How are you finding retirement?
 

One or two members have retired from work in the last few years. To those that have, how are you finding it?

A lot wonder how thy found time to work, is that so in your case.

macafee2

I retired nearly 3 years ago. I found it quite difficult for a while, not helped by the covid lockdown, plus both my wife and I have on going health issues. Past few months have been a lot easier though and we are getting used to me being under her feet so to speak.

Although I never really enjoyed my main role and had to work at it, I miss the social interaction it offered. When ever I meet up with former colleagues we always end talking about "work".

I'd never go back, ain't got the time.

Couldn't go back to work, haven't got the time :).
The pro's: For me are the removal of the stress of deadlines KPI's etc. traveling stupid miles and working daft hours to pull off the impossible. Not being responsible for the idiot at the other end of the country taking the pee with some contract and having to go read the riot act. My time is my own.

Cons: are the fact you fall out of the technology bubble and no longer keep upto date with the modern comms etc, it's easy to quickly become a dinosaur. Miss office banter but looking back on that office banter/jokes will soon become a prosecutable offence, oh and I miss traveling stupid miles and working daft hours to pull off the impossible.

I've been retired for a few years now and find the biggest "danger" is the temptation of staying within your comfort zone.

For me, the solution was first found in karate, which I found quite challenging (especially the gradings), however arthritis and sports injuries have sadly put paid to that, so I recently took up guitar again. I now play regularly at a number of "players nights", which I find quite stressful as I hate being the centre of attention, so feel quite self conscious playing in front of an audience. Great fun though, and a real challenge for me that gives me a great buzz.

Cliff

I'd enjoy retirement a lot more if the medical profession didn't keep finding things wrong with me :(

Been retired 14 years. Took early retirement to look after my late wife.

Retirement
 

I retired from nursing after 45 years 3 years ago. First thing I did was bin the alarm clock. Its the best thing I have done. I love being retired but the weather could be kinder. I have begun renovating my 1938 Morris 8 Tourer, the garden has never looked better, there are not enough hours in a day. I am selling my caravan due to wife's ill health and so the 4x4 will also go to be replaced by a 75. I will spend a lot of time going to club meets and stuff. I fully recommend retirement. No work stress or worrying about the job.

no stress, no stress are you kidding? :D
Stop the world I want to get off. The list of jobs just mounts up, no matter how many things do the list gets no shorter.
my list for tomorrow:-
fit puncture in trailer
take caravan off axle stands added to list today
cut down doc leaves
continue fixing leaks in central heating
continue moving a door striker
mow last part of rear garden
strim grass at front added to list today
make room for ride on mower added to list today
send email with photo added to list today

fix oven door moved to another day

fix air con on tourer, still to do
inspect hand brake on saloon, still to do
fit illuminated kick trims, still on list to do.. been there a year but a house move got in the way

complete painting of garage floor
position compressor
position shot blasting cabinet
position lathe
take down lots of existing shelving
put up modified shelving
block up holes in ceiling
wire lights in garage
wire sockets in garage
"creosote" garage, summer house and shed
replace rotten shiplap to shed
complete the filling in of pond
rehang 2 gates
have another garage floor damp proofed
internally block up 2 up and over garage doors
turn double garage into gym
get bathroom and en suite decorated
decorate down stairs loo
sand kitchen table
sand draws to bedroom unit
oh and there is lots more things to do



I retired 4 1/2 years ago but had a little job a couple of days a week for 3 years. Never bored, had been a workaholic, never looked back, never regretted leaving.
Some days I fall asleep on the settee knackered.
Summer is great, really helps me get jobs done just by being warm, dry and bright.

I know this year we will run out of time as I cant work such longs hours any more.

Bring on tomorrow........ I'm ready


macafee2

That's the secret Ian, well said!

Simon

I took early retirement 3.5 years ago and still do not have enough time to accomplish all the things that I want to do. The list never gets shorter.

The only difference being that I occasionally grab and hour or so to sit in the garden with a cup of tea listening to bird songs and just pondering about life and the universe. :}