You’re Retired – Now What? Part 2: Your Relationships In Retirement

One aspect of retirement many people may overlook is the change it can bring to your relationships. For many years, work takes up much of your time, which is now suddenly free in retirement to spend however you like. Your relationships with loved ones are important and will likely be a large focus in retirement, as you’ll probably be seeing them a lot more. Here are a few ways your relationships could change and how to maintain them.

Your Spouse/Partner

One of the relationships that could change the most is the one you have with your spouse or partner. If both you and your spouse are retired, spending so much extra time together could take some getting used to. You’ll likely learn new things about one another and may even struggle to find things to talk about. Look at this time as a new and exciting phase of your relationship. You can cook, go for walks, or even travel the world together. If you retire before your spouse, you can lean on other relationships to fill your time. You can meet with friends, join a group, or enjoy the alone time. While it may be an adjustment, cherish the extra time with your spouse and support one another through this transition.

Your Family

One of the best things about retirement is the extra time you get to spend with family. If you have children or grandchildren that live out of town, you can now travel to see them more. Your relationship with your children may even change as they become adults and parents themselves, which may be another adjustment to get used to. If you have aging parents, you can also take this time to help take care of them. You can plan activities with the grandkids or even connect with a distant family member. Whatever you do, take advantage of the extra family time.

Your Friends

Friendships can take on a whole new role in your retirement life. Work and family can take time away from friendships, but now you can make more time for the friends you haven’t gotten to see as much throughout the years and even make new friends. Don’t forget to keep in touch with former coworkers. You can start a book club, plan a trip, or just schedule a FaceTime call. Find people who can relate to what you’re going through and support you in the process. Make your friendships even stronger in retirement.

Prioritizing relationships can be a challenge, but strong relationships are an important component of health and happiness. We need people and support, especially in retirement. Examine the relationships with your spouse/partner, your family, and your friends to determine how you can make the most of them in this phase of life. The possibilities are endless, so enjoy this time with the ones you love.

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