Retired ladies - so, how is it? Will I adjust OK? - Page 6

Bridgegal · ‎03-09-2010

@IdahoGram wrote:
Speaking for myself of course! We moved out of state, I would not recommend doing this. Stay where your friends, familly, work friends, doctors, etc are. It's very difficult to make new friends at such an advanced age. We've been here 15 yrs and are still without real true friends. Just my experience for what it's worth.

That was my experience living in the Philly area. We were there 16 years and over that time I had very few friends that I'd call and talk to or felt like they were really friends. I had a couple of women that we'd plan a Saturday out somewhere or lunch but I didn't consider them close friends. I played bridge there but never socialized with anyone.

We've been in Santa Fe now for a year and already I've made friends that I wouldn't hesitate to call and say "I need a dress, want to go and help me pick it out?" I never did that in PA.

My closest friends , 2, are in Dallas and over 40+ they are more like sisters. I don't expect to make that kind of friends here but at age 72 I don't think many do.

So, I think moving or not moving depends on where from and to where.

People here are so friendly and warm. I didn't find that to be true in PA. People there were nice but 'stand offish', I'd say.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@tarsmom wrote:
I have just over a year to go before retiring. It is SOOOO hard to get up at 6 every day and work 9 hours 5 days. I'm thinking it's because I'm older now (my DH and I laugh "I'm not 34, I'm not 44, I'm not 54, in two months I'll be 64!!!" I guess my mind thinks I'm about 40ish and yet here I am, working with so many young people around me all day long.

It's a very odd place to be right now. I'm not a grandma, I'm not a millenial, I don't know what I am!

Most of my friends are retired, DH and I will go together next year (we're two months apart in age).

Our only son lives out of state and is not married (yet).

I spent a lot of years hanging out with my mom, shopping, dining out for lunch, doing her hair, etc. etc. and it's funny how life changes (she's been gone 7+ years).

I'm trying to figure out what's next - so please give me your routines and have you moved? (We'll be doing that I believe because I'm not staying in MI winters!).

@tarsmom To me it is odd to think of defining oneself as a grandmother or a millenial or anything like that. You are a person, a unique person, and you have a life different from anyone else on the planet. That doesn't change whether you are 4 or 84, working or not.

Do things that make you happy. Keep up with your chores, keep your house clean and neat, set aside leisure time, and do what makes you happy. Retirement is what you are able to do with your time.

It's not always what we want, but do the best you can and enjoy it the most you can just like the rest of the life you've lived.

People make too big a deal out of retirement. You don't have to have a hobby or do this or that. Just life your life as best it suits you! Just get up and get dressed every day. If you stay in your bath robe, you'll miss out on a lot!!!

AngelPuppy1 · ‎03-13-2010

You will love it!!!!! There is a period of adjusment though. At least there was for me. But don't be worried or afraid. I think from everyone I know this is normal. You go at top speed from 9 to 5 (sometimes longer) practially your whole life and then suddendly --- BOOM --- it comes to a screeching holt! So, of course, you are going to feel rather like --- What just happened? I was rather at a loss for actually a couple of months.

It is wonderful that you and your DH will be approaching this at the same time. You will get to share so much together.

After a while you get sort of in a routine. And the most wonderful part is --- no more watching the clock! No more doing everything by somone else's schedule or time table! Your time is now your own!

Enjloy this --- you earned it!!!!

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin

chiclet · ‎03-19-2010

I think it depends on your personal situation as to how much you will enjoy it. If you have a lot family and friends who do not work, hobbies and money to do what you want it will probably be great. If you will be on a tight budget or don't have a lot of people to do stuff with and spend most of your time at home looking at TV and playing video games then maybe not as good for you. Also health can be a factor as to how you enjoy anything. I am not a planner or a joiner and don't have a lot of family and friends so work gave me structure and purpose. Also where you live makes a difference. What there is to do around your area that you enjoy. I hate the beach and sun and sand and that is where I live close to. I want to move to the mountains but with our health concerns we are afraid it would be too much. A lot of factors going into it. Not the same with everyone.

