Every morning I wake up wondering what I will fill the day with

[northwick]

The problem with retirement is that once you have got rid of the pressures that could be causing depression then you have nothing to do with your time!!!!

[Trip]

good morning northwick, I am only 27 and I still struggle to find things to do every day,there is only so meany times you can do the same thing in one day.

As I have seen you live close to me there's a few places I have found that I love going to to make a change to my day.

Stanmore common

shoots garden center

Harrow view point... it has some great views over the town.

hope you have a nice day

Trip.

[Kaz12345]

I think its something that a lot of people struggle with, even if not retired! My OH is longing for retirement, thinks its when his fun begins, but I think,he will struggle with the enforced relaxation when the time comes. I think you said you recently said you had a back operation so probably not as mobile as you wish at the moment so that probably doesn't help. Hopefully when you are a little more recovered and the warmer weather comes (if it comes!) things will be easier and you can perhaps get out a little with your wife, find some activities you both enjoy.

[northwick]

Thank you both for the encouragement.

I try sooo hard to think positively but it can very difficult.

You are quite right. Looking out the window at the grim weather is enough to drive anyone potty - it seems to go on for ever!!

Trip, I know the places you are talking of but at the moment I am not very mobile and the weather is horrible!

I have been taking the pills for depression for nearly 5 months and apart from not feeling total and utter despair there seems to be no difference. The doc has reduced the dose with a view to changing to a different drug. Let us see what that does!!

[Hidden]

My anxiety really kicked in when I retired 18 months ago,well,that is what I blame,miss my routine,could,nt wait to retire,worked for over 20 years and only took time off at Christmas,whenI wake in the morning there is nothing to get up for apart from my dog.you so look forward to it,everyone would say"you will wonder where you had time to work"

Don't want to even do all the things I planned to do.Never sit and watch daytime tv,most things on stress me out.My partner and I have a narrowboat ,planned to spend my time with that,no,can't be bothered and causes more anxiety

[northwick in reply to Hidden]

Retiring often seems to be the thing that kicks our problem off. Once it grabs us we seem less and less inclined to do anything.

We are the only ones who know the feelings of despair, usually for no logical reason.

There has to be a "normal" waiting in the future but when is that to be?

I have been told to "find a hobby"etc etc.

We know how we feel better than any of the therapists or -oligists that we are asked to see but possibly just talking helps and that is why they exist at all.

Sdaly treating our condition is far from a perfect science and in the end We have to make ourselves better - though how we do that I do not know

[Trip]

Hi northwick I understand what you mean about the weather, it does the same thing to me.

If you would ever like a chat or just a nice cup of tea just send me a message and I will meet you somewhere.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

Trip

[northwick in reply to Trip]

That is very kind of you but what will happen is that there will be two crying in their tea instead of one!!!

particularly in this weather

At this stage I feel that it will not be therapeutic to either of us, but I really do appreciate the offer.

Northwick

[Pickle165]

i think anyone stuck at home will struggle with finding things to do eventually. i cant work right now and find myself mooching around but do try and ge involved in something other wise my mine is left to over think and get more anxious. x

[Hidden]

Hi I am not retired (I should be so lucky) but I have been out of work for 3 years now. At first I found it very difficult to have nothing I had to do and no structure to my day. So I made some changes. I made my own structure. Thats what you have to do. I now take my sisters dog out walking every day coz she can't and I refuse to let the dog down. I also visit my mother in her care home. I have quite a good social life and friends. So I structure all that in as well. I play darts for a team twice a week and I won't let them down either. I don't know how I found the time to work!

Bev x

[northwick]

No one has mentioned the noises and numbness in the head. These frighten me

Even though I try to district myself, these feelings come and go as if they have a life of their own. Often they are not there at all. All I can do is plough my way through them when they arrive.

I do not know the answer - Am I going mad or what?

[sasays]

Considered volunteer work? x

[northwick]

Yes and am investigating

[goldfishpainter]

I am disabled, and I struggle to fill the time on days when I feel okay. On bad days I'm just trying to survive, which expends all my time and energy. On good days, filling the time becomes an issue. I have Netflix and Spotify, and I paint and exercise. I see my boyfriend most nights. Reading helps sometimes, but I can't always pay attention. Other things I've done to fill the time are learning Spanish, playing scrabble on my phone, swimming every day in the summer, and seeking out bodies of water to explore (creeks, lakes, rivers).