Among Friends

[ECBG]

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@Goodie2shoes wrote:

Funny you should ask that question. I am a nurse and in 5 more working days (I work Mon-Friday)  I will retire. April 8th to be exact. I am so excited but on the other hand I am wondering what I will do to pass the time.  I will be babysitting my 6 mo old grandson for a few hrs a day and  plan to start a exercise routine to keep in shape. I need to get out and socialize more, my job is work from home so I don't go out with friends. Usually when my workday ends at  5, I'm done and just want to relax. .   

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@Goodie2shoes*****Honey, a year before I retired I knew I wanted to do my love other than Interior Design.  

Since I loved to style everything (color knows no bounds) I was approached on the floor of Dillards and Chicos by their managers and questioned if I would like to work for them.  I took Dillards because, like a principal that drives the school, so is the manager with a store.  I went for Dillards, was put over the Petite Dept (I am not petite) and raised their sales 56% in six months and became the second specialist (a title developed by the brand for me) because I had sold so much of a designer brand, Peter Nyguard.  He was doing a symmetrical top bottoms six years ago!

I had to quit after a year because of my back.  I'm sure you know what carrying all those clothes did to me. I couldn't stand when I went to the doctor.  The PA had to carry me in for the nurse!   I guess I'll be on Meloxicam forever.

My friend called me after I was better and I worked for Belks in Fine Jewelry for the last five years and loved it.  I just left because of a toxic situation!

I love working with color and people but don't want to do clienteling as I Designers do.

[123SuzyQ123]

Retirement for me has been sort of lonely the last few years, because all the friends and most of my family still work, so there is not much interaction.  I have thought of trying to find a part-time job, but I can't hear very well and the hearing aid doesn't help me.  So, if I can find some work that a deaf person can do, I will be set!  LOL

If you have family nearby, you probably won't get lonely.  But my family (some of them) live 100 miles away and the others.....live......1600 miles away!!! 

I hope all of you find some active and happy retirement years!

[alliswell]

Have you ever considered becoming a tutor?  

[ECBG]

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@Janealma wrote:

I am a Speech Pathologist in the schools and will retire after one more year. I am a little scared to be honest, but I have a year to plan and come up with some ideas. I will miss the social part of working, but not the paperwork. I do have a husband and one daughter and grandson in town, so I won't be alone.

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@Janealma*****Oh Hon, I don't miss the paperwork at all!!!!!

[ECBG]

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@debcakes wrote:

Another retired teacher, here. I really miss seeing the students and the social contact. I find retirement to be very dull. I do have some things I do and enjoy, but need more consistency. 

OP, have you thought about substitute teaching? I have done that and really like it. It is something I can do on my terms. I can pick and choose where I will go and when.  I have been a snowbird for almost 4 months and that was no problem. I am getting a new knee in May, so I am sure I am done for this year.  Good luck with whatever you choose. 

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@debcakes*****I just love color and helping people.  What I don't love is early morning calls when I've been up all night watching videos and on the forums.  In HS the problems are quite different than in elementary.  In HS you have a lesson plan and sit, and sit, or they all want to go somewhere. I also like something I can count on more.

[nrm]

Another retired teacher here. I taught all ages because of my degree. I enjoyed my 8th graders the most. Some became friends when they were older as well as did their parents. 

I don't miss the school system (or the paperwork ) since we travel all the time now that my husband is retired. When we're not traveling I get a bit antsy,tho. 

[ECBG]

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@Giggles Too wrote:

Have you ever considered becoming a tutor?  

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@alliswell****Thanks for the thought.  I prefer to be around a lot of people.

[Eileen6]

motherinlaw

Could you please share more info regarding what your sister in law does. Do you know who she does it through? It sounds perfect for me after many years of classroom teaching. Many thanks!

[luvdoodles]

Here are a few ideas off the top of my head. You could become a tutor and the extra money wouldn't hurt. Also become a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout leader. I also taught CCD for a few years. I enjoyed that. Churches are always looking for volunteers for that. Story Time at the library would be enjoyable also. Looks like many good ideas have been posted here also. I'm sure you will find something that makes you happy.

[Financialgrl]

I retired very early.  They offered early retirement and I took it about 15 years ago.  I was way too young to do nothing so I worked full time again for 3 years in the front office of a high school.  Took a year off after that and then did many years of temp work for the school district and during tax season I'd scale back temping and volunteer with AARP doing taxes for elderly and low income filers. 

Somewhere in here I was diagnosed with cancer and was in treatment for about a year and a half.  That gives a whole new perspective to things and ever since friends and I have been travelling a LOT.  Great thing about retirement - you have the ability to make it what you want it to be - if u want to do nothing to de-stress for awhile you can do that or you can become involved in as little or much as you decide works for you.  Caution here though - when you volunteer - be very careful bc I've found that even as an unpaid worker, there are still the same personality types wanting to take charge and run over you - either that or if you do such a great job they pull you back into doing a lot of work again, but this time with no pay!!!  But also remember - you only have to take as much as you want bc you are retired and can walk away any time!!