tarsmom · ‎03-21-2010

@chiclet wrote:
I think it depends on your personal situation as to how much you will enjoy it. If you have a lot family and friends who do not work, hobbies and money to do what you want it will probably be great. If you will be on a tight budget or don't have a lot of people to do stuff with and spend most of your time at home looking at TV and playing video games then maybe not as good for you. Also health can be a factor as to how you enjoy anything. I am not a planner or a joiner and don't have a lot of family and friends so work gave me structure and purpose. Also where you live makes a difference. What there is to do around your area that you enjoy. I hate the beach and sun and sand and that is where I live close to. I want to move to the mountains but with our health concerns we are afraid it would be too much. A lot of factors going into it. Not the same with everyone.

Those are all good points. I know life is what you make of it - being grateful and making a conscious decision to be positive.

Imaoldhippie · ‎06-10-2015

It will be what you make of it.

LIFE IS TO SHORT TOO FOLD FITTED SHEETS

Suziepeach · ‎03-10-2010

I haven't worked since 97 and never looked back.. I had no problem adjusting. My husband works from home and we basically come and go as we darn well please. I drove 72 miles round trip to Buckhead (Atlanta) and that was the first thing I didn't miss.... traffic. PS>>> my hours were 10:30-6:30.. want to know what I caught the tail end of in traffic??? Some days if would take 2 1/2 hrs to get home- yep didn't miss that one teenie tiny iota and God forgive the weather was bad.. LOL ..

You'll do just fine and make your own way with your retirement. Good Luck!!

Go VOLS
Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to me.. Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee... Rocky Top Tennessee

Eileen in Virginia · ‎08-25-2010

I retired 9 years ago after a very active and high stress career. DH retired 4 years ago. We’re a couple of years older than you and we don’t feel like we’re in our 60’s either. We love being retired, especially the freedom we have to do whatever we want whenever we want to do it. While DH initially missed the social aspects of his job, he’s adjusted. I’ve never looked back.

We thought about returnng to the Philadelphia area to be closer to family, but decided against it for a number of reasons. I think it’s important to consider the timing of your retirement. It’s easier to get used to the transition into retirement if you’re able to do the things you enjoy (i.e. avoid cabin fever). Think about those things you’d like to do, but don’t overschedule yourselves, especially if you’re going to move. Do you know where your going to move to, or do you just want to get away from the MI winters? If the latter, consider snow-birding for a year or so. This will allow you to try out different areas before making a commitment. If possible, try to stay in your desired area long enough to experience it during the off season. Depending on the areas you’re considering, there can be drastic differences between the off season and the busy season.

Finally, one of the things that made our transition into retirement easy was the fact that we got our financial house in order beforehand. We paid off our mortgage, made larger purchases/home repairs and our son graduated from college before I retired (at that point I was earning a little more than DH). It was much easier to relax without those costs hanging over our heads.

Good luck - I hope you enjoy retirement as much as we do!

brandiwine · ‎03-11-2010

Retirement is AMAZING. Just learn to say no. Some days we have multiple things on our calendar. My DH goes one way and I go the other, or we go together. I joined a couple of gyms with my Silver Sneakers card and have made so many new friends. We take time to travel and we spend time with our grandkids since they live close. I went and took classes on cake decorating because I always wanted to know how to do it. I am doing more sewing and got a embroidery machine so I can make some great gifts or make special t-shirts. My young neighbors always seem to appreciate homemade baby blankets and burp cloths. My DH advises them about their landscaping or teaches them about home repairs. He's also so good about cleaning out our neighbor's driveway after snow storms. She's about 10 years younger than us, but is working full time and lives alone.

IMW · ‎06-15-2014

Love the freedom of retirement. Can do what I want when I want to. I am a vociferous reader 3-4 books weekly. A film lover Netflix and Prime. Dh and I enjoy

casinos. We visit our gs, stay the weekend.

I love to take naps. Read The NY Times daily and do

crossword puzzles ( poorly), read qvc forums.

Health issues limit my mobility.

I do do not miss work 1 iota.