It's now almost five months since I retired at age 61, and my wife's advice proved to be correct. "Don't retire in the autumn", she'd said.
The rationale behind this is that long nights, short days, and bad weather curtail your ability to do things, and aren't good for your mental health. The transition from being permanently occupied to being able to do whatever you want (within affordability constraints) is harder if the weather is constraining you. She was, of course, 100% correct.
This year England had the hottest, driest summer on record - not good in very many respects but great from the perspective of someone recently freed from the shackles of employment. From simple cost-free things like reading a book in the garden or walking the Malvern Hills - although I have to admit to now knowing the opening times of many of the pubs and cafes on the hills, so not entirely cost free - to taking spontaneous short beach holidays… all of these things are made better by the weather and long hours of daylight.
Since returning in mid-September from a wonderful (and eye wateringly expensive) holiday in Switzerland, things have been tougher. The weather and my enthusiasm have both deteriorated. A sad but not unexpected family bereavement (and the resulting amount of stress and hassle caring for an elderly widow from a distance brings) has contributed to my sinking mood.
So in summary, from my experience if you retire in the autumn or winter make sure you go on a really nice and very long holiday straight away, but even better, retire in the spring; a season of growth, hope and optimism.