• Most people I talk to, who consider themselves successfully retired, claim that they have never been busier.
• Most also say that they didn't plan to be busy.

• Be prepared for things NOT happening like you expect
• Enjoy the results and consider yourself successful
• Keep your Rolodex just in case

 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I retired at 55 (I'm 57 now) and I'm loving every minute.

The secret (imo) is to have something interesting and challenging to do, which absorbs you and keeps you busy.

I puppy walk for Guide Dogs - see the link to my blog, below. It's fascinating, challenging, time consuming and sociable.

Just right for me.


 

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Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
I retired 12 years ago this May at just a little older than you are now. I find it helps to have a structure - a framework into which you operate, if you will. What you will fill it up with is entirely your choice.

Mine is volunteering and travel. I also belong to a seniors' walking club. Any of these will have me out at least once a day.

God bless!

PS Don't forget to schedule in downtime. Mine are called pyjama days.

[ 18. April 2015, 16:27: Message edited by: Uncle Pete ]
 

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Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
I would have retired at 60 but the goal posts were moved and my pensions will be available in 5 years time.
I do my best at work but the library service is to all intents and purposes being run down as we make no money for the council. So depressing.
Mr Bee retired early so it would be great to be more available to get out and about together.
Mr Bee's Dad died last month so we have a bungalow to sell. This might give me an out, we shall see.
Now retirement is a possibility it's a bit scary.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I found it took about a year to adjust to the new normal - even things like being out and about during the day (and to lose the vague feeling of What if they catch me, and send me back?)

Generally, I think the constraints of the working life can so alienate you from your natural rhythms and inclinations that it can take a while to discover them. And to find the structures - and you need some - that are really useful.

I've made a lot of use of the adult education classes available: some have been disappointing - crèches for the over-60s, or so nebulous in content as to not deliver any real learning. And it is important, I've decided, that you do something which actually pushes you.
 

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Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Don't rush to take on lots of voluntary work.

Those of us who worked in a 'vocation' became so identified with uor work that we forgot who we were when not in role - so stay out of roles - it will make you feel restless but it's worth a slight discomfort of something new is to grow.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
Generally, I think the constraints of the working life can so alienate you from your natural rhythms and inclinations that it can take a while to discover them. And to find the structures - and you need some - that are really useful.

---

I find this on longer holidays - they can be very disconcerting after a while as you start to wonder what on earth to do with all this spare time, or even what you actually like doing.

When life is bound up with deadlines, meetings, being on time for this, that or the other, commuting, etc, life at a desk job can give you the illusion that you know what to do with your spare time because there are a few things you usually do and enjoy which you cram into those few spare hours per week. That is not the same as having day after day to fill. Firenze is absolutely right, some structure is essential. My advice would be to start getting some of the groundwork in place before you retire.

Like Tree Bee, the goalposts have shifted for me so instead of just a few years to go to retirement, I now have about 13-14 to wait. And what happens then is dependent on physical condition at that time. It's easy to put off doing some things until you retire but actually the time to do some of them is now, while you have your health, strength and a regular income. Your retirement life may be long and happy and you may be one of those blessed individuals who goes line dancing and skydiving at the age of 90, but who knows. Make the most of what you have while you can would be my advice.
 

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Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :
 
And in the school it only allows us to work as we are 70. I do not work in a school now. I have no money to work in school.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Crikey, Adeodatus, you're younger than me! I can't quite get my head round the idea of people my age retiring, but I may just be in denial.

I had a sort of "rehearsal" for retirement: for the first seven years we lived in Canada I wasn't allowed to work and (more to the point) wasn't allowed to earn. I must admit I enjoyed the freedom afforded by having nowhere I needed to be, but the lack of income was depressing.

Whenever I get into discussions about retirement, I end up citing the case of my dad, who retired at 61 with enough of a pension to be comfortable (he'd been a senior local government official). He and my mum (who was a housewife) had about 10-12 years before my mum's health began to fail; they travelled all over Europe in a dormobile, had sundry other foreign holidays and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. If he'd waited until he was 65, they'd have lost four of those years, which makes me think if you can afford it, you should retire while you've still got good health.

