Psychologists Recommend This Key Step for Happier Retirement: Start Planning Early
- Prioritize non-work activities before retirement to ensure a smoother transition and more fulfilling golden years.
So often, we think of retirement as the start of a new and exciting chapter in our lives. After all, it's the first time that many of us are free to pursue our hobbies, and it gives many people the opportunity to try new things and to travel.
However, not all retirees find joy in their golden years. In fact, some people find themselves disappointed by how they feel after they punch the clock for the last time. Fortunately, psychologists say there's one critical step retirees can take before leaving the workforce that will ensure a more enjoyable retirement . Keep reading to find out what that thing is, and what you need to do to make sure your golden years are the happiest of your life.
Start Prioritizing Non-Work Activities
While you may be focused on getting everything tied up at work so that you can leave without having any loose ends or unfinished projects, Augusto Blanco, a Clinical Psychologist at Man Helping Men , says that it's important to start shifting your focus to non-work activities ahead of your retirement.
"That way you start attaching yourself to environments that will persist going into retirement," Blanco says. "If most of your eggs are in the 'work' basket, you'll feel like most of your world disappeared afterward (which happens a lot, regretfully)." To combat that, start thinking about how you'd like to spend your time outside the office, giving yourself some insight into the types of activities you'll invest in once you've retired.
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Find a Sense of Purpose
Looking to fill your retirement with meaning? That starts with finding a sense of purpose, according to Jacob Brown , Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. "The best thing a person can do before retiring is not to find a hobby, but to find a sense of purpose and meaning, Brown says, saying that retirees shouldn't be looking for a way to spend their time, but instead searching for an activity that will give them a sense of "joy and aliveness."
"When you retire, all the traditional roles, goals, and activities that defined who you are undergo profound change," he continues, noting that things like work, health, physical, and cognitive abilities all shift.
"Finding a true sense of purpose requires looking inward to understand who we are, rather than looking outward for new distractions," Brown says. "Purpose comes from understanding ourselves, what really drives us, and what we truly value. Once we accept and understand that, the path toward meaning becomes clear."
Work on Connecting With Your Friends, Family, and Community
After spending decades working 40 hours a week with the same people, many retirees discover that they feel lonely after retirement. To avoid that, Dr. Clint Salo, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Medical Director of The Grove Recovery Community , says that people should start nurturing their relationships before they retire.
"Many people underestimate how much work provides beyond a paycheck," he says. "It offers structure, identity, daily social interaction, a sense of contribution, and meaningful relationships."
When retirement arrives, Dr. Salo says those benefits can quickly disappear. "Without a plan to replace them, retirees may experience loneliness, boredom, or even depression ."
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Start Planning a Year Before You Plan to Retire
If you know when you expect to retire, Dr. Vinay Saranga, a Geriatric Psychiatrist at Saranga Comprehensive Psychiatry, says you shouldn't wait until you're retired to start coming up with your sense of purpose.
"At least six months to one year before that, take a serious look at your life and ask things like, ' Where do I want to live? What will I do to occupy my time? Any hobbies I can pursue or any place I can volunteer to keep me emotionally connected," he says, adding that he sees many people struggle with retirement because they wait to plan this aspect of their future until they are actually in it.
"Society plays up retirement as this big goal that everyone is striving for, and it can be a great time in one's life when approached the right way," he continues. "But again, I see far too many times where people don't plan ahead, and they think that all this free time will automatically equate to happiness . But as the saying goes, too much of a good thing....Think about less of what you're retiring from and more about what you're retiring to ."
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
This story was originally published by Parade on Jun 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
