'I'm worried when I give up work I'll feel no sense of purpose and be seen as an old has-been'

Dear Coleen

I’m a 65-year-old woman with grown-up children and I’m also a grandma. I still work three days a week but I feel ready to retire and spend more time with family, and also enjoy activities with my husband who retired two years ago.

I have a good social life and I’m still fit and healthy. I enjoy walking and going to various classes as well.

To be honest, my heart isn’t in my job any more, but I worry about giving up work and feeling no sense of purpose or just feeling, well, old and past it!

I’m always busy on my two days off, but would having every day to myself result in me feeling bored and unfulfilled?

Retirement plans must be done thoroughly and factor in finances (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

I enjoy the routine of going to work, using my brain and ­chatting to people but, equally, I really don’t want to look back and wish I had made better use of my time while I was still fit and mobile.

I’ve always worried about getting older as my mum worked too hard and was never very happy. Then she died suddenly, so never got to enjoy retirement with my dad.

Any advice you could give would be very welcome.

Coleen says

I think it’s a common worry that if you retire that’s it – the game’s up and you’re expected to shuffle off quietly.

Well, I for one don’t take that view at all. Your job isn’t what keeps you engaged and fulfilled, it’s about your attitude to life and how you tackle that next stage of your life.

It’s about going into it with a positive attitude instead of being negative before you’ve given it a shot.

These days, plenty of people retire in their 50s if they’re lucky enough to have the financial security, so if you’re in a position to give up work without having to worry about money, consider it a fantastic opportunity. Start thinking now about what you would fill your time with – ­challenges, hobbies, holidays, volunteering, seeing more of your grandchildren. And come up with a plan.

You’re as young now as you’re ever going to be, so focus on making the ­absolute best of it.

If your mum’s experience has taught you anything, it’s that we don’t know what’s around the corner and life is too short to be doing something that’s not making you happy any more.

Good luck.