Re: Retiring

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@occasionalrain wrote:
The thing about retiring is that the future is nothing but death. One can find rewarding busywork or entertain themselves with travel, crafts, grandchildren...to distract themselves from the closing in inevitable. What's to look forward to but decline? Where is the joy in that?

@occasionalrain Wow. A bit of a Negative Nelly some? What a sad way to live a life. You probably are miserable with that outlook on life. Each day is full of joy and promise. So sad you do not see that.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

After 40 years of working full time, I retired at age 66 to move down the shore to be closer to my kids. I came down with RA six months later, so I've been disabled and living with daily pain for twelve years now. I think I would have enjoyed my retirement a heck of a lot more if RA hadn't reared its ugly head.

I do miss my work friends . . . we were making it a point to meet for dinner every few months, but that is slowly ending. They are in their late 50s and early 60s now, and I am 78. And it takes a lot out of me to go to a restaurant these days. We still do communicate via email occasionally.

About work, I miss the challenge. I loved my work (not necessarily my job) . . . but the work. This BB keeps me busy several hours a day, and I do see my girls and grandchildren often. I watch TV more than I ever did and that's not good.

I think if I were less physically challenged I would do more, and it's something I always say I'm going to do, but each day seems to stick its tongue at me and the energy just isn't there.

That said, I am glad to still be alive, and I have had a wonderful life over all. As to death, I am afraid of it, and sometimes I think "this is going to be my last day," but so far, still here. While I am afraid of it, I do accept it.

Fortunately, I am still viable financially, and I still look forward to the happy days. So I guess I am somewhere in between being satisfied with "retirement" (although that seems a silly word to me these days) and being accepting of what I still have.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

@occasionalrain wrote:
The thing about retiring is that the future is nothing but death. One can find rewarding busywork or entertain themselves with travel, crafts, grandchildren...to distract themselves from the closing in inevitable. What's to look forward to but decline? Where is the joy in that?

I think you need to be on a mood elevator. Why would you post something as depressing and pessimistic as this? I love and enjoy being retired.

lulu2 · ‎03-09-2010

@QueenDanceALot wrote:
@lulu2 wrote:
I loved teaching but in 2003 a medical situation forced me into early retirement. I can honestly say, I have not missed it for a minute. It took over a year before I was able to participate in life again. So many doors opened and I have enjoyed each and every day.

My husband is 67 and we've discussed his retirement more times than I can count. He has cut back but still finds his career rewarding. Retirement just isn't for him.

Everyone is different. Do not count on having X number of years to enjoy retirement. No one knows what lies ahead. My father had 20+ good years after he retired. 3 of his brothers died within a year of retirement.
Of course, none of us can "count on" any good years, in retirement or otherwise.

But to see retirement as the end of life is just very sad.

I was not inferring retirement is the end of life. It is simply a new chapter in the book of life.

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

There is so much more to life than a job, I'm always shocked by how many people seem to define themselves by their job. I think they are the ones the who need to find other outlets. You shouldn't be counting on your co-workers to entertain you. Retirement should be a goal, not something you fear.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@RetRN wrote:
@occasionalrain wrote:
The thing about retiring is that the future is nothing but death. One can find rewarding busywork or entertain themselves with travel, crafts, grandchildren...to distract themselves from the closing in inevitable. What's to look forward to but decline? Where is the joy in that?
I think you need to be on a mood elevator. Why would you post something as depressing and pessimistic as this? I love and enjoy being retired.

@RetRN - Maybe "occasional rain" should be changed to "constant downpour". This isn't the first time and it certainly won't be the last we'll get comments like this!

Still, I have to thank Occasional Rain for giving me the biggest laugh I've had all day! It was such a silly, dramatic statement that it cracked me up and laughter is a good thing!

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

@Venezia, you are so right!

DoneTryin · ‎03-09-2010

@Venezia LOL! I thought that was a better nic, too

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@teainlondon - Try volunteering a few days a week. Make some friends, then you'll have some ladies to go places with and have over during the day. I also love to sew so I formed a sewing club where I live, and I'm now friends with neighbors I didn't even know before.

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

I do think the glories of retirement are way oversold. It is NOT all a good time for many. I enjoyed my job and feel like it has been torn away. To discount this aspect is wrong and to be critical of those of us who miss living a "non-retirement" life is also wrong. This is much like the stay-at-home mom condemnation. It should be a choice.