Overcoming Anxiety and Depression-Embracing Retirement

Volume 10-Reflecting on 38 years of marriage and overcoming adversity

Welcome back once again to my popular series about embracing retirement.

My goal with these articles is to help people get the most from their well-deserved retirement. After all, we worked for a long time to reach this milestone. Our relationships are so important throughout our lives and perhaps even more so during retirement. In my case, they helped me overcome a lot of personal daemons.

I am so fortunate to have spent 38 years to date with my wife and as a result, have two wonderful children and many wonderful memories.

Now you can listen to my articles: https://podcastle.ai/editor/player/6163697610eec3398fc5a168

Pre-Marriage Struggles

Thinking back to the time before I met my wife, I was having a rough time.

It was around 1980. My job was stressful, and I was suffering from anxiety and depression, without knowing at the time much about it or receiving any treatment. I just didn’t feel right, and believe I had a nervous breakdown. I felt lightheaded and unsteady on my feet and became more reclusive.

When out in public, such as church or other public events, I would suffer panic attacks. Self-consciousness to the extreme. It was exhausting and terrible.

Somehow I managed to keep my job, but it continued to fuel the fire.

Looking back, the signs were there long before I graduated from college and started my job in the pharmaceutical industry. I remember my first signs of anxiety in the days before my high school graduation. Prior to this, I didn’t have an issue. It’s hard to explain. This continued through college and thereafter.

The Healing Began

Meeting my wife in 1982 was a lifesaver. She was heaven sent and it was certainly meant to be. She was always and still is, so much fun. She almost never turns down an opportunity to do things, no matter how large or small. From vacations to family dinners to simple things like going for a ride.

She always says, “sure why not!”

We got married in 1983 and the rest is history. After 38 years and two wonderful children, we are still best friends.

Making Strides

Do I still have issues with anxiety and depression? Yes. But I have received treatment over time and things are much better. Retirement has been a blessing for me as my stress level is much lower and my anxiety has also decreased.

Personal Relationships Have Healing Powers

Throughout this long journey called life, at the root of all the good things that have happened to me; are my personal relationships. Mostly with my wife, family, and friends. These relationships definitely have the power to carry you through difficult situations, including your own issues and the death and illness of loved ones.

Relationships are one of the best investments you can make, they reap huge dividends over time.

Relationships Require Work and Effort

I have always believed that anything worthwhile requires work.

This includes relationships. They are a lot of work. But in my estimations, almost nothing benefits us more, especially as we age. The older we get, the more important relationships become as we face challenges unique to aging such as mobility issues, health scares, etc.

Keep Your Relationships Strong

The best thing you can do, especially as a retiree, is to “put in the work” to keep your relationships flourishing.

You won’t be sorry you did.