Four working days to go before early retirement! How did you feel at this stage?

gadgetmind

Dunnit wrote: »

Jobs for life went 25 years ago.

I just had someone leave after 22 years working for me, a fair few others are around the 20 year mark, and my official HR "continuous employment" figure is 25 years.

Meanwhile, out in California, we're getting howls of protest for introducing a share option scheme where you don't get anything if you leave within 3 years.

Globalisation has its critics, but it should (eventually!) even up the playing field.

gfplux

I retired (paid to go away with some bad feeling) 17 years ago at 53 from a fairly high powered and very stressful Job. I had seen this coming for some time and had planned accordingly.
The first couple of years were slightly difficult firstly as my wife and I got used to seeing each other every day as I had spent much of the previous years travelling internationally and with my own private demons at being "cast aside"
However life has been good and is good and I have probably not been fitter, healthier or happier than I am today.

magspots

melanzana wrote: »

Hello everyone.

On Friday 25 July I will leave my post of 36 years.

It was an amazing journey. I am elated about my decision, but a bit emotional too.

I handed in notice early in June for the early retirement package. Hand on heart I have not had any misgivings. It's right for me.

But I have had messages, and emails, and cards by the bucketload over the last week, and it is quite emotional.

But when I'm gone out the door, that's it. And we will all move on.

I am really looking forward to a new adventure.

Just wondered if anyone out there had similar feelings coming up to the last day at work?

Well I retire and reach retirement age next month and have very mixed feelings. On the one hand, I will be free to do whatever I want, which is great but on the other, I can't imagine life being one long jolly. I'll probably join U3A. The summer time will be great but I'm still a bit dubious about the winter.

kidmugsy

magspots wrote: »

The summer time will be great but I'm still a bit dubious about the winter.

A winter sunshine break to Madeira early in January is a Capital Remedy for the winter blues.

kidmugsy

I went out to dinner with some ex-colleagues recently: it was a pleasure to see them, but. One looked pretty knackered, and is accordingly about to take retirement a little early. Two are much too young for that, but to hear them chatting about bureaucratic stress made me pretty glad to be out of it. One seemed reasonably bouncy, but I know he's pretty frustrated at work. They are all intelligent, highly qualified people, one a CEO. Eventually enough is enough.

kidmugsy

kidmugsy wrote: »

A winter sunshine break to Madeira early in January is a Capital Remedy for the winter blues.

And if your pocket runs to it, at least one January should be spent looking at NZ.

atush

Certainly looked enticing to me reading ML's blog.

melanzana

magspots wrote: »

Well I retire and reach retirement age next month and have very mixed feelings. On the one hand, I will be free to do whatever I want, which is great but on the other, I can't imagine life being one long jolly. I'll probably join U3A. The summer time will be great but I'm still a bit dubious about the winter.

Hi magspots. I started the thread way back in July.

I cannot believe that 5 months have passed so soon, time never went that quickly when I was working, I can assure you!

Anyway, all is good, and your misgivings are normal. Life is never a jolly all day every day is it, whether working or not?

But when you are retired, you can do whatever you like, or do nothing at all aswell. Your choice.

I can honestly say that I have not felt one bit bored or restless, or missing work, or had time on my hands since I retired early. Ever. I am so totally amazed by that, as I did not plan any other activities post retirement either. I decided that if I did nothing, I would soon get bored and do something!

I got involved with a "meet and greet" group for tourists in our city over the Summer. That was voluntary, and I absolutely loved it. Made lots of friends through it too. It will be up and running again at Easter and the Summer 2015, so I will be doing that.

Am just back from 10 days in Nice. The weather was fantastic, the Christmas markets were up and running both there and in Cannes. I felt I was a million miles away. I certainly will go away before Christmas again, it is a great way to avoid the madness at home! Flights were 20quid each way, and a friend gave us use of his apartment. All good.

Just sit back, relax and don't worry about being bored. You will NOT be. Even the quiet days are good. Read that book, research your family tree (that is addictive, so be sure about it before you start!), visit places around you that you never had time to before now.

The world is your oyster. Enjoy it! Many would kill you for the opportunity to be FREE....

And the very best of luck with your retirement. And remember, if Winter's here, can Spring be far behind? You have the Spring and all that brings to look forward to in a short few weeks time. Enjoy.

X

Goldiegirl

It is done - I left my job today and can now class myself as 'early retired':j


To be honest, I feel a bit strange this evening - not as euphoric as I thought I might feel, but as if a weight has been removed from my shoulders - it's such a relief!


I think it'll take a while to sink in that I don't have to go back to work.


I've enjoyed reading about everyone's retirement experiences, and I'm really excited about this next stage in my life.


To everyone who's just about to retire or leave work - good luck to you all, let's enjoy our new life!:beer:

melanzana

Goldiegirl wrote: »

It is done - I left my job today and can now class myself as 'early retired':j


To be honest, I feel a bit strange this evening - not as euphoric as I thought I might feel, but as if a weight has been removed from my shoulders - it's such a relief!


I think it'll take a while to sink in that I don't have to go back to work.


I've enjoyed reading about everyone's retirement experiences, and I'm really excited about this next stage in my life.


To everyone who's just about to retire or leave work - good luck to you all, let's enjoy our new life!:beer:

Oh my.... congratulations, you've done it!

You will have the time of your life make no mistake. It's all up to you now!

You mentioned in an earlier post that you are going on a cruise on the 20th. That is the best thing ever. I did the same, not a cruise though, but a holiday that started just after I retired.

The feeling of not having to organise work stuff when I came back was the best thing ever. Life is one long holiday now!

I wish you the very best of luck, good health, happiness and enjoy it all.

X