26 years ago I worked my final day in the corporate world. I was ready to “retire”. I realize now that I had no idea of what lay ahead. I knew I was ready to stop the 8am to 7pm daily grind but that was about it.

Due to my lower-class upbringing I was pretty frugal when it came to money. I had saved enough to not have to worry about the money. I pretty much knew that with my savings and pension along with future Social Security checks I could easily get by. But I was totally naive when it came to the emotional side of this life-changing event.

The reason I am writing this series of posts here at RJsCorner is to maybe help you discover the emotional “secrets” to what lies beyond retirement day. Maybe I can help some of you so you might not make the same mistakes as I did.

After thinking about this emotional journey I realize that it pretty much applies to any major life change. The circumstances might be different but the emotions are pretty much the same. So, even if you are years away from retiring you still might learn a thing or two that will help you along your present path in your emotional life.

What I will be covering are the emotional stages of retirement including the anxiety and depression so common in many, including me, during these years.

I in the last year or so I think I have finally figured the emotional side out. That probably means I will die tomorrow, but I do hope that I have at least a few more years to FINALLY live a very satisfying retirement.