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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