Why friendship at work is hard to replace in Retirement part 2: or why we don’t all live in the same time zone.

In a previous article (see link below) we wrote that: you can leave work, but it can be hard to leave behind the network of social connections that work provided. Many people cross the bridge into retirement with a vague sense that something is missing. Not dramatic. Just… an itch they can’t quite locate.

Then it becomes clear: Work gave social connection, without you having to think about it.

Today I was reminded of this when I visited a dear friend who owns a café. We often enjoy good conversations between customers. That's always been our unspoken arrangement.

Today, however, she was exceptionally busy. As I sat there, it occurred to me that we no longer live in the same time zone. She works, whereas I am almost fully retired (I still work part-time as a retirement coach).

One of the hidden errors of retirement is assuming that everyone else's timetable has changed as well. It hasn't. Many of your friends are still working and so are in a different “time zone”.

Conclusion

Perhaps one of the skills of retirement is learning how to maintain friendships across different time zones. Some friends still live by the rhythm of work. Others don't. Successful retirement often means finding ways to bridge that difference.

Do most of your friends still work? If so, how have you adapted your friendships to different time zones? You’re welcome to start a conversation about this topic here:
https://www.64plus.com.au/contact

Link: https://www.64plus.com.au/blog/2026/7/1/why-friendship-at-work-is-hard-to-replace-in-retirement

Dr Jon Glass
Retirement Specialist and Retirement Coach