Navigating Retirement: Embracing Change and Finding Purpose Beyond a Fulfilling Career

Deciding to Retire

I always knew when I should retire. When the government relaunched the "key worker, help to buy" scheme, I jumped on the chance and got a mortgage. It was around 2006/07, and being nearly 50, it felt a bit late to be taking out a mortgage.

However, the timing was perfect, the house was just right, the location was great, and the price was manageable thanks to the "help to buy" scheme.

Faith and Financial Decisions

I've also always believed that God would provide for my needs. I've been faithful with my tithes and given to charity when I felt it was right. I lived in a social housing flat owned by London and Quadrant Housing Trust, in the same area of London as I started out. I'd developed a view that said building up material possessions wasn’t for me, and owning a house seemed like the ultimate possession—so I never thought I would do it.

A Shift in Perspective

Then one of those big salary reviews happened in the NHS, these seem to pop up every 20 years or so, and I found myself with more income. A friend also questioned why I was in social housing when others needed it more, and that really shifted my perspective on buying a house.

Planning for Retirement

Everything just clicked. My mortgage advisor said I should aim to pay off the mortgage by the time I retired, so we worked the numbers backward from there. I was planning to retire in April 2023.

The Reality of Retirement

Friends will offer advice on managing retirement; there are even courses for it. But when it happens, it feels so sudden. I worked 42 years, full-time, in the NHS without breaks for sickness, maternity, or any special leave. I was lucky to have essentially two careers and a lot of job satisfaction. I really loved my job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Adjusting to Life After Work

Then, suddenly, it all stops. If people are kind, you get a retirement party or a few smaller ones. Kind words are shared, and you get flowers and gifts. At the same time, you hand in your ID, name badge, and access pass. Your passwords stop working, you lose access to the staff car park, and you're excluded by door locks. Reports, notifications, and staff meetings all stop—it feels like you've been cut off at the knees.

Struggles and Reflections

I have to admit, I really struggled, while everyone around you talks about how great retirement is. I remember telling a close friend that it was nice to have some space. I thought it would be a chance for God to guide me in this new chapter of life. I ranted at Him to use the skills and gifts I had for new purposes—but not much changed.

Lessons Learned

Here's what I learned: we have natural talents just by being human, and special gifts from God meant for His purposes. Once you receive a gift from God, He doesn’t take it away, though it might be dormant for a while. You should work on His timeline, not yours. For example, I was signposted to participate in church worship, not for myself but to help others find a place to worship. Leading worship is very different from personal worship in a pew, and when I started, I didn’t think I’d still be doing it 25 years later. It's starting to change now, but I’ve learned that God doesn’t move on until you’re ready and have succeeded in the first task.

Two Years Into Retirement

I'm now two years into retirement and partly sorted. The suicide of my friend a couple of months ago reminded me that I need to be more intentional about maintaining friendships and relationships. You can’t just drift and expect a divine haze. It’s important to make a plan, seek God’s blessing, and follow through, trusting that He’ll give little nudges along the way.