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| Norman's birthday breakfast |
I have nothing to blog about... no emergency surgery, no AC problems, no house-hold malfunctions, etc. Wow! It's kind of nice.
So coming up with something to post has been difficult this week.
I decided that I'd ask a few questions instead. Feel free to answer if you'd like, but I have no expectations, so it's fine if you're not inclined.
Since many of the bloggers I read and perhaps that read my posts are retirees or if not already retired, are thinking about it in the next few years... I'm curious about a few things.
1. Before retirement, what was/is the main thing (important to you) that retirement offered?
2. And (if already) retired, did you get it?
With me, it was "freedom"... knowing that I owned my own time.
And did I get it? Yes, for the most part. And I say this because even though we are free to do what we want when we want, there are things that we are not financially free to do... like travel around the world, etc. But although we have done a little bit of that in the past, it's not high up on our bucket lists, so a non-problem.
3. Was there one (or several things) about retirement that you hadn't thought about (pre-retirement) or weren't prepared for?
I guess here I would have to say that the "there's always tomorrow" attitude that comes after retirement has a good and a bad side. Yes, there is always tomorrow (or at least we hope there is), but... because of this, sometimes I think I got more done when I had to squeeze it in within my work schedule. Now I procrastinate more - because I can.
4. Are you enjoying your retirement now? And if not, why?
For me, the answer is definitely "yes!" as DH and I now have time to spend together. Some of my family and friends never had this chance, so I do appreciate this opportunity.
and
5. What have you 'learned' since retirement that you hadn't thought much about before?
This is a more difficult one to answer as it covers so much. And perhaps it's not so much as *learned*, but *become more aware of*...
I think that I've learned that if confused as to what to do, just remember to *be kind*.
and
that saying *no* isn't always a bad thing.
I'm sure there's more that I could come up with in time, but for now, that's it.
Have a great weekend!
And remember to be kind!!
I must be honest I hate being a so called retired person. I never did work only part time as I loved being home bringing up our three children and then a grandchild. I miss all the family and laughs we had when we were five.
ReplyDeleteI keep occupied with reading, sewing and lots of other things but nothing beats having a family around, I still miss all of them.
Briony
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I guess because you basically owned your own time for most of your life the freedom that comes with retirement from a work related environment is different for you. I can imagine that you did love being home bringing up your 3 children and then a grandchild. None of that is easy in itself, but at least you were able to spend your time with the people you loved... and I can imagine you would miss it. But being retired shouldn't keep you from being with them now?
DeleteThese are some good things to think about.
ReplyDeleteJust saw a picture of your grand daughter. She's precious... grandson is pretty cute too. Isn't being a grandparent wonderful?
DeleteI thought I'd travel after retirement but sadly not doing much of that; too many bills and not enough money to pay them; we really need to sell our home and move into a less expensive place and especially one without stairs, but hate the thought of moving with all the stress and work of it, not to mention how to make the move with our last cat Barney because he just has to have his outdoor time. Barney has been in this location for so long; I fear he would not fare well with a move or any type of confinement even temporary. For now we keep hanging on and doing the best we can. I never thought finances and health problems so early in my retirement days would take up so much of my energy and focus. Stress of these problems affects my energy to move forward with other projects much more than in my youth even middle and late years. I think life cycles should be taught in schools and at home continuously because there are things about life that one can never know or predict until it befalls them and then it is too late to plan for dealing with them.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I'm surprised that you would consider selling your home when it seems so suited for your pottery, life style, etc. Stairs can be a problem as we age. We have an upstairs (where the boys rooms were)but only use it as a guest room and work room for DH now... so we don't have to go up there much). And I know that many downsize as they age, but we haven't gotten to that point yet (and think it's always expensive to move too - not to mention the hassle). And yes, cats don't take to changes well. When I get stressed (whether it be over kids, grandkids, unexpected expenses, etc.) I have to sit down and make out a plan... for whatever reason, this helps. So hang in there. I like that old saying from that hotel movie, "Everything will be OK in the end, and if it's not... then it's not the end."
DeleteInteresting post, actually! I'm 53, so 12 years out from a standard retirement date, though I can't imagine--simply cannot--working where I am, as things stand now, for 12 more years. But who knows. Maybe if the AVP leaves, or if there's some reorg that leaves our little sub-unit in a better position....