Having said that, I think some people "do" retirement better than others: Dad's next-door neighbour took early retirement/redundancy at 55, spent large chunks of it in the 19th hole of the golf club and was dead within a year.

I'd certainly like to be able to retire while I'm young enough to enjoy it, but whether that'll be financially viable I really don't know.
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I'm turning 50 this year, which is a magical age for a lot of teachers around here. The rule for full pension for teachers in our public school system is "30 and out" -- you can draw full pension if you retire with 30 years of service -- and because many teachers "bought back" their four years of university, they are retiring after 26 or 27 years of teaching -- so in their late 40s or early 50s.

That won't be my case, because although I started teaching just before I turned 21, I have taught in different places and different school systems and haven't accumulated my 30 years and pension in the public school board. For the last 10 years I have been teaching in an independent school -- we have no pension plan, just an RRSP matching scheme, so everyone makes their own choice of when to retire.

Two of my co-workers have died on the job -- one at age 64 and one at age 57. Another quit teaching in the public system when he got his 30-year pension, then came and taught with us for another 6 years or so, till he, like the other two, had a heart attack. In his case, he was fortunate enough to survive, but quit working.

I fully intend to never have another job after this one -- I will never find anything that suits me better -- but I also don't want to literally work till I drop like my co-workers. I want to have time to travel and write in my retirement years. Right now I'm thinking that when my youngest child gets through university (7 years from now) my major financial obligations will be fulfilled and I would like to quit by then -- but I'm not totally sure I can hold out that long!
 

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Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
I've no words of wisdom but for your retirement, Adeodatus.
 

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Posted by blackbeard (# 10848) on :
 
I retired at 59 - bit early, the official retiring age is, or rather was, 60. I enjoyed much of my career but the last few years were seriously horrid and I was glad to go. I meet some of my old colleagues occasionally, a few still working - "how are things back at the ranch?" "Bad, Blackie, worse than ever." How can anything that bad actually get worse?

Anyway. Back to retirement.
Yes, it's marvellous, My first proper traumatic injury, a life threatening illness (sort of, long story) and a potentially serious medical condition notwithstanding, I regard my health as being outstandingly good so far. That's important, of course.

First rule: keep physically and mentally active so far as possible. Use it or lose it. New interests, or a development of old ones, can be helpful but see Rule 3.

Rule 2; plan what you want to do. And don't get upset if, or rather when, you can't stick to the plan; but you do need something to aim for.

Rule 3; expect to have even less spare time than when you were working. I don't fully understand this but it's a universal finding. It follows that you need to be a bit selective in finding new interests, and be very suspicious of anything you might be asked to volunteer for.

Rule 4 follows from rule 3. If anyone says "Now you are retired you will have time to help us with ..." mumble something apologetic then RUN.
 

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Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
I retired at 65 and am now 76.

The only advice I would offer is learn to say, "No." Don't fill up each moment with volunteer work. I find it a great joy to set a goal in the fall of each year as to what new thing I want to accomplish in the new year.

I have learned to play an instrument, started painting and other art work, written several books and have an ongoing garden renewal project where I am doing one small area each year. All new things for me. When it comes to volunteering I have tried to make it an area that is new to me as well.

Oh yes it is also a great time to add to your list of new friends.

Best wishes on your retirement I find it the very best of years.
 

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Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
A PS - I don't know what everyone else's case is, but the most difficult thing for me was getting used to having new money only once a month, rather than a paycheque every two weeks. I think it took me about a year to adjust.

There is also a chance of loss of the identity attached to your worklife. Happily I was prepared for this and had other things to do. Soon I will have to drop one of my new identities - the major one - and that scares me a little, but I will have other things in place by then,
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
Crikey, Adeodatus, you're younger than me! I can't quite get my head round the idea of people my age retiring, but I may just be in denial.

---

quote:

---

Whenever I get into discussions about retirement, I end up citing the case of my dad, who retired at 61 with enough of a pension to be comfortable (he'd been a senior local government official). He and my mum (who was a housewife) had about 10-12 years before my mum's health began to fail; they travelled all over Europe in a dormobile, had sundry other foreign holidays and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. If he'd waited until he was 65, they'd have lost four of those years, which makes me think if you can afford it, you should retire while you've still got good health.

