You’ve just retired. You were looking forward to sleeping in, spending more time with friends and family, picking up new hobbies, traveling, and simply relaxing.

But after a few weeks or so without working, you’re not as happy as you thought you would be. In fact, you’re feeling rather depressed. Maybe you don’t look forward to each day full of free time. Or perhaps you even catch yourself missing the office at times. You’re not sure why you can’t appreciate your newfound freedom.

Depression in retirement is far more common than most people realize. You’ve just made a major lifestyle change. And although retiring is a big accomplishment, leaving the workforce can bring challenges that you never anticipated. Here’s why people can often find themselves feeling depressed in retirement, and how you can remedy the situation.

Lack of Purpose

After leaving your job, you might feel like you lack a sense of purpose in life. Even if you didn’t love your job, knowing that people depended on you probably provided a self-esteem boost. Furthermore, you likely received positive feedback from your manager, coworkers, or customers on a regular basis.

Now you need to find a new sense of purpose. You could find it in a hobby, creative pursuit, volunteering, or another endeavor.

Empty Days

When you were in the workforce, your days were full. Now that you’re retired, you might not have anything specific on your schedule when you get up in the morning. Thinking about a full day ahead of you with nothing too day might not feel as freeing as you had anticipated. Instead, it might just feel empty. Try to schedule one or two things every day that will get you out of the house, whether it’s grabbing lunch with a friend, reading at your favorite coffee shop, or stopping by the library.

Loneliness

At work, you were probably around other people all the time. Even if you and your coworkers weren’t the best of friends, you likely had some colleagues whom you enjoyed catching up with each day. But after retiring, you might feel a bit lonely! Find a friend to set up regular get-togethers with so that you always have a social gathering to look forward to. You could look into volunteering opportunities in your area.

Changes in Routine

Retiring represents a drastic change in your day-to-day routine—and even if it’s a welcome change, it can be a shock to your system! You might feel a little bit lost now that you don’t have a specific, predictable routine. But this is your opportunity to establish a routine that makes you feel fulfilled.

Maybe you want to work out in the morning, write in a journal, sip your coffee on the porch, walk your dog, or make a hearty breakfast. Now that you’re retired, the sky’s the limit!

Working With a Therapist

If you’re struggling to chart your path forward in retirement, you might benefit from working with a therapist. The right therapist can help you decide what your goals are now, and how you want to spend your time. They can guide you as you pinpoint the roots of your depression and identify what’s missing from your life in retirement.

Most importantly, you can use your time in therapy to uncover a fresh sense of purpose. And once you’ve figured out your purpose, you can approach your lifestyle in retirement with a newfound sense of joy.

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Are you struggling with depression after retirement? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session for depression therapy when you are going through a life transition.