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I am on vacation, Christmas break and the first 2 days has been a lot of sleep. I have been thinking, well, why not? No schedule to keep, so if I feel weary, why shouldn't I?
BUT....is this what retirement will be? No more schedules so throw it all out the door or is it just like that, for the first few days?
No. It's whatever you make it. Retirement is certainly not the same experience for every person. Surely you know that by now from all the many many threads on this topic.
I was not "indoctrinated." I simply enjoy and see the value in working; always have. The fact that you feel "relieved" not to have to get up and go to your job anymore tells me it was a negative experience for you. It wasn't and isn't for everyone.
Otter, I am not trying to offend you. I understand your attachment to work. However, isn't this argument getting kind of long in the tooth since you have had so many years in retirement that you could have gone back to work in some capacity? So, I think it is kind of hollow at this point that work that you see value in work for works' sake.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Originally Posted by ChessieMom
No. It's whatever you make it. Retirement is certainly not the same experience for every person. Surely you know that by now from all the many many threads on this topic.
Exactly. I expect retirement to be quite the opposite, less sleep. I'll actually have time for all of the fun hobbies and projects that I enjoy doing, and will be able to stay up later and get up at the same time without worrying about being late for work. I have in-laws that are retired, and after a good night's sleep take two naps a day, back in bed. I could never nap other than dozing off a few minutes watching TV. That's wasted time, and we don't have that much left! Neither of them has any hobbies, they just watch TV all day and pay people to do anything needed around the house, even mowing their tiny lawn. Fine for them, but I couldn't "live" that way.
When I retire in the spring I'll spend my days working on a large vegetable garden, tinkering with my classic car, doing stained glass art, working on my bonsai collection, and whatever work is needed around the house and yard. This is why my work hours are now 6am-2:30pm, so I have time for a bit of work on my hobbies after work.
Exactly. I expect retirement to be quite the opposite, less sleep. I'll actually have time for all of the fun hobbies and projects that I enjoy doing, and will be able to stay up later and get up at the same time without worrying about being late for work. I have in-laws that are retired, and after a good night's sleep take two naps a day, back in bed. I could never nap other than dozing off a few minutes watching TV. That's wasted time, and we don't have that much left! Neither of them has any hobbies, they just watch TV all day and pay people to do anything needed around the house, even mowing their tiny lawn. Fine for them, but I couldn't "live" that way.
When I retire in the spring I'll spend my days working on a large vegetable garden, tinkering with my classic car, doing stained glass art, working on my bonsai collection, and whatever work is needed around the house and yard. This is why my work hours are now 6am-2:30pm, so I have time for a bit of work on my hobbies after work.
Then go get a job! Everyone and their uncle is hiring.
I liked working, and I like retirement.
90% of life is learning to enjoy the hear and now, OR, changing it so you are happy.
Thank you! I am so sick and tired hearing the same old tripe that retirement = being unproductive or doing nothing. I retired from a career I enjoyed. For the most part. It was a functional outlet for my personal beliefs, hopes, and energy. Paid employment provided me with a roof, food on the table, the chance to experience many different areas of the USA and a way to leverage savings for the future. I feel very fortunate. Many folks never find a vocation, passion or whatever you choose to call it.
All that being said, this does NOT mean there weren't aspects of my career I didn't particularly like and in a perfect world would not choose to put up with. The sweeping broad brush statement "working was a negative experience" simply doesn't apply.
I don't feel leaving those negative aspects behind meant I voluntarily gave up being productive, active, vital, or interested. I am still involved in the same causes and interests...just in a different way. I do not "sit around and do nothing" now that I'm not being paid to show up at a job site M-F, 8 to 5. I have the freedom to focus on specific aspects of those same interests and to do as much or as little as I choose from day to day.
Instead of "work" being an imperative it is now a prerogative. Why this is such a difficult concept for some to understand eludes me.
