The Hidden Emotional Rollercoaster: Why Your First Six Months of Retirement Feel Like a Wild Ride
“You’ve done everything right—maxed out your 401(k), calculated your expenses, maybe even bought the dream home. Yet six months in, you’re wondering, ‘What’s wrong with me?’” Dr. Lorraine Wiseman explains that this shock is more common than most realize: nearly 28% of retirees experience depression within their first six months.
The reason? Retirement is far more than a financial milestone—it’s a profound psychological transition. One retired CEO admitted: “When retirement comes, it’s still a shock to the system. It’s a shock to your family. It’s a shock to everybody.”
Wiseman’s research shows most retirees move through five phases: identity loss, social network disruption, purpose reconstruction, adaptation, and—finally—identity integration. The key is understanding that emotional turbulence is normal, not a personal failing.
Read the full article on LinkedIn here: