Retirement

I have been at home for 2 years now. I started by giving myself time - behaving as if I had some time off. 2 years on I haven’t done anything much, and I have no time as I have developed s new routine with housework, shopping and gardening. Don’t get into the internet or TV . I can lose whole weeks at that. If there were such things as part time jobs available ( there isn’t!!) I don’t know if I could hold one down now as I could lose a morning getting up and getting ready for one!! I used to be so very busy with boundless capacity - now everything is so difficult and I feel so very limited - and I have my health !!

Disneyfan you will be fine! I took early retirement 5 months ago and felt like I was a lemming about to jump off a cliff ?. The reality was not falling into the unknown but gliding through a blue sky to peace and tranquility. Working 12 hour shifts, you are full of resourcefulness so live the life you want to live now, whatever you want to do. It’s your life and you will find so many opportunities if you care to look that you too. I don’t wonder how I found time to go to work, but do wonder why I did it for so long. Best wishes and a big hug xx

I kept one and half hours on at work for pin money and at first struggled to fill my time. Summer was easy but winter you are indoors a lot on your own. I decided no one else would sort me out so I looked around on notice boards ,library, shop windows.
Joined WI. another ladies group and a walking group. Each of these three groups leads to lunches or coffee in the day time with like minded people. I also have an allotment. I still feel lonely occasionally but I was the first of my friends to retire so I'm sure as more join me it will become easier. If you asked me though I wouldn't go back. Only one year in so life is ok. Make new friends and enjoy.

Don't plan anything. Just start your retirement and let things happen. You may find that you are really content just pottering around and doing your "own thing". When/if you feel you want to do more - then you can.

But do what you want to do, not what you think you ought to do, or what other people think you ought to be doing.

I am of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with doing very little, and doing things more slowly, after a lifetime of 18 hour days and rushing about.

There are plenty of part time jobs in retail but you do need to be able to stand for hours! I love my 3 days work a week and the money is very helpful ?

Definitely don't rush into doing anything. Just wind down and take some time out. Then consider your options. I have been retired over 5 years after a manic legal career. I do some volunteering now and spend time with people I didn't have time to see much before. I also fund raise and campaign. I will take this opportunity to chuck in the link to my current campaign for reduction of waste of NHS funds. Please sign and share if you agree
Here is the link
chng.it/PDLCHdQM

I agree with DoraMarr and others. Don't commit to anything at first - take a holiday, have a real rest, and then then consider your options. I retired from a very hectic job with long hours, but I took to retirement like a duck to water. One thing I found was that I was able to slow down - so that all the things I'd fitted into "spare time", could be done at a much slower pace.

Thank you. I'll have a look.

I agree with Mapleleaf. I retired end of July and everyone kept asking me the same thing. First off had daughters wedding in August so that went in a flash followed by holiday in Sept. Since then I have sorted the garden, cleared out some cupboards and met up with old friends for lunch. I do aqua aerobics 3 times a week and if I meet anyone from work they all say I am looking so much happier. Still taking things slowly as don't want to be committed to too much. so just take it easy and feel your way into it - after all you have all the time in the world now! Enjoy

We are always saying that we don't know how we found the time to work - there always seems to be something that has to be done to the house or garden etc!

Obviously, Disneyfan the first thing to do is book that flight to Florida?‍♂️?‍♀️??‍♀️✈️

Off you go. Stay a month. You won’t be disappointed ?

You will find that you will adjust. Brilliant being able to set your own timetable. Don't have to rush everywhere and can find time to do the things that you want to do. In 6 months time you will be working how you ever found time to go to work.

There is a similar post from a gn who is considering retirement, and the advice there is relevant to you. I would suggest having a few weeks settling in before you take on any commitments- you don’t want to rush into volunteering and then find it is a burden. U3A is a great organisation, and you will meet people and try new things
www.u3a.org.uk/
Most of all, enjoy! You are retiring at just the right time- no more dark, cold mornings going to work, just roll over under your duvet!

Thank you all for your comments. I will take time and see what I'll do. Thanks .

Poster, not lister.

Easier said than done, I would have thought, to get a part time job. ( Also the lister might not want one). Anyway, my advice is don't rush into doing anything straight away, get a feel for being retired first, and don't let people make you feel guilty for being retired!! Everyone is different. Some people will find the adjustment hard, others won't.
Think about things that interest you (not everything will involve a huge financial outlay, in fact most things won't), have you got hobbies that you will be able to spend more time on, for example. (Gardening, a sport, photography, bird watching, etc).
After a rest, you might indeed want to volunteer, but keep it on your terms or it may turn into an unpaid job with the expectation that you will turn up on specific days when in fact you might just want to stay in that day and do very little!
There are plenty of short term courses on futurelearn which are free (unless you decide you would like a certificate upon completion which you'd have to pay for) and they cover every category imaginable. I've done lots and enjoyed them. It keeps the brain cells active ?.
My main message though, is don't panic. Relax and enjoy this new stage in your life.

If you’re doing 12 hour shifts you will be climbing the wall within a few weeks, get a part time job maybe 3 days a week the cash is always useful, enjoy the rest of the time doing what you want

As you can see Midgey I am still "bellyaching! ha, but the mention of retirement leaves me cold!!!

With you Oldandverygrey. Retirement is great if you have enough money to do ‘stuff’ but oh so tedious otherwise!

Disneyfan- I do hope you enjoy your retirement more than I do, I wish you well.

Enjoy it. I didn't do much at first but then I volunteered in a primary school, helping 6 and 7 year olds with their reading. Just one afternoon a week. It was lovely. I also went on a few school trips with them to castles, theatres etc. The school pay as you are there to help.

Congratulations, I’m sure you will love being retired.
I would suggest not to rush into taking on anything new immediately, you’ll probably feel you’re on holiday for a few weeks at first!
People mean well, they just cannot imagine how you will fill your days when you don’t work- believe me, you will!
Enjoy!