I recently retired and while I didn't go thru a depressed period, I did go thru a period where I could feel a "vacuum". I think this must be normal because if you've worked a long time (or even not so long time) on a regular basis, things are bound to feel strange when a major part of your routine is changed.

But what has helped me is that I do have plenty of other things to focus on. Introvert that I am, I also realize that it is vital that I get out and make sure that I have contact with people besides my husband on a daily basis if possible even if I think sometimes that I'm fine being by myself all the time. Sometimes it feels like a chore but I always feel better after I have made some extra effort to get in touch with an old friend.

Besides people, I think you need to fill the time you used to spend with your old routine of work with new routines, ones that you are pretty serious about following, not giving yourself too much slack. I have joined a gym. I swim everyday Monday thru Friday.

I also belong to two book clubs which I really like because they are free and they aren't fattening and the people are very interesting. It doesn't get much better than that.

Bottom line: keep connecting with old friends on a regular basis and try to figure out ways to make new friends. Find something that requires you to be somewhere at a certain time such as volunteering or set some goal regarding a hobby to finish a project by some time. I think discipline is important for keeping your mental state in good condition.

You know what they say, if you don't use it, you lose it!

Let us know how you're doing.

--Alice

My only frustration is that my offers to volunteer have been ignored. There appear to be too many volunteers for the number of jobs available. I am sure that is just a case of not knowing where to hook-up, but it is discouraging nonetheless. Friends have tried volunteering at hospitals and have found themselves in the volunteer room at the hospital with nothing at all to do. I don't think that volunteering is as easy as people assume. I was turned down as a museum docent despite years of experience as a research historian because my wardrobe was not up to snuff. I tried to volunteer at the local school, but I had to pay for the training and the background check and that just seemed wrong to me, particularly since I had worked all those years in education!! The local library never returned my calls or answered my email when I tried to respond to their call for volunteers. Hmmm, I didn't start this to be a rant, but I guess it is.

Any town that has a "Meals on Wheels" program for getting meals to shutins usually need drivers.

Keep looking, I am sure that you might find something that you can help with.