Retirement is a significant life event. One that can inspire feelings of delight or dread. Often a mixture of both. It is an event we work and plan for particularly around our financial decisions. But it may not be an easy transition as my own personal experience demonstrates. 

I’ve coached a number of clients who were seeking support as they started to consider their retirement. Coaching provided a safe space to explore their options without judgement, to test out their values and beliefs as to what a good retirement looked like and for them to move forward in a sustainable, committed way. 

Many embraced part time work as a stepping stone, others looked at self employment after a lifetime of being employed whilst some were excited to pursue their other passions. It is so important, I believe, to view retirement as a beginning not an end.

My own experience was not good. Not that I hadn’t planned it. I had a clear focus on an encore career either as a professional coach or a personal trainer. I had qualified as both in the years leading up to my retirement. I’d leave a career that had lasted over 40 years with a huge flourish. Satisfied that my commitment had left a lasting legacy. But it was not to be.

I handed in my notice three months into the pandemic. I hated the virtual life. At the same time I loved the extra time I had without the daily commute. I taught myself how to crochet, I read books, I sat in the garden drinking coffee. 

In June 2020 we were starting to emerge from what would be the first lockdown. The restrictions started to lift. We were encouraged to ‘eat out to help out’. Plans were being put in place to celebrate my retirement. But by the time my leaving date came we were back in a world of tiers and lockdowns. And it didn’t stop raining. October 2020 being the wettest October since 1797.

Those first few months were not good. 

I spoke to friends that had retired in happier times. Some had embraced it whilst others had struggled. I was clearly in the second camp. But out of the bleakness a friend of a friend offered to coach me. Four months into retirement I had my first coaching session.

Over the following weeks I started to regain some of the passion and purpose that I had anticipated for my retirement. I was able to celebrate my achievements and my legacy in a way that was very personal to me. I started to list all my achievements. Everything that I felt had added meaning to my life and to others. It made me think that if I died tomorrow I’d had a good life. This may sound a little morbid but it is so easy to be sucked into feeling that life is yet to happen. 

And the great thing is that I’m still adding to it. Yesterday I remembered that many years ago I was on ‘Kilroy’, a popular daytime talk show that ran from 1986 to 2004. And I spoke. Something about the erosion of terms and conditions in the NHS. 

Through coaching I discovered my love for Dr Seuss. My favourite self development book is now ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go’. It is a blueprint for my life.

Through coaching I was able to leave the past behind with pride and celebration, start planning for the future and more importantly take delight in the present. 

I never anticipated that my transition into retirement would be so difficult. But we were living through bleak, unprecedented times. I gave in my notice full of hope as the days got longer and lighter. That hope had taken a severe bashing by the time I retired. But I’m mindful that I may have struggled in more normal times. Retirement is a life transition. I’ve coached many clients to retire with passion. I’m grateful that my coach helped me find mine.