Retirement is a big life change, and it can be a hard one for many of us, especially if we’ve been working for most of our lives. Even though retirement is something many of us look forward to it is important to consider the not so wonderful sides of retirement and make sure you’re emotionally prepared for the change.

Changes you may face

Without realising, you may be underestimating the benefits of the working world, the routine and structure, daily social contact, a reason to get up in the morning and the main being that our time is accounted for. When we think of retirement it can be easy to just think about no longer having to wake up early, or working weekends or evenings, more time to do what you want, being able to go on holiday whenever you like, but it is important to consider all the other things that retirement brings like large amounts of time to fill, lack of routine and less social interaction.

Don’t get us wrong, retirement is great, but when it’s done right and one of the important factors to having a happy, fun and healthy retirement is making sure you are emotionally prepared for it. 

What to consider in retirement?

When we retire, many of us underestimate just how much there is to consider so it’s a great idea to get a head start in thinking about what you want your retirement to look like. Many of us start planning financially for retirement the second we embark on our first job through pension schemes. We dream about moving to different parts of the country, maybe even abroad and living in your dream house wherever it may be. What a lot of us neglect to plan for is how you will spend your free time. Once the big decisions are out the way, take some time to think about what you want to achieve and what kind of life you want to live daily and how you want to spend your time in retirement.

Our top tips on how to plan for a happy and healthy retirement

1. Have a good routine in place, start and end your day with things you love to do.
2. Plan what you want to do with your time, whether that’s finding hobbies or activities that you enjoy or spending your time with family and friends or maybe even volunteering.
3. Find friends that are in the same stage of life as you – finding friends that are also retired means that you’ll have people to spend your days with or maybe even enjoy hobbies together. Attending private classes like exercise classes or art classes that you enjoy is a great way to meet likeminded people.
4. Plan regular day trips, weekend breaks and holidays, these are a great way to mix up your day-to-day routine and add something different into your life.
5. Find your retirement purpose, many of us feel like we lose our sense of purpose when we leave our jobs, so finding your purpose can help you lead a happier retirement. Maybe it’s to look after your grandchildren, to fully enjoy yourself and tick off the things on your bucket list, to travel the world or maybe just to enjoy a slower pace of life.

Read our blog on what to do in retirement and how to make it enjoyable.

Consider whether moving to a retirement village can help

In recent years, more and more people are choosing to move into retirement villages and for a good reason. Retirement villages are a great choice for many in retirement, they offer a sense of community that many people feel we lack as a country these days compared to a previous time. There has a range of different facilities for residents to use, including gyms, pools, libraries, cinema rooms and restaurants, as well as lots of activities on offer. They also offer more safety and security, which helps you feel more at ease at home and allows you to ‘lock up and leave’ when you want to travel. In other words, they are a great way to make new friends, try new things, and really enjoy retirement. 

Read our blog on the role of retirement villages in improving health and wellbeing in retirement.

How we can help

Here at Inspired Villages, we have many different types of properties all over the UK, from Exeter to Warwick. If you’re looking to move and considering a retirement village, we can help you find the perfect property whether you choose to downsize or not. 

If you’d like to find out more about us and the benefits and attractions of renting or buying a home in an Inspired village, get in touch today or read our blog on the benefits of living in a retirement village.