Everyday Ordinary Man Approaching Full Retirement at 59.

fatbeetle

I work in mental health mate, so I need to be somewhat circumspect, mainly around the clients.

In my last week, when all the paperwork has been signed off and deposited, I'll have a few choice words for some of my colleagues.

Davesnave

In my case, there was only sadness, not only at leaving so many fine colleagues behind, but because in the final year or so I was witness to some very unpleasant professional misconduct, none of it directed at me.

Fortunately, not only do I still see many of those I worked with, but the upsetting situation eventually brought much good in its wake. However, I didn't dream of how matters would play out at the time. It was such an alien experience, and my own reaction to it was not as it should have been initially; something that continues to haunt me.

Also, it was only when Friends Reunited took off that I learned how those on the other side of the desk really felt! It made for some interesting reading; on the whole very positive, but the few negatives worried me. Mostly, they were centred on matters far removed from those we'd wrangled over as professionals.

jamesperrett

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Don't blame you for doing a countdown. I certainly did...

I started off counting weeks, then days and just now realised that I've got less than 120 working hours left.

Misslayed

jamesperrett wrote: »

I started off counting weeks, then days and just now realised that I've got less than 120 working hours left.

:beer: :j:T

System

Dear all
I will provide an update in the next few days.
Thanks.

bournefree

Dear Exelpaul,

Just returned from holiday on a sundrenched and windswept Crete - thought of you and also reflected that I have one year to go..

fatbeetle

Just changed my monitor sticker to "15" (weeks of work left.)

moneyistooshorttomention

The thing that might astonish you after retiring is just how rarely you think of the place too.

I thought I'd frequently think "Thank goodness I don't have to go in there any more" - but I rarely do (though that's how I feel).

Though, it has to be said, that maybe some of that is I'm no longer living where I was working - as I moved across country soon after retirement. Maybe I'd think that more often if I had visual reminders at frequent intervals??

pollypenny

I miss the buzz of results days, A-level tomorrow & GCSE next week, and the subject.

Don't miss the bureaucracy and the marking, though.

joansgirl

I hope nobody minds me jumping on this thread

I haven't read it all but it looks like a good place to be. I am on the threshold of retirement, it will be my decision when to do it. I'm 60 and a half and the thought of continuing in my job til 66 is killing me

I drastically cut back my hours last year but....I want out. I want to not work. I want to be my own boss.

I get 2 smallish pensions at the moment with one pending, probably will be getting it soon rather than saving it for later. I have a nest egg stashed away, more than enough to support me til state retirement age, even without the pensions. No mortgage.

I've done me sums, I can maintain my current standard of living for the foreseeable future. I just need to take that final step.

Watch this space