How easy is it to decide to stop?

Arthurian

I think it is a good idea to sign up with a temping agency after a lifetime of full-time work, to ease yourself into part-time work for a while. Doesn't have to be the same job you were doing, just a minimum wage, three days a week, answering the phone and admin work. It sort of parachutes you into full retirement rather than having that feeling of jumping off a cliff.

Suffolk_lass

bompey wrote: »

I appreciate all the contributions but having decided I am in the position that I could go, it now seems a very big step after 32 years of full time working to stop completely. In my line going part time or reducing hours isn’t really an option but psychologically going from 100mph to 10mph overnight is very daunting, some days I’ve had enough and I come home saying I will jack it in, and other days I get a buzz out of it.

I retired a month ago and my biggest fear was what I described as the intellectual cliff-edge I feared I was approaching. My job was very full on, very, very hard and with impending deadlines that have not been met since I left (I would not have made any difference to this, had I stayed).

Since I finished, a few things have happened:

• I was ill for the first couple of weeks - a sort of catch-up on sleep with flu-like symptoms (I did not wind down before stopping, and had not slept through the night for the last two years)
• I now sleep through the night
• I still feel a bit as though I am on holiday
• I have stopped validating myself by "what I do". I am coming to "who I am" - I realised I have previously mentally dismissed people by their occupation - a kind of profession snobbery - I see it in the eyes of others when they ask what you do, if you say you are retired (the veil of old and written off is in their eyes or their reaction)
• I am exploring a number of things that interest me and lining up some new things to do
• I am organising an event in my community
• I am reorganising my home, wardrobe, decor, possessions, finances.
• I have ordered some new doors for my house
• I have booked a 3 week holiday in the school holidays - my husband is a teacher
• I am reading, researching and considering whether to do another degree (or Masters, or PHD), or some training courses to underpin the new things I want to do
• I am enjoying the pace being a little slower. I even watched a daytime TV programme to see what all the fuss was about - not for me at this stage
• I am walking the dogs of a couple of neighbours as my rushing about lifestyle burned more calories than I am currently - I have put on a few pounds that I don't need or want to keep
• I have been weeding my garden - literally no gardeners want to do this

I am busy, but whether there is enough in it for me (or you) is still under consideration here. I can say that I don't miss it and it was the right decision and 10mph is not fast enough for all the things I want to do. Maybe 60-70mph here at the moment, consciously kicking back

My intent is to have fun and enjoy not working, with the time and energy to spend more time with friends and family. So far it is highly recommended.

crv1963

I like the comparison with driving at speed. My thoughts on the matter is rather than going to 10 mph, I intend moving from the overtaking or fast lane to the middle lane, I'm not quite ready to be a Sunday driver on a slow country lane just yet.

k6chris

The central issue is not about dropping from 100 mph to 10 mph, but from turning off the 'road to nowhere' and on to the 'lane of loveliness'. Half the speed but ten times the journey!

Parking_Trouble

I was going to start my own thread on this big decision.
I can empathise with the agonising over whether to jump or not although I am 10 years older than the OP.

Work wise I realised 3 years ago that running at 100mph was pointless and mainly benefitted my employer so I took my foot off the gas and reduced speed to 50 - 60 mph without slipping into anyone's bad books. I look after my team but stopped picking up other peoples problems and instead try to coach them.
It's amazing in todays business world how few meetings, phone conferences and emails are actually of value.
My work life balance has been very good but going through another re-organisation is about to precipitate the big decision. Unfortunately no pay off but I am fed up with telling better paid people how to do their jobs.
For my own mental health I need to stop getting annoyed with those that just don't get it but like others I do still get a buzz from knowing my !!!! and putting it to good effect.

For me though the cage door has been open since last May having reached 60, my current pension's NRD. Now plucking up the courage to step outside the cage.
Previous 2-3 years getting the finances sorted. I know exactly how much we need to maintain current lifestyle, minus the frivolous spending.
Ploughed heavily into AVCs. Now debt free. Taking the pension, plus salary (with heavy tax bill).

Wife (5 years younger and work P/T) transferred a deferred DB pension to a SIPP and I have accrued enough savings to cover 5 years of living costs.
I will have to dip into savings until state pension in 5 years to make up a slight shortfall although we could tighten our belts a bit further.

Everything seems to point to stepping outside the cage into freedom but losing a lot of easy money and stepping outside the risk averse comfort blanket, having to keep myself busy (other than the wife's task list) and being under the wife's feet.

Everyone I know is happy in retirement and doesn't miss work. Several went on good pay offs at age 50-53.
I'm fed up with work and mentally switched off. I can afford to stop. I can keep myself busy doing stuff I want to do.

What's stopping me?

*Ramble ends*

Triumph13

k6chris wrote: »

The central issue is not about dropping from 100 mph to 10 mph, but from turning off the 'road to nowhere' and on to the 'lane of loveliness'. Half the speed but ten time the journey!

Best of all you can stop wherever you like on the lane of loveliness and take time out to hike up the hill of happiness - not only does the exercise do you good, but the view is magnificent.
In the 4 months since retirement I have lost 3/4 of a stone and the improvement in my fitness is off the charts - I can't believe the ease with which I have just chopped and stacked next winter's firewood!