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I look forward to retirement as coming full circle back to a time somewhat like pre-teenage years, where we weren’t working, and could explore so many interesting things—art, music, sports, friendships, cooking, gardening, travel, and any intellectual pursuits, such as learning about architecture, etc.
That's pretty much how our retirement is. With the exception of some volunteer work and some writing/editing projects--which are not work, but pleasure.
I adore sleeping in on occasion. Hated that 6 AM alarm going off so much. I am NOT a morning person at all.
Prior to retirement, when one is sitting in the office on a nice day, it's only natural to daydream about escaping into a host of activities one would rather be doing - and envision themselves doing daily, when they retire and 'have enough time.'
But, after retirement, when one actually has all the time in the world to do whatever they want, daydreams of escaping into a flurry of daily activities wane. After a few years, many find that they have done all the fishing, golf, travel, shopping, reading, etc. that they want to do. Then is when one truly needs a vision of how they will meaningfully spend the rest of their lives.
You're going to do exactly what you did before retirement. If you play cards and tennis, then you'll play cards and tennis after retiring. I always watched a lot of TV and still do. I have more than enough to fill my day with projects, hobbies and volunteering.
Just bought another boat, and have some electronics to install.
The retirees that are doomed to death soon after retiring are the ones without hobbies or skills.
All they had were the social and productivity aspects of employment.
Leaving that without a hobby or outside relationships is a mistake many make. This is common knowledge yet they do it anyway.
I have friends that moved into "planned old-people developments". I don't want or need a forced activity scene where neighbors ride bikes and have sushi parties together. I'd rather be among a regular cross section of people.
Have to run. Have some staining to do.
I agree. It was different getting use to relaxing in the beginning. But do to a broken ankle within the first few months of retirement (mountain biking with the dogs) I got use to taking it easy. My job was fast paced and physically demanding. Now, no alarm clock. Walk the dogs almost every day. Take my time in the mornings with my coffee and GMA!!! Life is GREAT!. As someone else said, I did plan to ride my horse a lot more often in the summer months but after my accident, with my hip bothering me, I didn't do that as much as I had planned. Back to walking the dogs. Maybe more horseback riding this summer ???? Love retirement!!
I imagine that I will have time to do the things I did before I started working, like taking things apart with my dad's hammer to see what's inside and setting army men on fire with paint thinner
Prior to retirement, when one is sitting in the office on a nice day, it's only natural to daydream about escaping into a host of activities one would rather be doing - and envision themselves doing daily, when they retire and 'have enough time.'
But, after retirement, when one actually has all the time in the world to do whatever they want, daydreams of escaping into a flurry of daily activities wane. After a few years, many find that they have done all the fishing, golf, travel, shopping, reading, etc. that they want to do. Then is when one truly needs a vision of how they will meaningfully spend the rest of their lives.
Sounds like an existential crisis. I have not felt that way at all in my 7 or 8 years of retirement.
Sounds like an existential crisis. I have not felt that way at all in my 7 or 8 years of retirement.
I'm starting to feel like the only person in this forum whose main goal in life was to not go to the hospital at 11p every night! Of course, I've only been retired for ten days now and am trying to rev up to get ready to move but the main thing I thought of with retirement, despite all my plans, was to not go to the job and grind my teeth anymore. And one could even say that my job was often productive but, enough. Work took so much out of me that I am going to do whatever I want (or not do) as long as I want (or don't want) and that is that.
I'm starting to feel like the only person in this forum whose main goal in life was to not go to the hospital at 11p every night! Of course, I've only been retired for ten days now and am trying to rev up to get ready to move but the main thing I thought of with retirement, despite all my plans, was to not go to the job and grind my teeth anymore. And one could even say that my job was often productive but, enough. Work took so much out of me that I am going to do whatever I want (or not do) as long as I want (or don't want) and that is that.
I agree with that and feel the same way! - work took so much out of me, and I'm thrilled not to be working every single day!
I'm starting to feel like the only person in this forum whose main goal in life was to not go to the hospital at 11p every night! Of course, I've only been retired for ten days now and am trying to rev up to get ready to move but the main thing I thought of with retirement, despite all my plans, was to not go to the job and grind my teeth anymore. And one could even say that my job was often productive but, enough. Work took so much out of me that I am going to do whatever I want (or not do) as long as I want (or don't want) and that is that.
I loved my last job and only retired because I had to, but I feel the same way. I put my time in and I am going to do what i darn well please now.
Yes, I agree. But both sets of our parents and others we have known didn't think about retirement before they retired, didn't have any sort of plan and ended up 'wasting' away mentally and physically earlier than they should have.
That is the entirety of my plan - to sit around and do nothing, or read, or binge-watch TV. Or just sit and do nothing some more.
You may call it "wasting away". I call it "SWEET SWEET FREEDOM!"
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I haven't told Mrs. G of my plans yet but...
