You're Only as Old as You Feel!
By Marie Foley

Many seniors never realise until the day of retirement that their new-found freedom isn't what it's cracked up to be. The transition from the workplace to living a life of leisure can be changed to a life of despondency no matter what field of endeavour they might have held before.

Financial fears play havoc with the mind unless one is lucky enough to have saved a small fortune. Yet, money worries are not the great shock, as is the enormous task of adjustment to this new life.

Who wants to just occupy space?

This is not the prospect one expects to look forward to in the Golden Years, not after spending endless time learning life's secrets. It is imperative that we not only utilise the lessons but also pass them on to the younger generation.

One needs to be a useful contributor to society, or at least feel they are playing a role in the real world. There is a possibility, one might imagine this could be the end of life out there. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Retirement can be a new beginning!

After experiencing sudden retirement, I felt too young inside to say goodbye to people I talked to everyday.

How could I stand the isolated feeling of being far away from the outside world?

I couldn't.

"Well," I asked myself. "What will I do about it?"

I remembered the saying - You're only as old as you feel!

I feel young! Furthermore, in my humble way I have something to offer society. Sometimes we underestimate our talents.

My mother said, "If you feel you really want to do something bad enough, you'll do it and not let age challenge you."

I am a people person. Although I don't have college degrees, I certainly have the experience of life's teachings. I've known joy, happiness, peace, but I have also lived through sorrow and heartbreak. I have been a sister, mother, and wife. I've done volunteer work like many people in my community.

As retirees we all have a life of stories to tell, especially to a younger generation I believe need our wisdom. Oh yes, we have gained wisdom by going through the school of hard knocks. In return we need their creativity, vitality, spontaneity and zest for life to keep us young.

There is really no definite solution to the retirement blues. However, we can address it by removing the cloud and allowing sunshine to light our world. Perhaps we should encourage our peers not to relent to the pressures of society. Instead go forward with grit and determination and approach this time in life as just another of the continuing challenges we face.

Marie was born in Winter Houses on the Port-au-Port Peninsula in Western Newfoundland and now makes her home in Nelson-Miramichi. She is an avid writer and has written several articles for The Downhomer Magazine of Newfoundland. Marie can be reached at marieiv@nb.sympatico.ca.