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Dogs, perfect, and volunteer are great ideas. Plus I've been asked to coach a woman's ice hockey team since I've played on a women's league for 14 years.
See, you're not a totally extreme workaholic after all, since you have that interesting and challenging hobby of playing women's ice hockey. What a great thing to continue into retirement, especially since the exercise and fitness benefits are built in!
I have posted previously about how I was recruited by a local school district to read aloud to classes as a volunteer. They were looking for people to go into kindergarten and first grade, but I protested that I had never dealt with such young children and said I would give fifth grade a try, thinking I would finish out the school year and give it up if I didn't like it. Well, I loved it and three and a half years later I am going strong, having expanded to a total of six fifth grade classes divided between two different schools. (The format is 30 minutes once a week for each class).
That activity probably seems too tame and routine for many people, but I have found there is actually a certain challenge in it, namely the challenge of finding the correct books which will challenge the kids but at the same time not be too far beyond them. The positive reaction of the students and teachers has been its own reward, and it is so enjoyable if one has a bit of the ham in him/her. Standing in front of a group, even if it's only 30 or 35 fifth graders, and holding that group in the palm of your hand is pretty neat.
Last week I had a boy approach me at lunch time asking to be told the outcome of an episode, explaining he was so curious and anxious to know. I told him he would just have to wait another half hour, at which time the whole class would find out!
I have added a chess club at lunch time (once per week) on the days that I am at each of the two schools. As I work individually with some of the students on chess, I find I get to know them a bit as individuals. The principals of the two schools seem to appreciate and value the chess club as well.
Anyone here go from being a "workaholic" to a retiree successfully?
Did it bother you to not be collecting a traditional paycheck?
Have too much time on your hands?
Feel unproductive?
I'm interested in hearing stories, tips, whatever!
I actually did it incrementally. It began when I spent a couple of years "reinventing" myself following a divorce. In the process I realized that my career choices and my professional drive had contributed to the demise of a long-term marriage.
Next up I remarried and found that my marriage was more important to me than mere employment and reached a comfortable level to accommodate both.
Finally, I decided that work wasn't fun or fulfilling anymore and it was time for me to leave, so I did!
See, you're not a totally extreme workaholic after all, since you have that interesting and challenging hobby of playing women's ice hockey. What a great thing to continue into retirement, especially since the exercise and fitness benefits are built in!
I have posted previously about how I was recruited by a local school district to read aloud to classes as a volunteer. They were looking for people to go into kindergarten and first grade, but I protested that I had never dealt with such young children and said I would give fifth grade a try, thinking I would finish out the school year and give it up if I didn't like it. Well, I loved it and three and a half years later I am going strong, having expanded to a total of six fifth grade classes divided between two different schools. (The format is 30 minutes once a week for each class).
That activity probably seems too tame and routine for many people, but I have found there is actually a certain challenge in it, namely the challenge of finding the correct books which will challenge the kids but at the same time not be too far beyond them. The positive reaction of the students and teachers has been its own reward, and it is so enjoyable if one has a bit of the ham in him/her. Standing in front of a group, even if it's only 30 or 35 fifth graders, and holding that group in the palm of your hand is pretty neat.
Last week I had a boy approach me at lunch time asking to be told the outcome of an episode, explaining he was so curious and anxious to know. I told him he would just have to wait another half hour, at which time the whole class would find out!
I have added a chess club at lunch time (once per week) on the days that I am at each of the two schools. As I work individually with some of the students on chess, I find I get to know them a bit as individuals. The principals of the two schools seem to appreciate and value the chess club as well.
That is great, and it does not sound tame at all! Kids can be a challenge. I bet they love listening, and look forward to each week.
I started working at 13. I've always had a full time and a part time job and at times worked 60-80 hours a week. At 58 I was offered an early buy out and retired. I still woke up at 6am the day after my retirement, but managed to get my coffee, make breakfast and just go for a walk. The feeling was one of freedom. That was almost 5 years ago and I haven't missed working a bit, not a bit. With retirement and now collecting social security I'm almost making as much as I did working. I sleep better, and am actually relaxed. Not bored at all, and as Henry Beemis once said "there's time now, time enough at last".
As far as the whole "being productive for the masses" crap. Pfft. I don't care. Someone else can do that while I go fishing.
As far as the whole "being productive for the masses" crap. Pfft. I don't care. Someone else can do that while I go fishing.
That's pretty funny and so true! I really don't have any desire to "be productive" unless that means seeing my grandchildren a lot, going for long walks, gazing at my garden all summer, staying up till 1 AM and doing whatever I feel like. I've only been retired for 5 months and I guess I'm still getting my "retirement legs" but gee, it's a lot less structured than I thought it would be. I don't miss a thing about the old 9-5 and I thought I would.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Really depends on the individuals, as there can be significant health and relationship benefits for 'work-intense/ folks to keep working if they can't 'chill'.
They are very likely to mess up Community Service and Non-Profit Boards of Directors, or make miserable ALL the people living in an HOA. (and drive spouse NUTS). Thus often best left working. Or another PT job is often intense enough for them to feel of value.
Be Assured that MANY workaholics adjust right into 'retirement'. For some personalities it is a SWITCH; and 'work' goes OFF. And all live happily ever after... especially the previous subordinates of EX- Work-o-maniac' bosses.
Good riddance ! No more caustic performance evaluations, and pitting employees against each other.
For me... after an age 49 retirement I went back to college. "NO, I'm NOT the professor!, He / she was MUCH younger than I!).
I did 4 non-profit gigs making it a POINT to stay a 'Worker-bee,' NOT pursuing management role. Worked great for learning. I have many investment props and working Hobbies (that pay their own way) and mentoring projects.
I have done about 3 significant buy / sell property exchanges per yr (since retirement). I prefer property transactions and contracts to doing Crossword Puzzles to exercise the mind.
I Really want to learn a few languages and a few more instruments.
Plenty to do... I should have retired at age 35.
For those who feel an urge to PRODUCE... Google, UPS, Contract Mail carriers, and Fed Ex are hiring TODAY for seasonal workers. It can be intense enough to fill an annual quota of the average 'retiree' over-achiever.
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