When we speak of loss, we are often referring to the loss of a loved one, usually a partner/spouse or close family member. And for those of us who are pet owners, it can be the loss of our cherished dog or cat.
But there are other forms of loss that we may grieve unconsciously or not at all, but it sits in our subconscious, impacting our life.
As we prepare to retire most of us will have goals and expectations, plans and dreams that we believe we will finally be able to fulfill.
Whether we race out the door on our last day or linger to say goodbye to people we may have spent decades of our lives with, the end of our jobs or careers is a huge loss that few people acknowledge.
A great many people will embark on the trip of their dreams as a celebration of their retirement. But what happens, after years of planning, if this trip doesn’t happen or if it isn’t as wonderful as it was supposed to be?
As friends retire their lives may take them in different directions as well. Many retirees move, either to smaller homes or to be closer to children and grandchildren.
All of these are losses that few people recognize and fewer deal with.
We recognize that the big losses will impact our lives but we fail to realize that the loss of friends, opportunities and hopes play a huge impact on our mental well-being. Loss comes in many forms and we must take the time to grieve and recognize how we are feeling after each loss. How we deal with the everyday losses that are a fact of life will have a huge impact on us as we move forward into this next phase of our life.