As a retirement property specialist in Gauteng, we spend a lot of time talking to people who are about to retire and people who have recently bought or rented retirement properties. The result is that we hear the concerns and questions that people have around retirement – and the aspects of their new lives that take retirees by surprise. The CSi Property Group has put together this list of retirement’s biggest surprises to make your journey into retirement as smooth as possible.
Surprise 1: The loss of structure hits harder than expected
When you retire, you go from having a calendar full of meetings and deadlines to…nothing. At first, it feels like freedom. But as the reality sinks in and you realise that this is your “new normal”, it can start to feel like you’re drifting and that there’s no clear reason to get up at a specific time or maintain any kind of routine.
The best way to overcome this is to replace those structures quickly. Depending on what field your career was in, you may be able to work part-time in a consulting capacity. If that’s not a good option for you, consider what hobbies you can get involved in or what volunteer work you could do.
Surprise 2: Your sense of identity seems less secure
When you first meet someone, one of the first questions they’re likely to answer is “what do you do?”. When you were working, that question was easy to answer, but when you retire, the question you need to ask yourself shifts. Instead of “What do I do?”, you need to ask yourself “What do I want to do now?”.
For years, your identity has been wrapped up in your career. Now that you’re retired, you have an opportunity to forge a new identity, and realising this upfront helps it to feel more like an opportunity and less like a challenge.
Surprise 3: Relationships change – sometimes uncomfortably
If you retire at the same time as your partner, you’ll suddenly find yourself spending far more time together than ever before. At the same time, you might notice friendships with former colleagues starting to fade now that you don’t see them every day anymore. As you ease into retirement, you’ll need to be more intentional about your friendships.
Of course, if you have relocated into one of Gauteng’s well-loved retirement villages, there will be plenty of opportunities to make new friends who are perhaps making the same transition as you are. Find out about the social activities on offer in your retirement village, take advantage of the opportunities to spend time outdoors and get involved in every way possible.
Surprise 4: You don’t automatically feel relaxed
With the pressure of work, deadlines, meetings and budgets behind you, it’s natural to think that retirement means constant peace. However, after retirement, you may find that financial worries creep in as you adjust to spending money without earning money. Having too much time on your hands can actually create anxiety, which is why it’s a great idea to keep busy.
Surprise 5: Money feels different to how it did before
During your working years, money often feels like something to earn, grow and measure progress by. In retirement, on the other hand, it becomes a resource to manage, stretch and use with intention. Spending can feel strangely emotional and even well-prepared retirees can feel a heightened awareness of every decision, balancing the desire to enjoy life with the need for long-term security.
Easing into retirement can be challenging, but it’s also an adventure, especially if you have found your ideal retirement home. Get in touch with the CSi Property Group if you’re looking to buy or rent a retirement property in Gauteng.
