It’s been a few months since your spouse passed away.
Many of your family and friends have stopped checking in with you. They’ve moved on with their own lives – rightfully so.
You still feel young, yet at the same time, you feel very old.
Your house surrounds you with deafening silence.
This curveball life has thrown is challenging.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age for becoming a widow is 59.
Women tend to live longer than men. Also, women tend to marry someone older.
No matter the average age, the loss of a spouse is difficult.
Your plans for how you were planning to live in retirement have changed.
With your life partner no longer by your side, loneliness may creep into your day.
You don’t want to be a burden to others, so you find yourself not knowing what to do.
If you find yourself in this situation after your spouse dies, find a job to fill your time.
Whether or not you need the money, getting out of the house will be good for you.
A job will:
give you a reason to start each day
bring a new routine to your day
help you build new friendships
keep your mind occupied instead of going down memory lane all day
Depending on your situation, a job can be paying, or it can be a volunteer opportunity.
It can be part-time or full-time employment.
For example, if you currently work full-time, you may want a part-time job or volunteer opportunity to occupy your time on weekends.
The job market has changed and continues to change with technology.
There may be opportunities to work from home as a virtual assistant.
If you crave more social interactions, look for retail positions.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people shop online and pick up their items at the store’s location.
This change created the need for personal shoppers at retail stores such as Walmart, Target, home improvement stores, and grocery stores.
Opportunities are out there. You just need to figure out what type of work will fill your void.
Once you determine what type of job you want, reach out to your connections.
Going online is also an option if you’re comfortable with technology.
But most jobs are still found by who you know.
Moving forward with life after your spouse dies is challenging.
Give yourself a new purpose in life by finding a job to fill your time.
It won’t completely fill the void you’re feeling without your spouse, but it will provide a new way to spend your time – a way to move forward with life.
(Update to original post from October 9, 2019)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA®, RICP®, is a Managing Director at Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life, and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter, and financial advisor. Her services include developing comprehensive financial plans, divorce financial reviews, and retirement plans. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’”