What is your retired person "identity"? (move, spouse, community)

[engineman]

My job title is "geezer". My activities have changed over the 20 years that I have been retired. In another 16 years I will be 100.

[Clemencia53]

Originally Posted by engineman

My job title is "geezer". My activities have changed over the 20 years that I have been retired. In another 16 years I will be 100.

same here.

I retired in my 40s. I didn't have a plan. I just went with the flow.

Did some gardening and remodeling. Got tired of that. Cut back on the flower garden. Too hot out there and really darn garden centers in Texas try to sell you stuff that shouldn't be grown here. And then you get all sad and disappointed.

One trip to New England was my eureka moment. I came home and vowed to never try to grow anything but native plants. And even that went out too. They had such beautiful flowers up north. But it is also nice and cool.

Anyway, I've been retired about 15 years now and I think about getting a job. Maybe I didn't work long enough. I had a lot of fun and adventures in my Air Force career.

I do want to travel again for a whole year - just traipse from place to place. I could live in a hotel year round. That is what I basically did in the Air Force. We were always on the road. Loved it. Miss it.

But then, maybe I won't like it now??

I do want to spend next winter at the beach in south texas.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Old Lady Vegan DIYer Gardener Reader Crafter Library-Lovin Thrifty Lady with Issues?

I just am what I am and it changes all the time. I get up and do what needs to be done - or not. I go to the library a lot, look for free or cheap things to do, walk my dog, garden, decorate my apartment, organize my apartment, cook, listen to NPR, watch the news, just signed up for a twitter account and I twitter my favorite politicians.

For instance today, dinked around on the internet, cooked, figured out which shelving unit I want to buy for my hobby room (aka bedroom in my 1 bedroom apartment that I don't sleep in, but will turn into a garden/hobby/craft/workbench space).

I made a pot of rice, am soaking garbanzo beans to make my own hummus from. Sliced up and froze some bread. Moved some plants around on my balcony because we're supposed to get a big rain storm. Did some reading. Walked my dog.

If you actually think about all of the things that you had to do in addition to working, you won't be left with nothing to do. You'll just have more time to do them all.

Oh yeah, and I called the library to ask about volunteering for their ESL conversational English club, so I can help people who want to improve their conversational English. I have a hard time finding the perfect volunteer situation for me, as I don't like group politics, but I keep reaching out to try different ones until/if/in case one finally sticks.

When my new shelves come, I'm going to buy a grow light and grow my own greens in my hobby room, as well as some flowers and maybe some herbs.

Anyway, you just first, do your household chores in a more leisurely manner, and then think of other projects you'd like to try. Surely, there must have been something in your mind that you always thought you'd like to try doing - if only you had the time.

And by the way, if all you end up doing is household chores and going for walks and reading, and you're happy - ain't nothin' wrong with that. I spend 99% of my time alone or with my dog, and 99% of the time I'm happy with that.

[galaxyhi]

I was early medically retired at age of 40.
I was never NOT busy then, even though thibgs are difficult and take me two or three times as long as,others.

I have gone back to work part time to pay some bills, and IF under SGA I will continue to receive my SSDI.

Now I don't have time for much with working, it wears me absolutely out. I need a full day to recover from one day of working!

Such is life.

While I was totally 'retired I had hobbies and regimented housework and cooking to do.i would get to watch about 3 hours of tv a day though, that was anout it for "down time".

Get yourself involved in hobbies, the Senior center may help with that. Volunteer somewhere for something. Get involved in something, unless you just want to sit and vegetate in front of tv.

Good luck transitioning!

[7gkids]

I have found time to be a service to others. The more I give the more I receive.

DH wants to be known as the most worthless geezer in the neighborhood.

[Themanwithnoname]

This week I am building beehives.

This last weekend I was planting my garden.

Tomorrow I'll be buying a ripsaw.

I do not derive my identity from my activities just like once I matured I did not from my occupation.

[BabyJuly]

I'm a World Traveler. Always go on 2 big trips per year. Since retirement in June 2016 here's my schedule, with all the 2018 trips paid for:

1. Greek island cruise, stay in Athens and a week in Crete 2016
2. Northern Vietnam; Bali, Java and Komodo Islands 2016
3. China, Tibet, Yangtze River cruise, Hong Kong 2016
4. Eastern Carribbean Cruise 2017
5. UK, Netherlands, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland escorted tour Christmas-New Year 2017-18
6. Western Carribbean cruise May 2018
7. Central America tour of Mayan countries-Honduras, Gautemala, Belize and El Salvador June 2018
8. Canada --2 weeks in my hometown, Air BnB July 2018
9. Alaska Cruise on New Norwegian Bliss ship Aug 2018
10. Hong Kong, Bangkok and Northern Thailand, Singapore and Maylasia Dec 2018

I cancelled a trip to India and Dubai that was to leave in 2 weeks.

I volunteer as a adult English tutor and English Teaching Assistant. I'll also be an official ESOL Teacher as of this May. Will look for a paid job in 2019.

[LiveLoveLaugh]

I bought a farm and live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have a group of friends and we call ourselves 'farm chicks'

[rjm1cc]

Look for a fairly large active retirement community.

[BellaDL]

I had many roles while working: engineer, scientist, DIYer, rower, coach, flyer, gardener, hiker, photographer, traveler, student-for-life, mother, wife and dog owner.

In retirement, I still retain all these 'titles' except adding the word retired before engineer. Oh, I become an avid birder so I should add this identity to my list. I lost my dog to cancer last summer but will certainly become a dog owner again in a near future.

The only additional title that I would like to have is grandma. Right now, I just have to be contented to be grandma to 3 grand puppies ;-)

We are moving to semi-rural property with a big shop in 2 weeks. I am looking forward to having few more fun identities like a woodworker, a goat/chicken owner and a wine maker. There is no way that I would be contented to having just one activity or identify at any phase in my life.