The constant demands of the workplace usually places a lot of pressure on the home. This is why most couples look forward with great excitement to all the ample time they will have to spend with each other after retiring.
However, after the honeymoon stage of retirement is over, many discover that the reality of life after retirement is quite different from what they had envisaged. This could sometimes have a negative impact on marriages.
Below are some tips to help you avoid some of the negative impacts and make the transition easy irrespective of the surprising realities.
Make allowance for breathing space
Remember that both of you have spent many of your working years doing things individually, so there could be many things that you may enjoy doing apart from each other, like engaging in a sport or a course that just one of you is interested in. Hence, making room for breathing space will work wonders in terms of happiness.
The fact that you want to bond more after retirement doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be in each other’s faces every single hour of the day.
Communicate clearly
Communication is crucial to understanding at every phase in life. Most conflicts that arise between people are as a result of misunderstanding something which was most likely not communicated clearly.
It is vital that you take out time regularly to discuss how this new phase of life is affecting you as individuals, and as a couple. You can achieve this by making it a habit to go for walks together and giving each other the time to talk while listening attentively.
Live purposefully
We have discussed how to rediscover yourself in retirement. Having unrealistic expectations from your spouse now that you’re both retired is a sure recipe for disaster.
The fact that both of you are retired doesn’t mean your spouse will be available for you all the time. Sit down and get to know how your spouse likes to spend his or her time and look within yourself to discover what you also love to do that will give you a sense of meaning, then by all means, do it.
Be kind, cautious and compassionate
Being retired can sometimes be emotionally challenging, which can make your spouse extra sensitive and maybe even touchy at times. So it’s pertinent that you are kind and show a little more compassion in the way you relate with them.
Be cautious when you talk to your spouse and be mindful of the way you behave in the house. A flippant remark could inflict deep hurt at this stage of life.
Give a generous dose of love and affection
Both spouses must make the effort to show some affection after retirement. Hugging, playing, touching and simply loving each other can go a very long way in making both spouses happy.
There’s something rich and deep about aged love; it is yet another blessing in the golden years. You should most definitely explore it.
In conclusion, it’s not rocket science to keep a happy home after retiring, but it requires a lot of thoughtfulness, patience and selflessness which eventually pays off in the end.
