I guess.....