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22 January 2026

Retired Persons Syndrome

I've just invented this 'syndrome' I suspect no health expert will know the answer! 

I recognised it in other people before I retired and I used to joke about it... but I recently started to notice that I was starting to suffer from this curable syndrome myself... no nasty drugs or injections are required you will be pleased to know. 

What are the symptoms of this? 

Any of the following:

  • You have an appointment that might only be for an hour, but you reserve the whole day for it....
  • You have an event to attend for one or two days, but you reserve the whole week for it and may be a day or two in the week before or after. 
  • You really have it bad if you have a trip planned for one week, but you don't plan anything else for the whole month...... just in case... 
You will be pleased to hear that I recognised the 'symptoms' at the early stage, having a 9:00 am appointment and then thinking I couldn't get anything else done that day. 

In my case the cure was simple, no new diary inserts were required. I just adapted how I was using my current inserts.  Instead of noting down just the start time of an appointment, I now add when I think I will finish that appointment and then be free for other jobs. 

It doesn't have to be a precise estimate, such as Haircut - 37 minutes, but just having a start and finish time to bound it is more than enough to get in to my head that the rest of the day will be free. 

I now see the value to people using the vertical week on two page format, it gives you a better pictorial representation of your busy and free times, whether you are working or retired. 


Have you ever come across this problem before? 

I will report back on my progress as long as I don't have a haircut booked that day..... ! 

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6 comments:

  1. Anonymous22 January, 2026 02:32

    This does strike a chord. I’ve certainly noticed the symptoms in parents and am probably trending there myself.
    Two things happening in one day becomes hard to contemplate. And, following the combination of, say, a grocery delivery and a medical visit, a sufferer will likely also look back and think “I’ve had a really busy day”!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. gmax22 January, 2026 02:40

      That was me btw

      Delete
    2. Steve Morton22 January, 2026 03:49

      Not knowing what day of the week it is when you wake up or during the day is another issue I've also noticed.

      Delete
  2. Sara22 January, 2026 05:12

    I'm nowhere near retirement age, but the same is very much true for going to see my GP as you never know how long you'll have to wait!

    Vertical weekly layouts are great if you want to be able to see exactly when you have a gap but, for me, a horizontal layout is much better for getting an overview of what you have on that week. Somehow I can absorb and remember my commitments much more easily if using a horizontal layout.

    ReplyDelete
  3. empressbat22 January, 2026 06:33

    I am not reitred but find myself doing this, mainly because I worry I wont get somewhere on time or that the scheduled thing will end uo going over time - so I reserve bulk unecessary large amount of time before and after the appointment.!Vertical overview is very useful for time blocking and is what I use for my work planner for that,

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tim Edwards22 January, 2026 09:20

    Although I’m past retirement age I’m still working and my diary pages look as full as ever, with meetings, appointments and ‘me’ time (to concentrate on goals and major tasks). Comparing with twenty years ago, the biggest change seems to be the far higher number of medical appointments!

    ReplyDelete