Have you ever felt that middle-aged friends around you always say, “Just a few more years until I retire, then I’ll finally relax”?
For most elderly people, having savings, a pension, or children willing to support them means a stress-free life in their old age.
Many of us subconsciously think that life after retirement is wonderful—receiving a pension without having to work sounds leisurely. Many elderly people envy those who have retired and eagerly anticipate the day they can finally escape all the hardships and exhaustion.
It seems like retirees are the most comfortable and happiest group in society. After working hard for most of their lives, they can finally rest and no longer worry about making a living, appearing relaxed and comfortable.
But this “relaxed and comfortable” facade is just the surface. Like water to a thirsty person, retirees are the only ones who truly know the bitterness they face.
The following three elderly individuals share their firsthand experiences to tell us that retired life is not as happy as we imagine.
Just as Aunt Zhao was about to retire, her son and daughter-in-law asked her to take care of her grandson
Aunt Zhao was looking forward to retirement, planning to travel with her husband to Tibet to experience the beauty of the Potala Palace. They intended to move to the countryside, grow vegetables, and enjoy a leisurely life together.
However, as retirement approached, her son and daughter-in-law, over a meal at their house, asked Aunt Zhao to look after their grandson while the daughter-in-law returned to work. Despite initial reluctance due to potential conflicts over childcare and their travel plans, Aunt Zhao eventually agreed out of love for her grandson.
After retiring, Aunt Zhao began taking care of her grandson full-time. With the child needing constant attention and care, she found herself exhausted physically and emotionally, despite her husband’s assistance with household chores.
Due to having more free time after retirement, Aunt Huang gradually became the family’s maid
Neighbor Aunt Huang, who retired a few years earlier than her husband and lived with her son and daughter-in-law, willingly took on all the household chores to ease their burden. Initially appreciative of her help, her family eventually began to take her for granted, expecting her to handle all the housework simply because she was not working.
Before retirement, Aunt Huang used to enjoy outings with friends and dancing in the evenings. Now, she is burdened with endless chores, deprived of her leisure time.
Taking care of elderly parents is more exhausting than going to work
A colleague once told me about her mother, who returned to their hometown to care for her grandparents after retiring. Both grandparents had undergone surgery, with the grandfather paralyzed and the grandmother unable to move independently. In addition to caregiving, her mother had to tend to livestock and crops, working tirelessly every day.
Caring for the elderly requires not just physical care, but also emotional support, treating them with the same tenderness as children.
As the elderly grow older, their mental age regresses. Despite feeling exhausted, caregivers must accommodate their every need.
After reading the retirement stories of these three elderly individuals, do you still think life after retirement will be relaxing?