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AUTHOR: R Quinn on 10/11/2025
Wade Pfau has an interest article on RetirementResearch.com about the non-financial aspects of of retirement and the various stages.
In it he states, “Mid-retirement often reveals the cracks beneath the surface. Six months to a year in, many retirees face the “most dangerous day,” when the novelty wears off and the emptiness of unscheduled time sets in. Without purpose or structure, days can feel repetitive. This is when boredom or unease can set in, sometimes leading to unhealthy patterns.”
Since this never happened to me, I was wondering if others found it a challenge. I never thought of retirement as a novelty, but rather the next phase of a journey anticipated for decades and for most of us unavoidable in any case.
My view is that our personalities don’t change just because we retire. I also think some people create unrealistic expectations for retirement and thus set themselves up for a letdown.
Are these real concerns?
Missing work and perhaps status with it?
Fewer friends because others still work?
Spending 24 hours more or less every day with a spouse or partner?
Finding things to do or feeling the need to do so?
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
I appreciated every paycheck, but I was delighted to retire early and live abroad. Learning new cultures and languages kept me busy. Being a minimalist was an automatic way to budget- if I bought it, I had to haul it- or throw it away. Now I’ve returned to the USA and own a car- my first car in 25 years. I love tinkering on it and road trips around the USA. Na, I’m not bored and don’t miss the nonsense of corporate politics 🙂
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I never had a problem. I retired to another job, then retired again to a part time position and volunteer work. Kept active with volunteerism and church activities. Developed new friendships while maintains a few of the old ones.
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