---

This. My dad was teacher and talked for several years about retirement and how he and my mum would get a dormobile and travel around enjoying themselves. Sadly, he went on to the bitter end (65) and almost as soon as he retired went into emotional meltdown from which he never fully recovered and started to have various physical ailments as well. My mum turned into his full time carer and often expressed her sorrow that dad had never enjoyed a moment of his retirement.


I also agree that you should determindly fend off all efforts by others to get you involved in things, particularly volunteering. The circles I move in, both work and church, are always on the lookout for people who are "newly retired with lots of energy who need something to do" so it's pretty certain that you will be targetted. Resist. Take time to decide what you want. Tell people you are taking time out to reassess your priorities. Tell them you'll bear what they say in mind and you will be in touch if it's something you want to take on. Don't be afraid to be forceful - people can be very persistent.

And I agree it seems to be universal phenomenon that you will end up busier than ever and wonder how you ever had time for work.

I wish you the very best with it.
 

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Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
I was sent on stress leave pending retirement with less than a day's notice. I had been deputy principal of a large school and the principal and I were under much pressure. The trigger point for both of us was when four colleagues from other schools who were the same age as ourselves died within a month, one of them dropping dead in the school corridor as students were going home.

It took me at least three months to come to terms with the changes in my routine and the rhythms of the day.

I was already very involved in my various voluntary activities, so the change there has been doing that sort of work during the day rather than in the evening. I've only taken on one new thing which is not demanding, and I've promised my wife that when I turn 65 next year I'll relinquish at least two voluntary posts. Those organisations are aware, so that new officers can be prepared to step up.

I will never completely cease this volunteering as it has been part of my life since I was 12, and as has been commented up thread some such activity is important to one's mental health.
 

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Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 
I love the idea that you can do 30 years of teaching and then retire on a full pension! My teachers' pension will take 40 years to accrue and I won't be able to claim it until I'm 68 (watch that number move as I approach it over the next 38 years).
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
Tell people you are taking time out to reassess your priorities. Tell them you'll bear what they say in mind and you will be in touch if it's something you want to take on. Don't be afraid to be forceful - people can be very persistent.

---

Yes - learn to say 'no' calmly and assertively, with a smile.

Be busy doing what you love - you have done your time doing what others' want.

I love having a routine - I get up at the same time every day etc. But others like the flexibility retirement brings.



 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:

There is also a chance of loss of the identity attached to your worklife. Happily I was prepared for this and had other things to do. Soon I will have to drop one of my new identities - the major one - and that scares me a little, but I will have other things in place by then,

---

Oh yes.

I think we all need that. When people ask what I do I say "I'm a puppy walker for Guide Dogs". It might not seem much to some, but it's my identity - it's what I do.


 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:

There is also a chance of loss of the identity attached to your worklife. Happily I was prepared for this and had other things to do. Soon I will have to drop one of my new identities - the major one - and that scares me a little, but I will have other things in place by then,

---

Oh yes.

I think we all need that. When people ask what I do I say "I'm a puppy walker for Guide Dogs". It might not seem much to some, but it's my identity - it's what I do.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
In the event that you have a year or so in hand before retirement - and cooperative employers - going down to 80% or less is a good way to go. It gets you used to slightly less money and more time.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Drifting Star:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
In the event that you have a year or so in hand before retirement - and cooperative employers - going down to 80% or less is a good way to go. It gets you used to slightly less money and more time.

---

Although this is a seriously bad idea if you have a final salary pension scheme!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nenya:
... you should determindly fend off all efforts by others to get you involved in things ...

---

Perhaps it depends on what sort of things. My parents were both involved in various things before Dad retired anyway: she was in a chamber choir, he in the orchestra and brass band, they were both in a couple of bigger choral societies and after he retired they joined the camera club and he became an elder in the Cathedral. Between all that and the various holidays, for the first few years I think he wondered when he'd had time to work.

