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How to handle it — getting older, in the hard moments

Moves for the stuff that knocks older blokes around.

Work's finished and you've lost your purpose, your mates, your reason to get up.

Right now

  • Name it — losing the job is losing a big chunk of identity. The flatness makes sense.
  • Build one thing into tomorrow worth getting up for — a walk, a shed job, a coffee with someone.

Don't

  • Don't let the days blur with no shape. Structure is what work quietly gave you.

Later

  • Men's Sheds, volunteering, a cause — purpose can be rebuilt, and it matters as much as ever.

More on this → Older men & ageing

Getting older: the short version

  1. 1.Retired and adrift? Build one thing worth getting up for.
  2. 2.Reach out first — you're not a bother.
  3. 3.Grieve what's changed, then do what you still can.
  4. 4.Don't write off low mood as 'just age' — see your GP.
  5. 5.Grief alone gets dangerous — Lifeline 13 11 14.
Doing it tough?Call Lifeline 13 11 14