Oh, the joy ! ….. not having to rise to the alarm and hit the increasingly congested motorways in all weathers….not having to fuss with heels and hair.

Taking time pottering in the garden, meeting friends for lunch, booking weekend breaks/trips away. I had done my sums and could look forward to a modest, comfortable retirement.

However, I soon found a disconnect between my expectations and the reality of no longer being in “active” work. Although it was a pleasure to holiday, socialise and catch up with friends and family, I found that I was lacking the focus and structure of my working life. I have always volunteered, and continue to do so, but even taking a part-time job in retail, I was lacking challenge and stimulation.

I experienced a sense of loss of identity, feeling devalued with little to offer. I quickly realised that whilst I had spent time pre-retirement developing appropriate financial plans, I had overlooked the mental/ emotional impact of not having structure and focus. I missed the social aspect of my working life and experienced a sense of aimlessness through lack of “purpose”