I imagine the secret is to only get involved in things you want to; when we moved here I got dragooned into the Altar Guild because I wasn't working, despite knowing the square-root of bugger-all about flower-arranging or embroidery, and hating housework with a passion.

The minute I was offered a job I was out of there ...
 

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Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
I suspect another problem of working 4 days instead of 5 would be having the same amount of work to do but in less time and for less money.

M.

[ 20. April 2015, 06:25: Message edited by: M. ]
 

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Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
Dad started his apprenticeship at 17 and reached the magic 40 years service full pension at 57. I'd say it took him several years to adjust, though that was partly because within a year of retiring his own father's health started to fail. My grandfather died 17 months after my father retired; and then Dad had to deal with the estate, so a lot of his first two years of retirement was shaped by circumstance rather than choice.
 

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Posted by Adeodatus (# 4992) on :
 
When it comes to the wisdom of crowds, crowds don't get much wiser than the Ship! - thank you all so much for your contributions so far.

One of the reasons I'm retiring as soon as I can afford to is that I've known too many people who had no retirement at all, including among my own family.

I actually reduced my working hours about 3 years ago. I'd discovered that my pension scheme works rather oddly - if you're part time, the pension is still based on the full-time equivalent, but accumulates proportionately more slowly. I was also inspired by Tom Hodgkinson's funny but also insightful book, How to be Idle, which I'd recommend to anyone.

One of the ways in which I'm going to be saying 'no' to things is that I've asked my bishop not to give me permission to officiate. As well as stopping me being asked to do things, it'll allow me to put some distance between myself and the CofE, which is what I want, at least for the time being.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I had a breakdown at age 48 and the Occupational Health psychiatrist said I was not fit to continue so I was given some money [both lump sum and continuing] and basically told to go away - so I came here with the intention of getting myself sane again. You're right, it didn't work but that was, at least partially, because I worked out that sanity didn't really appeal.

Like everybody else here that has commented there is just not enough time to do everything I want to do - and yes, I do have some routine in my life:

I get up early by choice, so much easier than getting up early for work!

I try to have a nap every afternoon - not always possible but I do my best.

I try to eat sparingly but it is tough living with folks who eat quite a bit more, and more often.

I no longer do anything related to my previous job except occasionally talking to younger folks [in this culture this means late teens/early twenties] that ask about sexual health stuff as I am still passionate about not taking risks and here nobody talks openly about sex.

I too have ex-colleagues who retired and didn't know what to do with themselves, were lost without their role as worker - and often died within the year.

So yes, keep busy but keep it within limits, listen to your body and don't take on too much. Retirement is wonderful, it is surely one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

Go for it, Adeodatus, it's great!

p.s. your comment about asking not to be licensed to officiate to do stuff is brilliant and shows you have the right idea.
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
I'm winding down to retirement, took a step back from my original post a couple of years ago and now work four days a week. at the same time the local gov. pension I'd 'preserved' when I left a previous job where I was earning more kicked in, so at present I feel as well off as I ever did. Next year I'm going down to two days a week and intend to give up entirely at the end of the school year 2016. Ideally I'd then like to move from London to somewhere cheaper, but that depends on my husband and his job and my mother's health.
I was away for the weekend with a bunch of people, most of whom are now retired. I'm envious of all the things they get up to, so i can't wait!
 

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Posted by MSHB (# 9228) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sarasa:
I'm winding down to retirement, took a step back from my original post a couple of years ago and now work four days a week. at the same time the local gov. pension I'd 'preserved' when I left a previous job where I was earning more kicked in, so at present I feel as well off as I ever did.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sarasa:
... I'd then like to move from London to somewhere cheaper ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sarasa:
Ideally I'd then like to move from London to somewhere cheaper, ...

---

Growing up in rural Dorset I watched too many retirees become totally isolated in their homes. They moved into pretty villages* which worked fine when they could still drive. But two buses a week is a completely different mindset and not one that works too well at 80.

* and complained about the farm machinery noises, cocks crowing and farm smells and mess.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Never move to where the buses don't run...

