To those who retired early: Do you feel guilty? (friend, best, older)

[youcef]

Thanks Tesage, for your reply, maybe what you say is what is deep inside me.
However, I do feel like someone who deserted the battle while others are still fighting.
The feeling of guilt comes from here!
It is true that I used to find self satisfaction when my job was well done.
I am not the kind of waiting for material rewards, a smile is enough.
Volunteering among charity associations is a noble human action; I’ll go for it, all the way.
Thanks again.

[Raza51]

Yea I am in so depressed, I can't seem to get out of bed before 0600, and feel so bad when I sit at the table and read the daily paper.Then listen to the radio about all the new construction on the highways, and which streets are closed. Then I drag my "lazy **s down to the shower, get dressed, and while sitting on the chair putting on my Harley Davidson boots and Harley Davidson jeans and shirt on, I try to stay focused and remember when I was working, and think WOW 1 day of retirement is better than any coffee break I ever had at work. WORK SUCKS RETIREMENT IS GREAT...I LIVE TO RIDE and RIDE TO LIVE
Oh yea do I regret retiring early........duh NOT EVER....

[Retired Law 08]

Originally Posted by Raza51

Yea I am in so depressed, I can't seem to get out of bed before 0600, and feel so bad when I sit at the table and read the daily paper.Then listen to the radio about all the new construction on the highways, and which streets are closed. Then I drag my "lazy **s down to the shower, get dressed, and while sitting on the chair putting on my Harley Davidson boots and Harley Davidson jeans and shirt on, I try to stay focused and remember when I was working, and think WOW 1 day of retirement is better than any coffee break I ever had at work. WORK SUCKS RETIREMENT IS GREAT...I LIVE TO RIDE and RIDE TO LIVE
Oh yea do I regret retiring early........duh NOT EVER....

excellent post...feel the same way...

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by Raza51

Yea I am in so depressed, I can't seem to get out of bed before 0600, and feel so bad when I sit at the table and read the daily paper.Then listen to the radio about all the new construction on the highways, and which streets are closed. Then I drag my "lazy **s down to the shower, get dressed, and while sitting on the chair putting on my Harley Davidson boots and Harley Davidson jeans and shirt on, I try to stay focused and remember when I was working, and think WOW 1 day of retirement is better than any coffee break I ever had at work. WORK SUCKS RETIREMENT IS GREAT...I LIVE TO RIDE and RIDE TO LIVE
Oh yea do I regret retiring early........duh NOT EVER....

So what you're saying is you don't ride your bike to the Viva Viagra song?

I noticed my sick day excuse creativity has deteriorated since I retired. I hear it's the first skill to go right after the ability to set the alarm clock. I reflect on this BRUTAL aspect of aging while I'm not scraping ice off my windshield in the dark at 6:00A in January and attribute it to retirement guilt.

[Raza51]

For as many years as I can remember, non-government employees use to tell me how easy I had it. Even though they never worked for the Govt. They were exactly right. I now look back and think what a gravy train this was, I had never been able to say I worked my butt off and say it with a straight face. So even today as I look back on my 1st year of freedom, I just say I put my time in at the "Map Factory". For the last year I worked I had a ringtone on my phone.....Take this job and shove it....Johnny Paycheck.....that got some attention. .....I say to all if you can do it go for it and maybe we'll cross paths on the road, I'll be the one on my 2008 Harley Davidson Heritage Classic with my soulmate ( KC)grinning like hell....
Be safe and enjoy
Chico

PS Viva Viagra ????? Whats that????

Youcef....You need a Harley....

[AlohaMarie]

Retirement is blissful. I have so many favorite things that I do and am never bored. A slow cup of coffee in the morning is heaven on earth.........as is visiting with family and not thinking about what is waiting for me to do. Travel at a slow pace; cooking; even exercise can be enjoyable. Celebrate every day....from the small "normal" tasks to the great adventures.
Marie

[Retired Law 08]

Originally Posted by AlohaMarie

Retirement is blissful. I have so many favorite things that I do and am never bored. A slow cup of coffee in the morning is heaven on earth.........as is visiting with family and not thinking about what is waiting for me to do. Travel at a slow pace; cooking; even exercise can be enjoyable. Celebrate every day....from the small "normal" tasks to the great adventures.
Marie

very well said and true...I feel like I hit lotto...

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by coartist88

very well said and true...I feel like I hit lotto...

Me too, now completing two full years in retirement at age 56. I feel like I hit lotto too.

Nothing like the freedom, and I have zero guilt.

[Tesaje]

Originally Posted by Raza51

For as many years as I can remember, non-government employees use to tell me how easy I had it. Even though they never worked for the Govt. They were exactly right. I now look back and think what a gravy train this was, I had never been able to say I worked my butt off and say it with a straight face. So even today as I look back on my 1st year of freedom, I just say I put my time in at the "Map Factory".

I can't say that. I keep telling my boss I shouldn't be having to work this hard so near to retirement. Where's my RIP? Maybe you got to coast, but I've been working hard for 30 years and it doesn't look it will let up for my last year. But feel guilty when I go - nah!

[Retired Law 08]

yes,,,zero guilt...paid my dues...and earned mine the old fashioned way..
hard work and determination ...having a plan and a goal...