My first 2 years of retirement challenging, memorable – Retiree

Aretired civil servant has revealed that the first two years of his retirement were the most challenging and memorable post-work experience he had in life.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Trust on life after retirement, the retiree, who is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, George Anemene, said the two years were a period of self-rediscovery.

“There were spontaneous transitions. Everything was happening in quick successions. First, all I wanted was to rest. I took time off and travelled. The rest I sought for eluded me trauma set in,” he said.

Anemene said his doctor later told him it was wrong for him to rush into hiding immediately after retirement as that would amount to his preoccupying his mind with what to do after exiting active service.

He said he quickly recovered, moved back to Abuja, reunited with his family and friends.

He said coming home had a healing effect on his mind as he devoted plenty time for his wife, children and friends.

“At this point, I knew I would never retire in life or I would die. I had to get myself busy but the problem was I had no idea what to do,” he said.

Asked how his routines changed after retirement, he said he stopped being time conscious and starting doing things at his own pace.

“Before my breakfast was always by 7:00am before I leave for office. My wife was already used to it though she retired five years before my. She retired voluntarily. But now, we no longer worry to take breakfast that early. We can eat breakfast anything we wake up,” he said.

However, Anemene said the breakthrough came when he accepted a job offer from a friend for consultancy services in some agencies.

“My wife said I didn’t need it. But I knew I needed it. I needed it not for the money but to remain sound in mind. With time, she realised I was right,” he said.

Asked when he would stop working, he said, “You just asked me when I will die. Ask God, not me.”