This week’s theme on the Retirement Quick Tips Podcast is: 10 Things You Must Do Before Retirement - Part 2

Today, I’m talking about structuring Your Time To Avoid Boredom. 

Usually after the first few months or once you’ve completed all those projects you’ve put off for years because you were always working, research shows that many retirees become bored, which can lead to anxiety and depression. 

There are also the social contacts at work that need to be replaced by spending time with friends and family so you don’t feel isolated and lonely. 

In fact, loneliness is a big problem for Americans. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration has declared a “loneliness epidemic,” specifically citing the increasing phenomena of “no participation in social groups, fewer friends, and strained relationships” as the culprits.

We all know about the loneliness and dramatic increases in depression and anxiety caused by the social isolation during the pandemic. But even prior to Covid in 2018, one survey found that 46 percent of Americans felt alone, and 43 percent of Americans felt that their relationships were not meaningful.

Author, Arthur Brooks states: “Numerous studies have shown that one of the great markers for happiness among people at midlife and beyond is people who can rattle off the names of a few authentic, close friends. It is not necessary that they be numerous to achieve happiness, and, in fact, people tend to get more selective about their friends as they age and reduce the number of true intimates.”

The point is that it’s important to invest in relationships and new hobbies now, before you enter your retirement years. What hobbies have you neglected, or what new hobbies would you like to try? Try them now, while you’re still working. That way, you’ll be able to meet new friends and people who share your interests. 

Investing the time into existing friendships and spending more time with your family now is crucial…[story of making a list - helping me invest in spending time with the people I care about most]. 

Another important way to structure your time is to get more involved in your church or charities you’re passionate about, and spend more time volunteering. 

A few years ago, we had a psychologist come and give a talk to our clients about retirement. One of the things she talked about was making sure that ½ of your time is structured in retirement. 

As someone with small kids, I’ve come to appreciate the structure and predictability of a routine and a rhythm to life. I resisted it for several years, but as a way to maintain my sanity as a parent of 4 small children, I’ve created structure and routines so my kids know what to expect, and they feel secure in not wandering aimlessly from day to day and week to week. The same structure and routine that benefits little kids is useful for retirees too, since it keeps you active, and ensures that you won’t fill all of your days with bingewatching Netflix or YouTube, all of which will help keep boredom, anxiety, and depression at bay. 

That’s it for today. Thanks for listening! My name is Ashley Micciche and this is the Retirement Quick Tips podcast.  

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Tags: retirement, investing, money, finance, financial planning, retirement planning, saving money, personal finance