For Pete's sake, otter, if you miss being employed so much, go get a job! Who's stopping you? Quit making judgments about people you don't even know and for heaven's sake quit whinging!
Last edited by Parnassia; 12-20-2023 at 03:52 PM..
Thank you! I am so sick and tired hearing the same old tripe that retirement = being unproductive or doing nothing. I retired from a career I enjoyed. For the most part. It was a functional outlet for my personal beliefs, hopes, and energy. Paid employment provided me with a roof, food on the table, the chance to experience many different areas of the USA and a way to leverage savings for the future. I feel very fortunate. Many folks never find a vocation, passion or whatever you choose to call it.
All that being said, this does NOT mean there weren't aspects of my career I didn't particularly like and in a perfect world would not choose to put up with. The sweeping broad brush statement "working was a negative experience" simply doesn't apply.
I don't feel leaving those negative aspects behind meant I voluntarily gave up being productive, active, vital, or interested. I am still involved in the same causes and interests...just in a different way. I do not "sit around and do nothing" now that I'm not being paid to show up at a job site M-F, 8 to 5. I have the freedom to focus on specific aspects of those same interests and to do as much or as little as I choose from day to day.
Instead of "work" being an imperative it is now a prerogative. Why this is such a difficult concept for some to understand eludes me.
For Pete's sake, otter, if you miss being employed so much, go get a job! Who's stopping you? Quit making judgments about people you don't even know and for heaven's sake quit whinging!
Same here as far as my career, or rather careers, as I was lucky or adventurous enough to have several very different career paths while working for the Navy. The two that gave me the most satisfaction were running the environmental program and being the Inspector General for the command. Both involved problem-solving, investigating, inspections, and a great deal of travel to some very out of the way locations. I loved the work and the opportunity to interact with people all over the world. I consider being a Master Gardener now an outgrowth of my environmental program days, and I love doing that as well. I've also recently become involved in model railroading, and plan to have a garden railroad in the future. In the meantime, I have two different gauge tracks in my "man cave", which was previously unused space. I don't sit around on my bum all the time (although I do like to read immensely) doing nothing and being bored. What would be the point?
Thank you! I am so sick and tired hearing the same old tripe that retirement = being unproductive or doing nothing. I retired from a career I enjoyed. For the most part. It was a functional outlet for my personal beliefs, hopes, and energy. Paid employment provided me with a roof, food on the table, the chance to experience many different areas of the USA and a way to leverage savings for the future. I feel very fortunate. Many folks never find a vocation, passion or whatever you choose to call it.
All that being said, this does NOT mean there weren't aspects of my career I didn't particularly like and in a perfect world would not choose to put up with. The sweeping broad brush statement "working was a negative experience" simply doesn't apply.
I don't feel leaving those negative aspects behind meant I voluntarily gave up being productive, active, vital, or interested. I am still involved in the same causes and interests...just in a different way. I do not "sit around and do nothing" now that I'm not being paid to show up at a job site M-F, 8 to 5. I have the freedom to focus on specific aspects of those same interests and to do as much or as little as I choose from day to day.
Instead of "work" being an imperative it is now a prerogative. Why this is such a difficult concept for some to understand eludes me.
For Pete's sake, otter, if you miss being employed so much, go get a job! Who's stopping you? Quit making judgments about people you don't even know and for heaven's sake quit whinging!
The best thing to do for someone looking for post-retirement work, part-time or full-time, is to let your network; i.e., former colleagues and/or contacts like clients or contractors, know you are looking and open to employment.
I work part-time, and I could go full-time if I wanted to. Last year I heard from a former exec, now retired, from the public agency agency from which I retired. He knew of an opportunity working for another former colleague and asked if I was interested.
At the time I was caregiving and living out of the country. Just heard from him again this week. Sent his condolences on my loss, and if I am interested, our other colleague is still looking for someone like me.
And note, I don't even have a college degree. Experience is worth a lot more than one might think.
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