Getting ready for the reality of retirement

You've likely spent most of your adult life saving up to enjoy a comfortable retirement. In the year before you retire, however, it's important to start thinking about how your way of life will change. Not having to go to an office or think about work can be a tough habit to break after 40 years of a working routine. The CSi Property Group considers ways that soon-to-be retirees can prepare for the lifestyle change ahead.

Plan your days

One of the biggest and starkest differences you will notice about your life once you retire is the vast amount of free time that you have. While this may seem like upcoming bliss during a busy day at work, it can be quite disconcerting to suddenly have no goals or deadlines to worry about and no set structure for your days. The way to overcome this is to set new goals and to plan in advance how you will spend your days once you've received your last paycheque.

Maybe this means doing volunteer work or becoming a consultant in the industry that you've worked in. For others, it could involve taking up a new hobby. The sky's the limit when it comes to the type of hobbies you could get involved in. Whether it's an outdoor activity like hiking or fishing or an indoor hobby like crafting or scrapbooking - the important thing is that your days have purpose and structure.

Expect to experience a range of emotions

As the reality of retirement sets in, people report feeling an array of emotions that include loneliness, boredom and disillusionment. Being prepared for these emotions goes a long way toward having them not overwhelm you. Taking one day at a time, speaking to other people who have recently retired and keeping yourself busy can all help to mitigate these emotions. Don't hesitate to speak to a psychologist or life coach if you are struggling with the realities of retirement.

Open your mind to new friends and new activities

The start of your retirement is an opportunity to recreate your life, pursue your passions and reap the rewards of your years of hard work. You should view your retirement not as the end of an era, but as the beginning of your opportunity to be free and to have time to do all those things you've never had time for before. You now have the freedom to take a two-month road trip around the country if you'd like to or take that overseas trip you've always dreamed of. Other ideas include getting involved in charity work or volunteering your time to help those less fortunate than yourself.

Find the right home

Possibly the most important aspect of preparing for your retirement is finding the right place to live. You need a home that's small enough to maintain, but big enough to accommodate the way of life you plan to lead. It's important to consider your future needs and look for a home where you will be taken care of in the future if you should become less mobile. Many retirement homes in Gauteng provide opportunities for their residents to live vibrant and active lives, with every activity from golf and croquet to movie nights, trivia contests and more.

The team from the CSi Property Group has helped many retirees adjust to their new way of life by ensuring that their home meets their needs. We have an array of retirement properties for sale and to rent in various parts of Gauteng. Contact us today and let's get your retirement off to the best possible start.