A surprise in the first year of retirement

Many people are surprised to find that retirement can feel unsettling, confusing, or even slightly empty in the first year. Even though you may feel everything is in place, retirement can still challenge.

Retirement: you won’t know what it is like until you get there.

I’ve been using that line ever since I started my retirement coaching business, 64PLUS, 12 years ago—and it still rings true.

Here are three strange and unexpected things that surprised me when I retired:

1. Retired life swings between busy and not busy.
Some days are full. Others feel almost timeless.
Work used to be relentlessly busy; retirement creates space—to think, reflect, and notice things about yourself, your family, and your life that you may have rushed past before.

2. Getting better no longer needs a goal.
At work, goals mattered. They motivated us—and impressed the boss.
In retirement? Improvement can simply be about enjoyment.
Learning a language, for example, doesn’t require mastery—just curiosity, immersion, and fun.

3. Your working friends are still… working.
Monday to Friday, they’re busy—just as I was when I worked.
If it’s hard to catch up, don’t take it personally.
Be creative about when and how to connect.

I’m curious:

Do any of these three things surprise you? Do any resonate with you?

If so….

Please reach out at https://www.64plus.com.au/contact and let’s have a chat.

Jon Glass Retirement Specialist