A Cycle of Retirement No One Talks About

LJW
Jul 16
3 min read

The Bounce Back

I've been retired for five years. What I expected to be a joyful, life changing transition turned out to be something far more complex. My retirement began at the start of the COVID 19 pandemic. In an instant, the world shut down. People were scared and unsure of what the future held. I had a Zoom call for my retirement party, as all workers were sent home from the office. My bosses were so consumed with navigating the chaos, they forgot to wish me farewell.

The first two years of retirement were difficult. I was isolated as well as disconnected from the identity, structure, and purpose work had given me. I began to realize how deeply my sense of self had been tied to my job title. Who was I without work? What was my purpose without a calendar full of meetings, deadlines, and expectations?

Eventually things began to shift. As the world reopened I started to rediscover my joy. I spent more time with family, traveling, and checking off adventures from my fun list. Life felt full and free. Then suddenly, out of the blue, something would trigger an off day, or an off week or even an off month. It was a health issue, a family situation, or just a very quiet calendar. I'd feel unproductive, bored, and aimless again. I'd ask myself, "now what?"

What is the Bounce Back?

This emotional ebb and flow is something I never expected. I call it the bounce back...a rarely discussed part of retired life. I thought that once I adjusted to retirement it would be smooth sailing from there. But I now know retirement has its own rhythm. Sometimes, even after years of adjusting, you can find yourself right back in a moment of wondering if what you're doing is of value. You're not doing it wrong. You're in a real, very normal cycle.

Shift Happens

Retirement is not a one time emotional transition. It's an ongoing series of shifts of identity, energy, routines and values. Purpose in retirement is fluid, just like your days. Some days feel meaningful and productive. Others will be quiet, slow, or uncertain. This is the normal part of the bounce back. It's not wrong or broken, but it's in motion and will shift again.

A Flexible Sense of Purpose

When I worked in the corporate world, I had a job title, a description, and external structure. Now, my time is my own, which is both a blessing and a challenge. I'm learning to let my purpose evolve with my energy, my health, and seasons of life. I can take a day (or week) off of doing stuff without guilt. I can start again, refreshed and focused when the moment feels right.

Learning to Bounce Back

This is the rhythm of retired life. Some days I plant flowers and sit back with a cup of coffee to watch them grow. Other days, through my part time work, I get to make a meaningful difference in someone's life. Both kinds of days matter. Fulfillment in retirement doesn't come from constant motion. It comes from learning to dance with the rhythm even when the music pauses.

If you find yourself in a bounce back moment, don't worry. You're not starting over. You're not failing. You're in a new curve of the road, and soon you'll find yourself stepping forward with fresh purpose again, quicker than expected. The new bounce will be forward, not back.