"It's all over now..."

[Bob Womack]

Congrats, Todd. Now on to the next chapter.

Bob

[Jim Owen]

Welcome to the club, Todd. Peace.

[rmp]

congrats, I hope to be right behind you, (end of may..)

[fitness1]

Thanks for the kind words guys - just had a long, hard sleep. I've got to head back into the studio to meet the buyer of my equipment and move the two largest pieces (pray for my soul) out and that will be it.

And the golf course opens Monday! At least until it gets cold and snows again!!

[Slothead56]

I thought about this long and hard overnight before posting.

I suspect that you, like many here who are retired, have multiple interests and activities and planned accordingly before retirement. (My list was golf, fishing, guitar, songwriting, reading, house chores, etc. in no particular order.)

I was a road warrior. Travelled quite a bit the last 10 or 12 years (excluding being housebound during the pandemic.)

I found after about a year of retirement (it was actually Mrs. Slot who pointed it out) that I missed people contact beyond friends (many of whom were still working) and family. I was resistant at first but ultimately took a small part time position working in a golf pro shop. That lasted about 4 months.

Since then I’ve held a couple of small, seemingly meaningless positions.

I was determined to do things that were far afield from my work in sales and marketing…and it’s been great. I’ve had little responsibility beyond showing up on time. And I’ve learned to check my ego at the door. My latest gig is as a Bailiff in our local courthouse. One week on, one week off. I get up early, actually have to shower and shave and put on a suit! The actual work is simple but what I see everyday is fascinating.

For now, sleep late, eat right, get exercise, stimulate your mind and take care of your inner self. But I’d encourage any recently retired person to not shy away from the idea of doing something part time that may stimulate you.

Most of us are a lot younger than our years. And there’s plenty of runway left.

But, as always, you do you. Congratulations again of reaching this milestone.

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

I suspect that you, like many here who are retired, have multiple interests and activities and planned accordingly before retirement.


I found after about a year of retirement (it was actually Mrs. Slot who pointed it out) that I missed people contact beyond friends (many of whom were still working) and family.

I'm not sure what will come in regards to social engagement. I've always cherished my solitude because my work was "one on one" with a different person every hour - kind of a social chameleon if you will. There was a time when I enjoyed it, but in the past decade it had become more of a grind as more and more it seemed my clientele wanted me to be their therapist as well.

I think I'll easily find the right balance of social and solitude THROUGH my activities. I have my golf buddies M-F, for the first time in 30 years I'll be joining a fitness center, and cycling friends, music buddies, etc. I'm also planning to travel and visit old friends, and get back into my mountain vacations.

Going forward I just know that I want to be responsible for as little as possible - and that includes material things. The coming months are going to bring a huge selling off of things that I don't absolutely need.

[Gasworker]

I was never as good at anything I ever did as I m at being retired. Congratulations Todd.

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by Gasworker

I was never as good at anything I ever did as I m at being retired.

Love it!!

[Mr. Jelly]

Remember that life goes on. The world is still turning and the only thing that has changed is your work situation. That type of thing got lost to me for a while after I retired. It is different but mostly it's different in how you feel. That takes some time to work through. In the end you will come through it to a beautiful life of retirement. It's amazing to me that I can live without working.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Gasworker

I was never as good at anything I ever did as I m at being retired. Congratulations Todd.

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

...It's amazing to me that I can live without working.

Ditto here....

[TRose]

Congratulations!
Enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it.
All the best,
Tom

[Jim Owen]

Originally Posted by fitness1

Thanks for the kind words guys - just had a long, hard sleep. I've got to head back into the studio to meet the buyer of my equipment and move the two largest pieces (pray for my soul) out and that will be it.



And the golf course opens Monday! At least until it gets cold and snows again!!

Leaving my office was the hardest. There was no room for books I’d been amassing for 40 plus years. I could take only a couple boxes. Turning off the lights in an empty room and turning in my keys was a bit weird.

But waking the next day a free human was sweet.

[TomB'sox]

Congrats to you! I remember waking up that first day after I stopped working and felt 3-4 inches taller, I felt like the world had been lifted from my shoulders. My job was pretty intense and I was a slave to a schedule that could not be broken, to not have that after 35 years was amazing.

I never let the job define me and always said I work so I can live I do not live so I can work. Enjoy the fruits of your long hard years of work and come to see us this Sept. in Tx and hang out with a bunch of guitar freaks and R-e-l-a-x! Why not, you can do what you want now!

[Mandobart]

I'm literally right behind you. Next week is my last at work. Capping off over 43 years in the nuclear power field. I could stay longer - it's been a challenging and rewarding career. I enjoy the work and my coworkers, but I enjoy my free time more. I feel that the years from 60 to 70 are likely to be the best combination of free time, energy level, health, etc. and I don't (currently) want to spend any at work.

I've tried to prepare for it by recognizing:

1. I've never been retired before, it'll be different than I expect.

2. It'll be like starting a new job, so I'll need to learn and adjust.

3. I may, like others have said, find I want to be in the workforce again, so I've already got contacts with a few possibilities (who are eager to put me to work if I choose).

4. I'm avoiding any other major life changes or commitments.

I'm at the Wintergrass festival right now and having a blast as always! Really looking forward to a LOT more time for music!

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by fitness1

Saw my last client at 9:30am - spent most of the rest of the day moving personal stuff out of the studio, then this evening getting the equipment out - buyer coming back in the morning for the last two pieces.

It all seems a little surreal....45 years just about right now. A few months each in a shoe and hardware store, 7.5 years at the record store and 37 years in the fitness business.

Lots of great memories and hopefully some new adventures coming.

How did I get this old??

Best wishes for what's next!