Just retired…

Sunsh1ne54

Keep_pedalling said:

It is a big change and it affects people in different ways. When I retired from a stressful job it was a an absolute joy and I have loved the last 10 years of freedom and being busy doing things I love. My wife on the other hand really struggled with the change and suffered from quite a bit of anxiety in the first few years. 

I hope I’m just tired and once I’ve allowed myself a couple of weeks to chill I’ll be ready to enjoy my new found freedom. I hope your wife is enjoying her retirement now. 

Silvertabby

8 years on, and still loving it.  Lots of interests and hobbies, and do a couple of crosswords every day to keep 'the little grey cells' ticking over 

Plus the advantages of doing what you want to do when you want to do it.  And being able to book tradesmen etc without the hassle of taking time off work.  

Sunsh1ne54

Silvertabby said:

8 years on, and still loving it.  Lots of interests and hobbies, and do a couple of crosswords every day to keep 'the little grey cells' ticking over 

Plus the advantages of doing what you want to do when you want to do it.  And being able to book tradesmen etc without the hassle of taking time off work.  

Sounds perfect! I just didn’t realise how frazzled I would feel in my first week of freedom! 😂 

Silvertabby

Sunsh1ne54 said:

Silvertabby said:

8 years on, and still loving it.  Lots of interests and hobbies, and do a couple of crosswords every day to keep 'the little grey cells' ticking over 

Plus the advantages of doing what you want to do when you want to do it.  And being able to book tradesmen etc without the hassle of taking time off work.  

Sounds perfect! I just didn’t realise how frazzled I would feel in my first week of freedom! 😂 

It's a big adjustment - just give yourself time.

I don't think it really kicked in with me until I stopped looking at blouses etc and thinking 'that would be nice for work'!

Sunsh1ne54

Silvertabby said:

Sunsh1ne54 said:

Silvertabby said:

8 years on, and still loving it.  Lots of interests and hobbies, and do a couple of crosswords every day to keep 'the little grey cells' ticking over 

Plus the advantages of doing what you want to do when you want to do it.  And being able to book tradesmen etc without the hassle of taking time off work.  

Sounds perfect! I just didn’t realise how frazzled I would feel in my first week of freedom! 😂 

It's a big adjustment - just give yourself time.

I don't think it really kicked in with me until I stopped looking at blouses etc and thinking 'that would be nice for work'!

I’m finding myself going into the office/spare bedroom thinking I’ll just check my work phone!! Stop already 😂 And yes, I’m realising I don’t need those work tops/blouses any more! Lots of little things

33scott

Let us know how you get on.
I'm exactly 6 months behind you and can't wait to join the club.

Sunsh1ne54

33scott said:

Let us know how you get on.
I'm exactly 6 months behind you and can't wait to join the club.

Will do! Piece of advice, start sorting out your workload early and if you need to, anything that’ll help your successor. I did but still felt a bit overwhelmed with things the closer my retirement date got! 

Nebulous2

It's early days, you'll get over that hurdle eventually.

I'm not a good example. I very quickly decided I wasn't ready for retirement, and took a part-time job. Three years on (Is it really?) and I've become used to the routine, and the money, and am still working 1-2 days a week. 

My work, whether it was going well or not, always gave me a huge sense of purpose, and I think that was what I missed, and hadn't planned for.

I think a big break would have helped, possibly  a month's holiday, a regular contributor here did a Lands End to John O Groats cycle ride, anything significant and different to provide a distinct barrier between two different lives.

Instead I just mooched around thinking what do I do now? In my defence I stopped during covid, so many of these things would have been more difficult. 

Sunsh1ne54

Nebulous2 said:

It's early days, you'll get over that hurdle eventually.

I'm not a good example. I very quickly decided I wasn't ready for retirement, and took a part-time job. Three years on (Is it really?) and I've become used to the routine, and the money, and am still working 1-2 days a week. 

My work, whether it was going well or not, always gave me a huge sense of purpose, and I think that was what I missed, and hadn't planned for.

I think a big break would have helped, possibly  a month's holiday, a regular contributor here did a Lands End to John O Groats cycle ride, anything significant and different to provide a distinct barrier between two different lives.

Instead I just mooched around thinking what do I do now? In my defence I stopped during covid, so many of these things would have been more difficult. 

I’m too tired to even consider going back to work. I’m sure it’ll pass and I’ll be full of energy so I can actually start enjoying my retirement. We’re all different and if working helps then keep going. After 43 years I can’t see me going back though, been there, done that as they say. I have lots of creative hobbies and a few holidays lined up. 

Linton

It is important that you get other things to fill your time, keep your brain active and meet other people. Dont mooch around watching day time TV!

I completed 2 OU degrees and did volunteer car driving - taking people for hospital appointments etc.  There are plenty of opportunities.  We also bought a narrowboat and spent several months each year exploring the waterways.