Feb 21 2009
Two Year Transition to Retired Lifestyle
Although I’ve now been “retired” for two years, I feel like the “retired” lifestyle is just now becoming comfortable to me.
Every time I drive into town I realize how happy I am that I do not have to make that daily commute.
Every time I see a new business starting up and I feel the slightest “urge” to see if they need any help, I quickly SQUELCH that feeling with a reality check.
I am sixty-two years old, and I am not willing to work with 20-somethings on a daily basis. What a relief it is to associate with people my own age, and, when I WANT to, I can hang out with the younger generation….if for no other reason than to remind myself that “I’ve been there…done that” and really want no part of the working world again.
I know that I would still be a valued employee. Employers tell me ALL THE TIME that my generation brings a completely different “work ethic” to the job, and they would welcome me back into the workforce ANYTIME!
I guess I enjoy the feeling that I might be able to contribute something, but the price seems too high. I really enjoy my freedom now, and, for the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, my time belongs to me! I’ve always worked for someone else…mostly the government, and government agencies and supervisors act like they OWN you when you work for them.
This transition from “Working man” to “Retiree” has involved intellectual, emotional and physical changes. Be prepared to deal with all three when you are ready to “hang up your hat” or whatever expression suits your occupation.
I didn’t just forget about my office immediately; there were some months while I continued to keep in touch with the staff and discuss projects that I had been working on. I read quite a bit about the transition to retirement and I expected the WORST! Although I admit that my mental state and emotions were at times confused, directionless, and undisciplined, I enjoyed the break from work. For quite a few months I just felt like I was on an extended vacation and that I would be returning to the office.
During the first year I alternated between SURGES OF ENERGY with no outlet, to physical EXHAUSTION, numerous aches and pains, real and imagined, and lack of ambition. Whew! I’m glad I realized that lack of ambition is not a crime when you are retired! On my WORST days, which were few and far between, I did feel worthless, useless, unwanted and totally without any remaining purpose in living. That sounds like a guy in his 80’s, not 60, and those feelings never lasted for long. I enjoy life too much, and I found that GETTING OUTSIDE and breathing REAL AIR, worked wonders for my moods.
I am now two years removed from the workplace. No longer at a loss for energy, intellectual or physical, and with plenty of outlets for both, I do love retired life!
Ya know Doug, I didn’t contact my office for the first 2 years. I was afraid I would quit retirement and return. My colleges didn’t believe I could quit. A few my age couldn’t retire - McMansions & all.
Now I have been retired 8 years - not worked for 6 and really don’t miss it. The 2 years difference allowed me to pay off all my bills and live within my means.
As things have progressed I wish I had one of those mansions, seems like if you can’t pay for it the banks are going to reduce the principal - wonderful life as long as other people can afford you!
My only real problem was/is physical energy, I started out lifting weights fun - but I screwed up my back after six months. Treadmill, I hate the damn thing. Did OK with it reading books but finding the kinds of books I like is difficult - know any good Science Fiction? Now I’m using a Wii - I have a Wii Fit that keeps track of my weight and a training program that tries to kill me each morning. The programs that come with the Wii Fit are not very intensive, but I found the personal trainer - “My Fitness Coach” by Ubisoft to be pretty good.
I recommend the Nintendo Wii for anyone over 60! It should be included as a retirement bonus.
Hi Doug,
I’ve given your blog an award (sorry it’s not money to fix that tooth!). Please visit at http://www.whybenormal.today.com to retrieve your award.
I watched my dad “retire” at least three times before it “took”. The first time, it was essentially a forced retirement - the company he’d worked for all his life decided to outsource their delivery and eliminated his department entirely. With over 30 years under his belt, he was in a position to retire and live well - but that lasted all of six months, which is how long it took him and other guys from his shop to set up their own delivery company and win the contract back from the service that had taken it over. The second time, he retired on his own terms, but found that he was bored out of his skull at home and returned to work as an employee in the company he’d helped found. Now he’s been “honestly” retired for over five years and loves every second of it. I think he just wasn’t ready yet the first two times.