“This really was the start of a new chapter of my life”

 Retirement is a major life milestone. And just like starting school, or your first proper job, or becoming a parent, it takes time to adjust. There are emotional highs and lows as well as practical concerns.

Sound complicated? Don’t worry - we’ve broken it down into 5 stages. Read on to find out how to get from pre-planning to living the retirement life you want.

STAGE 1: 

PRE-RETIREMENT

For most people this will be about 5 to 10 years before you retire. This is when your focus will probably shift from moving up in your career to thinking about what you’ll need financially in retirement.

Financial planning is important, but don’t forget to think about it emotionally too. This is the time to think about what you really want from retirement - what will make you happy and fulfilled. Where will you live? Will you downsize? Do you want to travel?

It’s an exciting stage, but it’s easy to feel anxious too. Spending time on financial and emotional planning will help manage this and make the transition into retirement much easier.

STAGE 2:

HONEYMOON PHASE

The day has finally arrived! FREEDOM. You’ll probably feel excitement and relief - you’re free from all the stress of working life, and your time is your own to spend as you please. These feelings often last for one or two years, but can last for much longer, depending on what you’ve chosen to do.

For many people this time is all about travelling, reconnecting with friends and family, indulging their hobbies and passions…everything they haven’t had time for until now.

STAGE 3:

DISENCHANTMENT

“I was beginning to become isolated and finding it a little bit more difficult to be in groups.”

 Once the honeymoon phase ends and the emotional high wears off, many people start to feel disappointed and dissatisfied with their lives. There’s such a big build up to retirement that once you’ve settled into it, it’s easy to feel like it’s not as exciting as it looked. Often people start to feel lonely, bored, and like they’ve lost their sense of purpose.

STAGE 4: 

FINDING YOURSELF

Just like any other stage of life, you eventually begin to adapt to your new circumstances and navigate your new life. This is the hardest part of retirement, as the process of re-finding your purpose and establishing who you are takes time and lots of conscious effort. Even though it can be tricky, this is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable stages.

This is the time to try new things, find new hobbies and re-find your purpose in life. Without a full-time job and no children to care for it can be hard to find a purpose. But it is crucial to find something that reignites your spark, this could be pursuing a passion, volunteering, looking after your grandchildren or just adding fun, interesting activities to your daily routine. 

STAGE 5:

FULFILMENT

“You realise very quickly that age is just a number.”

And…relax. This is the stage of retirement where you’re truly happy with your new life. You’re settled into a new routine, doing things you love and that make you feel fulfilled. You’ve found a new sense of purpose and rediscovered your identity. Congratulations!

Make your move effortless with our Part Exchange Service. We'll buy your house and get you settled within four weeks* – no estate agency fees, chains, or hassle. Enjoy a guaranteed cash offer based on market value and start your new chapter, stress-free.

Our retirement villages offer the perfect balance of comfort and convenience, with outstanding facilities to make life more enjoyable – just ask residents, Geri and Chris. Choose your ideal location and let us handle the rest. 

What are you waiting for? Book your viewing today.

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