Retirement... throwing in the towel or shifting into high gear? (physically, retired)

[Dave_n_Tenn]

I'm of the "age" where I watching many retire who can no longer get-er-done or who are ready to take the reins off. I see myself more of a marathon runner who has enough kick to sprint to the finish line. I'm primed, ready and able but also realize there is a finish line, and this is the end of the race... but I have no intention to have a contrived slow down.

How was it for y'all? Time to cool the jets? or take your foot off the brake on the downhill side of life?

[jrkliny]

Whoa. Did you wake up too early and have too many cups of coffee? Maybe you could make your point with fewer bad and trite analogies.

When I retired, I had no feeling that my life was nearing the end. Instead I felt I had all new opportunities. I no longer had to spend most of my time working for a living. I started to travel, learn photography and pursue other interests. I have taken a lot of courses mostly in the arts and in areas completely different than my former technical career.

If you are approaching retirement, I suggest you start planning for your future. Think about what you want to learn and what you want to do and accomplish when you have more time free of the necessity of working.

[countryswan]

Retirement is the end of working at a job "9 to 5".

Now you're the boss of you.

Make a bucket list.

You sound like an energetic person, so the list ought to be interesting.

Just write down 6 things, and add to it later.

Show us your list if you'd like, it might just inspire others.

[StealthRabbit]

You might find yourself not QUITE as capable as you age... so time to ACCEPT cooling the jets (if need be).

I find I need to be a bit more cautious. My Grandpa fell off the tractor at age 92, when he was doing a crazy dangerous repair, so I don't want to go that route!

I do less roofing these days (no healthcare or life insurance)
But I am often on the roof / in trees with chain saws / ride not so tame horses / and very QUICKLY riding my 45 yr old racing motorcycles. Just all a bit less crazy...

I don't need to prove anything to anyone or myself... I am quite capable of checking out on my own. (no assistance needed or required)

I like to take a nap during mid-day and contemplate 'adventure'. (safer than getting crazy actually doing it)

[FIREin2016]

Retirement is like graduation. You went to high-school, college, graduate school, or a similar path to get a career. That career was only the means to gather financial assets to glide to the path of retirement.

So, when you think of it, it is a journey, and you are just beginning.

[countryswan]

Nice one, FIRE 👏👏👏👏👏

[saralvr]

Agree with FIRE. Well said.

[ReachTheBeach]

OP, are you questioning others or hoping to convince yourself?

My plan was to be more physically active than may be possible, but that doesn't mean I will be sedentary.

[jrkliny]

Originally Posted by FIREin2016

.....to gather financial assets to glide to the path of retirement.

......

I don't consider this to be a reasonable plan. Gliding to retirement sounds like going downhill towards death. I prefer to think of life as an adventure filled with excitement, learning and accomplishments. Retirement permits even more variety in those pursuits.

[RiverBird]

Some things easily slide down hill, like too much time on housework and cooking and other chores, and other things ramp up, like travel and adventure. The fly in the ointment is health issues. The slightest health problem can slow down the adventure, but not always. I see seniors in walkers and wheelchairs and even on oxygen who refuse to give in to their limitations. They love life and take whatever chance they can to live it up. They don't whine or complain that they can't walk, can't drive, etc. Feisty attitudes!