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I recently retired and still am thinking like I am working. For instance I am thinking that I only have one more day off until Monday when I do not have work anymore. I am still scheduling things for the days I used to have off each week. I still am thinking that weekends are special when they are just like any other day where I live. I live among a lot of retired people so there is nothing to judge the days with.
One thing I noticed immediately is that my mind is clear when I go to sleep. I used to go over the day's work, think about what I needed to do tomorrow and the rest of the week. Now the only things on my calendar are doctor and dentist appointments.
I find myself in my old routines like going to bed at a certain time so that I can get at least 7 hours sleep before I had to get off for work. So far I just do not feel retired. How long before you get a retirement mind?
When I retired the second time, it took about a month to get settled into a new routine.
Suddenly, doing things mid-week in lieu of weekends became the norm. Costco at 10 AM on Tuesday is a breeze compared to Saturday afternoons.
But after about a month, I realized that I still needed to be needed. My wife had the same discovery. Otherwise every day is Groundhog day.
My wife, who is a retired RN fulfills that need by volunteering at the medical clinic at the homeless shelter, and I was enticed by my previous employer to work part time.
What I learned is that I cannot turn off my mind and I still love solving puzzles. I really missed working every day with brilliant people. So for me, a part time gig at just 20 hours per week was perfect. I also have a fresh 24 year old apprentice to train. I can have him do all the stuff that is routine while I concentrate on the stuff that requires experience and thinking.
Working just 20 hours (12% load) per week still leaves me with plenty of time to do other things. I think I've found a great balance. Oh, and the pay is awesome.
Two years ago when I retired I just abused my golf clubs. That helped me settle into retirement. The wife worked and I drove her there and picked her up after work. It was then I became the LYFT driver for the house with no pay. LOL
lol, I'm on a 17 month countdown and my mind is already on retirement.
At my job we have these end of year progress reports, we go over the previous years accomplishments and set goals for the next year. I am sooo tempted to write "my goal for 2019 is to do as little as possible, to take every last bit of my time and to have my knee replaced while on company healthcare. lol
lol, I'm on a 17 month countdown and my mind is already on retirement.
At my job we have these end of year progress reports, we go over the previous years accomplishments and set goals for the next year. I am sooo tempted to write "my goal for 2019 is to do as little as possible, to take every last bit of my time and to have my knee replaced while on company healthcare. lol
I rested for about the first 6 months. Just tootled doing what I wanted. During that time and the next six months I did major projects that were serious physical work.
After that I was ready to get onto other activities.
So my guess is you go through a transition mode ~ 6 months
When I first retired from a university, due to a very stressful job, I slept 16 hours a day for weeks. Routine? What routine? Being retired, you can do what you want, when you want to. So your days and nights might become all messed up. But that wont matter at all. Retirement is great fun! It's like being a little kid, but you are the boss. Enjoy!
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