You finally have more time – so why does it feel harder to get things done? Our expert explains how to bring structure, purpose and freedom to your days.
For years, retirement can feel like the answer to everything. No alarm clocks, no commute, no endless meetings. More time for hobbies, family, travel and all those jobs you’ve been putting off.
Then retirement arrives and something rather unexpected happens.
You suddenly have all the time in the world to do things and somehow they don’t get done.
Many people are surprised by this. After all, retirement is supposed to mean more freedom, less stress and finally having enough time. Yet it’s not uncommon to hear people say:
“I don’t know where the day goes.”
“I seem to be busier than ever.”
“I thought I’d get so much more done.”
“Why am I less organised now I have more time?”
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone and it’s something I work on as a life coach with many of my newly retired clients.
One of the biggest adjustments in retirement isn’t having too little time, it’s learning how to manage having so much more of it.
When we’re working, structure quietly does a lot of heavy lifting. Our days have shape.
We know when to get up, when to leave the house, when lunch happens and roughly how our day will unfold. We have deadlines, appointments and other people relying on us.
Even if we didn’t particularly enjoy all of it, it gave our days rhythm. Then retirement removes much of that structure overnight. Suddenly, every day can feel a little bit like Saturday and while that sounds wonderful at first, it can also feel surprisingly disorientating.
Without deadlines, it’s easy to think: “I’ll do that tomorrow.”
Without routine, small jobs can expand to fill an entire day.
Without priorities, we can find ourselves busy without feeling productive.
This isn’t because we’re lazy or unmotivated. It’s simply because we’re adjusting to a completely different way of living.
Another common surprise is that tasks don’t always get done more quickly just because we have more time. In fact, the opposite can happen. When there is no urgency, it’s easy to put things off.
That drawer can wait until next week, the paperwork can wait until tomorrow or the phone call can wait until later.
Before long, the jobs we intended to tackle are still sitting there months later.
Many retirees tell me they feel frustrated by this. They imagined finally having time to sort things out, only to find themselves procrastinating more than ever. The truth is that most of us don’t realise that we work better with some gentle structure.
The good news is that retirement doesn’t need a strict timetable.
Most people didn’t retire so they could fill every hour of every day. Instead, the aim is to create enough structure to give your week shape while still enjoying your freedom.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to recreate their working week.
Retirement doesn’t need colour-coded spreadsheets and hourly plans. Instead, think about creating a few regular anchor points.
Perhaps you meet a friend every Wednesday morning. Maybe Friday becomes your life admin day.
Perhaps you always take a walk after breakfast or attend an exercise class on Tuesdays.
A handful of regular activities can provide rhythm without making life feel rigid.
A long to-do list can feel overwhelming, especially when there are no deadlines attached to it.
Instead, choose three things you’d like to accomplish that day.
They don’t need to be huge.
It might be:
Small achievements create momentum and help prevent that feeling of reaching bedtime and wondering where the day went.
Many of us assume motivation comes first. In reality, action often comes first.
If you’ve been meaning to sort through paperwork, don’t commit to doing it all – commit to five minutes.
If you’ve been putting off clearing the shed, start with one shelf.
Getting started is often the hardest part.
One of the joys of retirement is having more flexibility. However, if everything is flexible, it’s surprisingly easy to do nothing.
Putting enjoyable activities in the diary gives you things to look forward to and helps create a natural flow to the week.
That might be:
Purpose doesn’t have to be grand. It just has to matter to you.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that retirement is a major life transition. Most people spend 40 or 50 years living to a particular structure. It’s hardly surprising that adapting takes time.
If retirement feels different from what you expected, that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong, it simply means you’re learning a new way of living.
Retirement isn’t about being productive every minute of the day, nor is it about filling every spare moment. It’s about creating a life that works for you. A little structure can help you enjoy your freedom rather than feel overwhelmed by it.
So, if you’re finding that every day feels a bit like Saturday, take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone.
Many people discover that having more freedom requires a different kind of routine.
The good news is that with a few simple habits and some gentle structure, retirement can become exactly what most of us hoped it would be: a time of greater choice, flexibility and enjoyment.
Get your money moving with our great rate.
In partnership with NatWest. Interest paid monthly. Available to UK residents only, designed for people over 50.
Click below for your chance to win a 15-night cruise to the Canary Islands on board Saga's Spirit of Adventure, worth more than £8,300.
Are you retiring at the wrong age? The best age to retire for your body, brain, happiness and pocket.
Everything you need to know about the lung infection, and how you could be ill with “walking” pneumonia without realising it.
Strong calves for a strong mind: how they support our circulation and brain health, with easy moves to strengthen yours at home.
Our GP Dr Mark Porter explains what can cause itchy skin, which is a common problem as we get older.
Worried you’ve morphed into Victor Meldrew? Find out how to battle that bad mood, and what to do if you’re stuck with a grouchy loved one.
The benefits of heat and cold therapy, and how Nordic bathing won over our nervous writer.
Here’s how to spot the symptoms of heat disease and reduce your danger.
The NHS winter vaccination campaign kicks off next week. Here’s the lowdown on what you need to book.
Pilates for back pain – what to do if you are suffering, and five gentle exercises that could help.
Dizziness or vertigo: a sensation of spinning, can stop us doing everyday things for fear of falling. Try these tips to stop feeling dizzy
You don’t have to put up with bladder leaks. We try out the latest pelvic floor gadgets for men and women.
Cataracts are a normal part of ageing. Learn how to spot the signs – and when it’s time to consider surgery.