We could do with relocating to a house with less stairs and more home office potential. Selling up in an inner suburb of Edinburgh would get you the price of somewhere quite large out in the sufficiently distant and scenic sticks. But my social life is predicated on Lothian buses and my husband's post-retirement consultancy on ready access to the railway station and the airport.
 

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Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
We're not retired - but we deliberately moved to a house with a bus stop outside.

Last year the service (which had been half-hourly) was withdrawn ...

[ 21. April 2015, 22:28: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 

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Posted by MrsBeaky (# 17663) on :
 
Lots of people have told us that in their opinion we took early retirement leaving our careers in our 50s but we are continuing to work full-time as mission partners with the Anglican Church here in Kenya so I don't feel retired as such.
The challenge will come when we finish our term of service here and return to the UK as we will not be able to draw our pensions until our late 60s so quite what we'll do in the intervening years I don't know....!
My teachers pension will not be a full one because of my breaks in service but I'm not sure I can face returning to teaching, dearly though I love it as I don't have the same energy levels as I used to have but we'll have to generate some income somehow!
We had time to establish new life rhythms of no longer working full-time before we left the UK so I'm looking forward to doing that again when we return.
My advice (learned the hard way) is to say "no" a lot in the beginning and find the things that give you joy-e.g. going for a spontaneous walk rather than having to do it at a set time, changing mealtimes to a new pattern was fun too!
Having watched others who I felt fared well in retirement I'd say it's about finding a balance of caring for yourself and continuing to make a contribution and enjoying it all.
 

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Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by MrsBeaky:

My advice (learned the hard way) is to say "no" a lot in the beginning and find the things that give you joy-e.g. going for a spontaneous walk rather than having to do it at a set time, changing mealtimes to a new pattern was fun too!
Having watched others who I felt fared well in retirement I'd say it's about finding a balance of caring for yourself and continuing to make a contribution and enjoying it all.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by geroff:
I am 54 and looking for a new job, following my wife being appointed vicar in Wales and not wanting to commute indefinitely. I can't possibly think of retiring until I am at least 65 - as I work in the private professional sector I don't have a final salary scheme - I hope I will get something from the state because my private provision is very small.

---

I wouldn't rely on "hope", you need to check the position. You won't get your state pension until age 66, possibly 67. Check the DWP website. You can also request a state pension forecast. If there are deficiencies in your NIC re order, you have time to fill the gaps with voluntary contributions.

Maybe it's just the language you've used, and you are more on top of this GS than your post suggests, but you owe it to yourself, and your spouse, to get planning while you still have a bit of time on your side.
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
I retired early as Mr. C. is older than me - we decided we'd both retire together as we have spent large amounts of our marriage apart, due to work commitments. That way, we both get to remember who each other is!

The best group I joined was the U3A, where you can keep on learning new things, in convivial company, for the rest of your life. It is ideal for those on the brink of retirement, as you can still join when you are working part-time if you wish. There is also no lower age limit.

We currently live in a rural area, which is fine as we both drive. But should this change, I think we'll move into town to be closer to all the facilities. Creamtealand has a few well-serviced transport routes, but for areas in between, the links are very sparse indeed. The views, however, are out of this world, so I hope I will be able to keep walking, even if I can't do the all-day long distances that I used to be able to do.

We try to do no more than two activities a day, to allow for veg. time. We soon discovered that trying to fit in 3 activities each day was far too much - we are no longer 21!!
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
Tulfes
It was really just to make the point that some of us can't think of retiring as early as Adeodatus can.
I can't see anywhere on the DWP website that will tell me what my situation may be as the guidance does not apply to anyone born after 1951.
Can you post a link?
 

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Posted by Tulfes (# 18000) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by geroff:
Tulfes
It was really just to make the point that some of us can't think of retiring as early as Adeodatus can.
I can't see anywhere on the DWP website that will tell me what my situation may be as the guidance does not apply to anyone born after 1951.
Can you post a link?

---

Apologies for my misunderstanding, geroff.

Try this for state pension age:-


State Pension age
 

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Posted by Hilda of Whitby (# 7341) on :
 
I retired at the very end of 2014. I worked in libraries for 37 years, 30 of them as a professional cataloger. I spent the last 22 years of my career as the cataloging supervisor at the U.S. Senate Library.

