Here's how you can manage the emotional aspects of retiring from your career as a transportation planner.

Hanging up my transportation planner hat after years of tackling complex traffic flow was bittersweet. The structured routine and problem-solving that came with the job were ingrained in me. Retirement felt like a sudden stop sign on a familiar route. Acknowledging this sense of loss was key. It's okay to grieve the end of a chapter before embracing the open road of retirement. This allowed me to start planning for the next exciting leg of my journey, filled with new adventures and possibilities. #TransportationPlanning #Retirement #NewBeginnings

Estou vivendo isso neste momento, iniciei um negócio próprio após perde o último trabalho e foi uma reviravolta enorme, estava acostumado na correria com decis?es imediatas e sempre muito ativos, ouvindo muitas pessoas, analisando vários relatórios e desenvolvendo outros e sempre mapeando opera??es para gerar economia e eficiência, agora tudo parou bruscamente de uma vez com um negócio pequeno onde apenas eu lidando com tudo e fazendo tudo em uma enorme calmaria, que as vezes preciso pegar um livro ou me atentar em ler algum artigo para n?o me acomodar e desanimar do investimento realizado. Mas já estou analisando propostas para retornar ao mercado de trabalho porque uma vez com o cora??o dedicado a logística sempre estará dedicado a ela.

Retirement is often viewed as an end to a long career, a point where you step away from years of hard work and daily routines. However, it’s more empowering to think of retirement not as something you’re leaving behind but as a new phase you’re stepping into. Instead of focusing on what you’re retiring from, consider what you’re retiring to. This perspective shift allows for a more positive and proactive approach to this life transition. It’s an opportunity to embrace new hobbies, travel, spend time with loved ones, or even start a new venture that you’re passionate about. By retiring to something meaningful and fulfilling, you can create a retirement that is not only restful but also enriching and exciting.

First of all the first 48 hrs of retirement are tough as the phone is no longer ringing and people are no longer seeking your counsel. Time to take stock of your opportunities whether it is as a Consultant, spending more time participating in your favorite hobbies or giving back through volunteering. All will give you purpose that replaces your former career.

I’m not sure if I did accept change at first but once I got used to a different daily routine I began to embrace the new opportunities available to me. Unfortunately my mobility became seriously impaired before I retired so that some of the voluntary roles I had planned - like working on a heritage railway - were no longer possible.

Hanging up my transportation planning hat was bittersweet. I'd miss the challenge of optimizing traffic flow, but retirement opened a new highway of possibilities! Those long-held dreams of [mention specific hobbies or activities] were no longer on the backburner. Now, I have the time to fully explore them, igniting a sense of purpose and fulfillment that rivals the satisfaction of a perfectly planned commute. It's a different kind of flow, but just as rewarding.

Novos caminhos novas emo??es sempre estar?o no nosso cora??o. A busca pelo desafio, com a mesma garra e empenho profissional, acontece naturalmente mesmo após a aposentadoria. S?o possibilidades de desenvolver uma vida com mais ? experiência e uma outra vis?o. Planejar e desenvolver o transporte em vários setores nos torna bem mais ? confiantes com uma sabedoria colhendo frutos do sucesso!

Yes, travel and visiting old friends across the globe. However WfH has added a new dimension. I can still contribute from the other side of the world (although the time difference can be challenging!).

Saying goodbye to a fulfilling career in transportation planning can be an emotional rollercoaster. But here's a tip that helped me navigate the transition: nurturing my social network. Just like the intricate transport systems I planned, my social connections needed regular maintenance. Staying in touch with former colleagues provided a familiar space to reminisce and share the unique challenges and triumphs of our careers. It wasn't just about the past, though. Expanding my social circle beyond the industry opened doors to new friendships and enriched my retirement experience with fresh perspectives.

I take the view that, just because I’ve retired from local government, doesn’t mean I can’t use my skills and experience elsewhere. LinkedIn is my main professional network but I keep in touch using social media and try to meet people through workshops and seminars. In addition I meet with a group of former colleagues for a Friday lunchtime drink every few weeks. I’ve picked up a variety of jobs over the last 18 months and have applied my skills to becoming a school governor. The big difference I find in retirement is that I can afford to pick and choose what work I take on and I’m not bound by conventional business hours.

Social media like LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram still provide the contacts to transport planning friends. But the gradual reduction in hours still enables good social contact.

I probably differ from the majority of retirees in that I’m the father of an 8 year old girl. I get to spend more time with her than most fathers do and I’m proud to watch her develop emotionally and intellectually into a clever, kind and confident young woman.

My retirement from transportation planning wasn't all sunshine and golf courses. There were days of pure excitement for new adventures, but also moments of uncertainty about the future. Those waves of emotion were normal, I realized. Just like any complex transportation project, navigating retirement required a plan. Seeking professional help, like a counselor, became my secret weapon. It wasn't a sign of weakness, but a way to ensure a smooth emotional journey into this exciting new chapter.

I’ve yet to see this. Probably the reduction to 1-2 days per week has avoided significant emotional issues. Travel and dealing with the jobs I’ve been meaning to do for a while also helps.

Transitioning from a career I poured my heart into, like transportation planning, wasn't easy. But focusing on my legacy helped. Reflecting on the efficient, sustainable systems I helped create, and how they positively impacted communities, brought a deep sense of pride. Documenting my experiences through writing or mentoring younger planners became a way to see the continued influence of my work. This focus on legacy provided closure and comfort as I embraced this new chapter in my life.

Keeping your hand in enhances your legacy. I still review technical papers and sit on a technical committee, so still have some influence.

Leaving behind a career I poured my heart into, like meticulously designed transportation routes, wasn't easy. But planning, a skill honed during my years as a transportation planner, became my secret weapon. I set clear goals for my retirement - mastering Spanish and volunteering for a local environmental group. Having a roadmap for this next chapter eased the emotional bumps and got me excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. This approach can help anyone transitioning from a cherished career to a fulfilling retirement.