Why Retirement Feels Harder Than Expected: The Problem with Too Much Freedom
Many people believe that retirement gives freedom and that freedom will make life easy. But it’s not that simple. So why is it that too much freedom can make retirement harder than expected?
This may sound surprising, but it’s a very common experience, especially after the honeymoon period is over. How can that be? Well in retirement, as in life generally, decisions need to be made. But now it feels different.
In a previous blog we discussed the strangeness of decision making in retirement:
https://www.64plus.com.au/blog/2026/3/4/making-decisions-about-your-retirement
Let’s return to the issue of freedom in retirement. After you leave your work life three realisations come to you:
· You have lost a structure which for most people was Monday to Friday 9 to 5.
· There are no external deadlines any more
· Choice offers a bizarre paradox: too much choice can lead to decision paralysis (think of the selection of jams and chocolates at the supermarket)
What is to be done? Simple: find your meaning and purpose in retirement and you will quickly find a suite of activities that:
· Gives a structure and routine that pleases you
· Shows the usefulness of deadlines in retired life (but not too many)
· Choices gets limited
Now the path to finding your meaning and purpose is not simple to find, but there is help.
If these ideas resonate you may want to explore them in a conversation:
https://www.64plus.com.au/contact
This blog is part of a series on decision making in retirement. The next instalment is at:
Dr Jon Glass Retirement Specialist and Coach.