Retirement: is it all it's cracked up to be?

I retired last July and loved it from the minute I finished! I think I would have been happy being a kept woman after the birth of my first child 41 years ago!
Who knew I'd feel like this ????

Hi Twice As Nice,
I also trained as a counsellor but didn't get accredited. Have you any suggestions for getting back into the world of counselling ( I worked as a youth counsellor for ten years ) . I am looking to cut down my hours from my current job ( teaching) and try to work or volunteer as a counsellor.

To appreciate retirement you have to have worked. You wouldn't enjoy it at 42 your mind and body are too young and you just are not in that stage. Being happy in retirement means you have time but at 42 I would not have been happy with the daily routine that i have now. But as an older women I can say it is better than I thought it would be.

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Unless you live in Canada I don't think this is helpful. Are you perhaps advertising your own company ?

Loooove it! Spent the morning on a long conversation with DS. Then in garden planting a clematis and other perennials now just in on GN for 5mins then ham salad lunch. Afternoon is planned to tidy up the mess in the garden then sit and read a rather depressing book I am halfway through or perhaps start something more cheerful then prepare dinner. Perhaps potter out with DH on dog walk etc. Such lovely relaxed days. Other days out for the day probably to a NT for lunch or whatever we fancy really.

Until I was 55 retirement seemed a daunting prospect. I couldn't imagine what I would do all day. However at 56 it suddenly seemed like a good idea and I took early retirement
Never looked back, like most people. Still meet up with former colleagues eight years on. I think at 42 (when I had a 'surprise' baby) the thought of being at home all day was frightening, and I went back to work.