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've always thought the luxury of having the time to go at your own pace would be the best thing about retirement. That, and not having to put up with the politics, the back-stabbing, the AVP's little tattle-tale pets, the butt-kissing, etc.
With my high-scale introverted, insular personality, however, it will be very challenging for me to get out the house and be around people enough so that I don't get depressed. I've already looked at our Seniors Association and they offer really neat stuff during the day times, some of which I'd be interested in, so I hope I'll be able to find something to engage me socially for at least a few mornings a week. I'm good at occupying myself, by myself, with camera, reading, other interests, but most of those interests are or can be solitary pursuits. So my mental health will be of uppermost concern to me, if I live long enough to "enjoy" my retirement!
Kim, I agree that the 'politics' that go on in work situations are a stress. And they exist in almost all work situations, some maybe more than others, but still. Staying out of them as much as possible is the only solution I ever came up with, but that's not always an option.
DeleteGetting out and staying social after retirement is an obstacle for those of us that are not that socially inclined. My mom went to the Senior Center when she lived with us. She enjoyed it (but mom was an extremely social person).
DH and I have not done this. We're not 'joiners'. But I do go to classes at the college close by... pottery, exercise, etc. I guess this is my attempt to stay social and encourage my creativity. Between our kids, classes, and a few close friends... we stay busy.
5 more years of work for me as I only have one large bill to pay for and that's my car (which I am paying more than half a payment extra every month to get it paid). Unfortunately for me I got laid off of a job I held for 15 yrs that I had to cash in my 401k after my severance ran out to pay some bills off because I wasn't sure how long it would be before I got another job. It was almost a year later that I got on as a temp for 4 months and then on permanently with another large company making somewhat decent money for a 59 yr old woman in this day and age. And very happy to have insurance again!! So now all I do is work and try not to spend money to save for retirement. I am so looking forward to not having to get up and go to work and puttering each day at home. I may not be able to travel much but I will have no problem at all staying home every day. I have enough to do that boredom will not be a problem for me. I just hope I live long enough to enjoy some of those retirement years. :)
ReplyDeleteKathy, you seem to have things pretty much in hand. Paying off your car or house is extremely important to do before retirement. It really helps the financial situation. And insurance is another important issue. 5 more years is not too long (at least I've found that time is passing pretty fast these days). And yes, getting up and knowing the day is yours to do as you please is a wonderful incentive.
DeleteI have been retired for nine years now, and my working life seems like a dream that happened to someone else. I love my retired life, keep busy, volunteer for a few hours a week, and spend plenty of my time socializing with friends I've made online. You're one of them. I finished a book yesterday that I would never had read when I was working. I enjoyed it and realize that my life is pretty darn good right now. I'm done with travel and am enjoying and just appreciating every day. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan, I think you organized your retirement very well indeed. But I also think you are probably a more social person than some of us (meaning me).
DeleteI too consider you an online friend and talk to friends and family here about your life, things you post, etc. So you have expanded my social awareness and enriched my life. Thank you.
I love being retired. I worked for 48 years and I was ready. I think I love the lack of a schedule the best. Spontaneity rules. You do make a good point though on it being too easy to procrastinate. I need to work on that. There is no guarantee we will have tomorrow to lean on.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you love being retired, Patti. Me too! I try to work on the procrastinating problem by doing 'a little' of what needs to be done each day (rather then doing it all in one day like I used to do). This way I feel that I've accomplished something.
DeleteFor me, retirement has been everything I dreamed it would be. I am truly a home-body. I wanted to to be able to keep house, but also spend hours and hours turning this five acres of woods we live in into a pretty yard and garden. I'm still working on that part. I wanted time to walk and think and plan and dream. My complaint is that time seems to go by faster now. Honestly, I wonder now how I worked eight hours a day, drove over an hour to work and an over an hour home, kept the house clean, cooked supper every night...now there is not enough hours in the day. Thank you for asking. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your last post. You have such beautiful children!!
I agree about the "time" thing... it does seem to go faster these days. And I too wonder how I ever found time to "work"... what with husband, house, 3 kids, pets, etc. (and there were times when I worked 7am to 7pm...)But then we were young and full of energy. Now... not so much. But I too love having time to read, garden, sketch, watercolor, work on the pottery wheel, etc. - time to "create" - and make the life we want.
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