Community Chat

[Kalli]

Caught between happiness and sadness. You work your whole life to get to the point when you no longer have to work. At first, retirement is so distant, you just push it to the back of your mind. Then one day, you wake up and realize it's almost here. Where did the time go???

I'm excited but I'm also feeling a sense of loss. Don't get me wrong. I'm looking forward to having more time to do the things I want to do, like go trail riding at 10 am on a Tuesday just because I feel like it. Or staying up late to watch the end of a movie and not having to worry about being tired at work the next day. And of course, my parents are elderly and in need of my help, so this means I'll have more time to be there for them.

It's exciting but I also never thought I'd feel so sad. I'm mourning the loss of my career....but it's not really my career, it's my involvement with the people I've worked with and for all these years. I love what I do but didn't realize it would be so bittersweet to leave and retire. I'll certainly cry on my last day. Sheesh.

[hoosieroriginal]

I retired 2 years ago - you will find you can't figure out where the week went.  I'm so busy now, I have no idea how I got everything done when I worked.  People used to say, "it's just the best".  It really is. 

[teainlondon]

I wish I could tell you how happy I am that I am retired, but I am not. I grieve every day for the interaction with colleagues. I found that many who still work distance themselves and I don't have anything in common with them since I am not in the thick of it. I was busy and going and enjoyed the meetings and discussions. Now that is not a part of my life. I don't like to be by myself. It's just my DH and me. He is retired but still works part time. He has a reason to get out of the house and be with people. I am at home alone.

I mourn every day and often am too depressed to do anything. I was never a housewife; I had domestic help that did the cleaning and cooking. Now that's left to me, and I am a lousy housewife.

I would give anything if I could go back to work.

[GCR18]

You can still meet up with your friends from work.  Plan a few lunches or dinners before you leave for the upcoming month.  I can't wait for that day to come.  Unfortunately, it's further out than I'd like. Congratulations, it will be great.

[Kachina624]

Yes, @Kalli, there's no question retirement is a major life change.  You'll miss the company of your co-workers, the challenges of your job, even going out to lunch with friends. You'll soon find yourself wondering how you ever found time to work, you'll be so busy.  

Just think of all the time you'll have with your horse.  I spent a major amount of time doing parental medical appointments since both were legally blind and couldn't drive.  Many people get simple part-time jobs or sign up for volunteer work.  Do you have any of those horse rehab programs in your area?  They're always looking for volunteers.

Trust me, you're going to have a blast.  When is your last day of work?  Cry your tears that day then get on with the best part of your life!

[Meowingkitty]

I got laid off 2 years ago and decided not to find another job. I could not get out of there fast enough.  I was so done with corporate America I just could not mentally and emotionally deal with the bs everyday. I am so happy. I didn't have a career just a job I hated at a company I hated. I love not working. There are days I am productive and days I'm not. It doesn't matter.  It's nice to be able to do things as they crop up and not have to fit it in around work or do everything on the weekend. My husband got his layoff notice effective July 1st and he had a career and he is so done with work he isn't going to look for a new job. It came a couple of years earlier than we wanted but we have no debt so the only issue is finding health insurance that won't break the bank since we are both in our early 60's and can't get Medicare yet. 

[Shawnie]

I retired some years ago and I felt the same way.  By the time i retired I thought that I had myself together.  Finances were solid.  But what i didnt realize was that i would miss the work, the structure and the validation of worth that my career had given me.  So often a person is just tired and ready to run into retirement but once they wake up from the fog they realize that they/me have to rewrite the second half of their life.  I am still figuring it out.  I learned that i needed and enjoyed working so i found something parttime that pays little but is interesting.   I think i will always enjoy work.  But not get up at dark thirty in the morning commute with the hoards all consuming work.  Ill leave that to the young.  Dont expect too much too soon.  

[Snowpuppy]

Trust me, I work with people who SHOULD retire but don't.

They desperately hang onto that check and believe someone else should do everything for them. 

I'm no kid by any means but if my cognition failed like that I couldn't ask others to do what I no longer can.

[Goodie2shoes]

I have been retired for 1 month and 11 days LOVIN IT !!!!   It took me about the first month to get it out of my head that I needed to prepare on Sunday for going into work on Monday. I carried a brief case with my needed paperwork for my files, my breakfast, lunch, coffee mug and badge so I packed everything the night before and made my lunch. I worked from home the rest of the week.  Now Monday mornings are just like Saturday and Sunday mornings, out of bed when I choose, shopping, watching TV etc. I do what I want to do and it's awesome !  I've even met a man online and it's been a great friendship that just may blossom into something wonderful. So just go with it when you are ready and enjoy the rest of your life. Best of luck to you !!

[Venezia]

@teainlondon - Is there any reason you can't find a part-time job like your DH has done?

I lost my job four years ago through no fault of my own and, at first, looked for a new one.  But I'm lucky that I don't have to go back to work and, quite frankly, I don't want to!  I like my life with not having anyone to answer to except myself.  My time is my own and I have friends that I see, when I want to.

If you can't find a paid job, maybe you could volunteer?  You might find "there is life after work"!  Better than being depressed and grieving for what was and you'd be making a difference for others.  Just a suggestion.