Retirement has been WONDERFUL. My job was intellectually challenging and my former colleagues at the Senate Library were and are terrific. A few of them are personal friends as well, with whom I continue to socialize. I do miss seeing my colleagues every day, but I don't miss for one second the stressful commute, the stressful work environment, and being chained to a computer 40 hours a week.

My advice to anyone who is on the cusp of retiring--do not rush into "doing things" for at least a month, and probably more. This is your time to decompress. There is no need to leap into demanding volunteer work or other time-consuming activities unless you really want to. It seems that there are lots of people who are terrified of not having every moment scheduled.

I would advise, though, having a modest schedule of some sort--it doesn't have to be rigid. A bit of structure is a good thing, but you don't have to make the schedule a prison sentence. Every week I clean the kitchen, the bathrooms and do laundry and general tidying up. I split these up so that these cleaning tasks take an hour or so 3 mornings per week. I hurl laundry into the machine and do other things till it's time to put the laundry in the dryer. That way I don't have to spend an entire day on housework, yet things still get nice and tidy. (DH dusts and vaccuums on the weekends--he is still at work but will retire in September). I've been cleaning out closets and drawers and we have taken lots and lots of unwanted stuff to Goodwill over the past few months. I go on walks every day and do some other form of exercise too--usually yoga. I go downtown to the main branch of the public library every week. I visit museums. I watch films via Netflix or sometimes at matinee performances at the movie theatre. I shop for groceries in the middle of the week when the stores are empty. I have ample time to read, and to just relax with our cats. I go to mid-day services at various churches downtown. I have lots of time to cook. I don't feel bored or lonely.

I was a bit scared about how I would adjust to being retired and having all this free time. My fears were unfounded--I can't say enough good things about retiring. One of my colleagues at the Senate retired about a year before I did. He told me that once I retired, I would wonder how in the world I ever got anything done while I was working full time. Boy, is he right. The luxury of time is a godsend.

Best of luck to all Shippies who are retired/soon to retire/thinking about retiring.
 

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Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Retirement spirituality - some thoughts
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
This has been an interesting thread for me. To all intents and purposes I was medically retired in Feb, as long as continue to I volunteer 2 mornings a week at the school where I have been volunteering for over 14 years on and off. I have struggled to accept this, to the extent that I didn't even acknowledge to myself that I am retired when I first read this. In some ways it is a relief.

In June I am going on a retreat where the focus is on "how we live the final third of our lives" and I am also looking at practicalities with a WEA course on retirement.

I am really, only now beginning to accept being retired 3 years before the official age here (i.e when government superannuation kicks in )

Huia
 

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Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Almost 3 months since I took voluntary redundancy (which others are calling retirement for me) I am beginning to settle into a routine of what I hope is a blance, especially to make sure I go out and see people, rather than sit in my comfortable bubble at home. I try to keep at least morning, afternoon or evening at home or on the allotment. Once or twice a week I go on a brisk one hour health walk run by the local council, once a week I refurbish sewing machines for Tools For Self Reliance for at least half a day, I go to one knitting group and have started another, I have joined 2 orchestras and I try to Womble (litter pick) once a week (at the request of members of a FB group I've started a group for this too). That gives a structure into which I can easily fit unplanned things like coffee with friends and AirBnB guests. If I go freelancing over the winter (the current plan to help make the redundancy payment last until my pension kicks in) life will be very different!
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'd say from your description, Daisydaisy, that you're so good at retirement you probably ought to give lessons.

Long may you enjoy it!
 

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Posted by Adeodatus (# 4992) on :
 
Well, folks... I did it! My last day at work was Friday. And today I have a very loose-endy sort of feeling, which I think I'll just sit with for a while.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Health to enjoy it, Adeodatus!
 

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Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Well done, Adeodatus! As my line manager (who retired before me) wrote in my retirement book, 'Welcome to the wonderful world of retirement!'

I can't recommend it highly enough - enjoy
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Brilliant! Congratulations!
 

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