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Anyone here go from being a "workaholic" to a retiree successfully?
Did it bother you to not be collecting a traditional paycheck?
Have too much time on your hands?
Feel unproductive?
I'm interested in hearing stories, tips, whatever!
Perhaps more often with males (but not necessarily limited to males) there can be a rather deeply rooted feeling that one's status in society is related to one's job. That is what we "do" in life (engineer, carpenter, accountant, doctor, policeman, mechanic, lawyer, or whatever). The job confers legitimacy on us as human beings - it means we are earning our own keep in society, that we are not leaches or moochers, but rather contributors. It is a major part of our identity.
So when there is no more job, there is no more status and we have become a nobody. I think for some people this takes a bit of getting used to, but of course for others it may not be an issue at all. Time will often do the trick, and if we have interesting things to do - hobbies and/or other activities - we eventually get over that nagging feeling that we have no identity anymore, that we have become a nobody.
Perhaps more often with males (but not necessarily limited to males) there can be a rather deeply rooted feeling that one's status in society is related to one's job. That is what we "do" in life (engineer, carpenter, accountant, doctor, policeman, mechanic, lawyer, or whatever). The job confers legitimacy on us as human beings - it means we are earning our own keep in society, that we are not leaches or moochers, but rather contributors. It is a major part of our identity.
So when there is no more job, there is no more status and we have become a nobody. I think for some people this takes a bit of getting used to, but of course for others it may not be an issue at all. Time will often do the trick, and if we have interesting things to do - hobbies and/or other activities - we eventually get over that nagging feeling that we have no identity anymore, that we have become a nobody.
I agree and I'm female, because I've only identified myself relative to my career. I clearly need to develop a hobby quick.
Anyone here go from being a "workaholic" to a retiree successfully?
Did it bother you to not be collecting a traditional paycheck?
Have too much time on your hands?
Feel unproductive?
I'm interested in hearing stories, tips, whatever!
I could have written this post 5 years ago word for word.
This forum has helped me tremendously. Just to see that there is life after retirement, that retirement doesn't mean isolation from the world, it is what you make it.
I've always HAD to work - at the age of 15, it was to help my parents and went on from there. Always helping someone else, putting us in the background. At the same time, I loved being self employed and now I'm self employed in a different business but I still really love it. There are times I have not collected a regular check (commission based) but I have adjusted to that. The unproductive part I wrestle with; just the way I grew up so I have to work on that part.
The future of retirement is longer out for me than 5 years ago due to an adverse situation that happened to us. But, we're hanging in there, one step at a time. If you're in the OC, very much like the area I live in I'm female also - my husband is also a workaholic but he can take his business remotely, cut his hours and adapt a bit easier, I think.
I was a workaholic and retired cold-turkey four years ago; loved my job and was well-known and liked in my community. It was interesting to me to retire to a state two time-zones away where no-one knew me. It was a matter of reestablishing my identity with a whole bunch of new people, mostly retirees, who couldn't care less what I USED to do, but who know me as who I am now -- the essential me. I had a few "do you know who I am?!" moments early in my life here, but not any more.
I find fulfillment in doing volunteer projects well, in being a good friend and community member, and in living the most productive and enjoyable retirement life I possibly can. I've filled my life with things I enjoy doing that both make me happy and in some cases, that contribute to my community. And I find joy in the quiet times, just reading and relaxing. No looking back and missing my career -- enjoying my retirement and all that it brings. I earned it.
I could have written this post 5 years ago word for word.
This forum has helped me tremendously. Just to see that there is life after retirement, that retirement doesn't mean isolation from the world, it is what you make it.
I've always HAD to work - at the age of 15, it was to help my parents and went on from there. Always helping someone else, putting us in the background. At the same time, I loved being self employed and now I'm self employed in a different business but I still really love it. There are times I have not collected a regular check (commission based) but I have adjusted to that. The unproductive part I wrestle with; just the way I grew up so I have to work on that part.
The future of retirement is longer out for me than 5 years ago due to an adverse situation that happened to us. But, we're hanging in there, one step at a time. If you're in the OC, very much like the area I live in I'm female also - my husband is also a workaholic but he can take his business remotely, cut his hours and adapt a bit easier, I think.
I was a workaholic and retired cold-turkey four years ago; loved my job and was well-known and liked in my community. It was interesting to me to retire to a state two time-zones away where no-one knew me. It was a matter of reestablishing my identity with a whole bunch of new people, mostly retirees, who couldn't care less what I USED to do, but who know me as who I am now -- the essential me. I had a few "do you know who I am?!" moments early in my life here, but not any more.
I find fulfillment in doing volunteer projects well, in being a good friend and community member, and in living the most productive and enjoyable retirement life I possibly can. I've filled my life with things I enjoy doing that both make me happy and in some cases, that contribute to my community. And I find joy in the quiet times, just reading and relaxing. No looking back and missing my career -- enjoying my retirement and all that it brings. I earned it.
Did you retire because you hit a specific age or were you just done?
Did you retire because you hit a specific age or were you just done?
I retired at 65 because that had been my plan for a few years; wanted to do so while I still had my health and could travel and thoroughly enjoy my retirement. So far, so good!
Hobbies, house & yard, volunteer, golf, tennis, dogs/pets, fishing, girlfriend.
What do you *want* to do?[/quote]
Hmm, girlfriend, lol I don't work that side of the fence cause I'm female, but is fully understand why my self reported workaholic status would lead a person to assume I'm male.
Dogs, perfect, and volunteer are great ideas. Plus I've been asked to coach a woman's ice hockey team since I've played on a women's league for 14 years.
Thanks!
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Five years ago....
I'm female also - my husband is also a workaholic but he can take his business remotely, cut his hours and adapt a bit easier, I think.
