So, you’ve decided when you’re going to retire, and you know what you’re going to do in the days leading up to your final day in work. You might even have some long-term goals that you know you want to achieve during the years of retirement you have ahead of you.

But what about those first few days and weeks?

Transitioning from employment to retirement can be a difficult journey to navigate. Without proper management, it can cast a gloomy cloud over what should be a joyous and relaxing time in your life.

So, here are our top tips for what to do – and not to do – during the first thirty days of retirement!

Don’t delay in making plans 

If you don’t have any concrete plans for what you want to do with your retirement, it’s a good idea to start making those sooner rather than later to ensure your life away from work has a sense of purpose.

It’s important to think about the short term too: get in contact with friends and family and set some dates in your diary to go on a day trip or long weekend together, or simply to meet up for coffee. Creating an active social life requires effort, so it’s essential to start building connections sooner rather than later.

Limit your screen time 

Staying informed with current events in today’s world is easier than ever with 24-hour news. However, the constant need to stay updated can be both a blessing and a curse. It can quickly become addictive and lead you to become a couch potato without even realising it.

‘Binge watching’ series after series on streaming services such as Netflix can also be tempting with so much free time on your hands, but it’s worth keeping in mind that TV on demand is there to make it easier to fit viewing around your life, not to become your life!

Take some time to de-stress 

Just because you’ve left the world of work behind doesn’t mean that those things that cause you stress will magically disappear. Chances are, you’ve been postponing handling the stressful aspects of your life beyond work. To make the most out of your retirement and fully enjoy this relaxing period, it’s essential to develop a plan that addresses and resolves these issues as soon as possible.

Celebrate! 

Celebrate Your Retirement in Style! After years of hard work, it’s essential to take a moment and acknowledge your achievements. Why not commemorate this milestone with a luxurious weekend getaway, an extravagant meal, or a bottle of bubbly? Mark the occasion in a way that’s meaningful to you.

It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people bypass the opportunity to celebrate reaching one of life’s biggest milestones.

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