'Spring clean' to shine in retirement

Updated: 12 May 2025

Retirement isn't just the ‘end of work’, it’s the beginning of something new. But, after years of routines and responsibilities, it’s easy to find yourself ‘settling’ into retired life without much structure or purpose.

Expert advice from the 'Doctor of Happiness'

To encourage retirees to give their retirement a ‘Glow Up’ and make sure it’s the best it can be, the Oddfellows has called on ‘Doctor of Happiness’, Dr Andy Cope to share some illuminating advice.

Andy, who spent two decades studying the science of positive psychology and human flourishing, said: “Retirement is the perfect opportunity to have a ‘psychological spring clean’. It’s a natural point where you can press pause and reflect on the next chapter of your life.” 

He added: “Too often, we spend our lives chasing goals. We accidentally kick our happiness into the long grass. For example, you think you’ll be happy when your children are older, when you move to a bigger house, when you get a different job, etc. 

“But we know that’s not true. Being happy is about living with purpose and focusing on what truly matters to you, right here, right now.”

"Doctor of Happiness", Andy Cope

Find your focus

Andy explains that the best and simplest way to make sure you are happy and fulfilled is focusing on what gives your life purpose and meaning. 

He said: “Being happy and confident isn’t about jazz hands and toxic positivity, it’s about finding your own sweet spot of what makes you happy. Think about your best life, not someone else’s.”

“Often, that’s found in human connection. The not-so-secret of happiness is to engage in simple activities, with people you love.”

Live in the moment

It’s important to remember the present moment is all we have. As we get older there is often a focus on slowing down physically, but as you become less active, you can learn to be more present.

Andy explained: “Focusing on the moment will help you appreciate the important things. For example, you may have read your grandchild a bedtime story a hundred times. If you’re not careful, it can become routine. Being present changes everything. Challenge yourself to make it the best bedtime story, and the whole event comes to life – for you and your grandchild!

"This goes beyond simply having fun but giving you that inner glow."

...asking yourself what you want ‘To Be’ today is incredibly powerful

Andy’s retirement wellbeing tips are to shift your focus away from your ‘to-do’ list towards what he calls your to-be’ list. 

He said: “We all have ‘To Do’ lists and they are often quite mundane tasks. But asking yourself what you want ‘To Be’ today is incredibly powerful. It allows you to focus on experiences rather than actions. 

“Who am I being while I’m going about my day?’ is a really big question that allows you to focus on the kind of person you want to be. Once you step into ‘best self mode’ relationships seem to blossom and everything feels easier.”

He added: “A ‘To Be’ list also allows you to take more responsibility for your own wellbeing.

“It shapes how you are going to react to the events of the day, gives you more resilience and more enthusiasm about things.” 

Your happiness is bigger than you

Of course, it’s easy to do none of this. It’s easy to settle into mediocrity but the clincher is Andy's suggestion that giving your retirement a ‘Glow Up’ is good for you and those around you. 

Andy explained: “Human emotions create a ripple effect. When you’re feeling amazing that sets off a chain reaction that reaches three degrees of people removed from you.” 

The message here is to raise your positivity and enthusiasm for the benefit of those around you.

Andy says: “The headline news is that people will ‘catch’ how you feel. Put that in the context of the Oddfellows and the ripple effect becomes a tidal wave of positivity.

"Imagine a group of Oddfellows get together, all there to have a good time and be positive, there will be a shared sense of flourishing. Not only will it make the experience more enjoyable, but someone who was perhaps struggling that day will feel that vibrancy when they come along. They take that good feeling home and pass it on to their nearest and dearest.”

Andy’s final message is a rallying call to retirees. 

He said: “It’s easy to immerse yourself in the news and grumble about the state of the world. But if you embrace some simple top tips from the science of positive psychology – BE more, practice gratitude, make an effort to stay connected and embrace the present moment – your very best years lie ahead.”

Oddfellows friendship groups

The Oddfellows friendship groups are here to help you explore what’s possible in retirement – at your own pace and in your own way.

You’ll find friendly faces, interesting events, chances to volunteer, and group holidays to look forward to.

There’s also wellbeing advice and plenty of opportunities to feel more connected.

With 96 branches across the country, we're always ready to welcome new members to our local Oddfellows friendship groups.

You can find your nearest by using our Branch Finder, or use our Events Finder to search for social events and activities happening near to where you live or online. Around 750 events are held across the country each month.

There are also regular online open days to find out more about the Society and the benefits of membership. 

Request your free information pack and local events diary by contacting us. 

About Dr Andy Cope

Andy is a keynote speaker, best-selling author and ‘recovering academic’. A regular on radio and TV, he specialises in positive psychology and the science of human flourishing. The reward for grinding out his PhD is that Andy gets to call himself a Dr of Happiness.

Andy’s mission is to change the narrative and re-focus psychology away from what’s wrong with people to what’s right. His messages act as a gentle nudge towards people taking charge of their own mental health. 

His work is showcased at www.artofbrilliance.co.uk 

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