Retirement: Top 5 Challenges in the First Years ਨਮੂਨਾ

Challenge 2:
Structure & Routine

One of the biggest surprises in retirement isn’t financial or emotional – it’s practical. You finally have all the time in the world. But what exactly are you supposed to do with it?

When you were working, your days had a built-in rhythm. Wake up, check the calendar, head into meetings, tackle your to-do list. Even the weekends had shape, driven by the need to rest before Monday arrived.

But now? There’s no urgency. No boss. No deadlines. And that freedom, which seemed so attractive at first, is quickly slipping into frustration.

What used to be a packed schedule has turned into unstructured hours. Days start to blur. Weeks pass without much movement. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you start to wonder:

Am I using this time well?
Am I doing the right thing?
What does God think?

God knows that time without structure can easily be lost. Time that is lost against the plans which God has for you, against the good works which He has already prepared for you, as co-worker to help bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. That’s why Scripture speaks so often about wisdom in how we live:

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” – Ephesians 5:15–16a NIV

Retirement isn’t meant to be an extended holiday. It’s not just about chasing satisfaction or waiting for the end. It’s a season to be fruitful – a time to give back and help build God’s Kingdom here on earth.

When Jesus was on earth, He often withdrew to quiet places to pray – not to be idle, but to reset. Think of the beginning of your retirement as a reset. A time to shape your days, not just fill them. A time where you might pursue what matters most, without the noise of what doesn’t. Consider the words of the psalmist:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 NIV

So take a look ahead. Think about how many more years you have where you can still be useful. Not useful to your boss or company, but useful to your Creator and Savior. Then as you think, take inventory. What do you have to offer? What might you learn in the years ahead? What might your new rhythm look like?

And, as you process these thoughts, consider this – will your plans draw you closer to God, or will they just keep you busy? Will your activities help others and help build God’s Kingdom on earth, or are they just an extension of your ego, spending the resources God has granted you on yourself?

Even though your schedule now belongs to you, your time belongs to Him. So use it for His glory and reap the eternal reward. Not sure how to go about doing that? Then consider these words of Jesus to kickstart your thought process:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” – Matthew 25:34-36

Reflection Questions:

• What does a “wise” day look like for me in this season?
• Have I built any habits that anchor my time with God?

Prayer:
Lord, I don’t want to drift through retirement. Help me build habits that keep me grounded, faithful, and focused. Show me how to structure my time so that every day reflects my trust in You. And then direct my paths so that I may help reflect your goodness to others. Amen.