The psychology of retirement

Retirement introduces new biorhythmic cycles which can take time to adapt to. It's almost going to be three years since I retired and I have established a routine which works (if imperfectly) and blends structure with looseness and room for surprises. 

When you live alone (I rarely see my daughter) you spend a lot of time in your head. You don't have someone else to focus energy on which is less a complaint than an observation. If I've learned anything in my life is that the grass is always greener on the other side until you actually get it (please see Kierkegaard)

Older transgender people have more work to do at retirement because their psychology was embroiled in some form of denial or at least repression. Many came to self-acceptance grudgingly and sought ways to avoid transition rather than embrace it. 

Coming to retirement forces a resolution process especially when faced with the reality of a third and final act of life. 

If you had proposed to me the idea in my twenties (in the 80's) that I would be living like I do now I would have considered it preposterous and undesirable science fiction. Thus going from that mindset to today was an arduous process. 

The psychology of retirement is immersed in the lack of obligations and must-do's which can and does confuse many if you aren't prepared. Quite a few in my age range have gone back to work despite the chaos and pressure of the engineering profession.

It's one of the reasons that many people, when placed in empty rooms with no distractions and no tech to rely on, start to squirm and would rather give themselves little electric shocks than just sit there with nothing but their thoughts for company.