redundancy

[RobinS]

I was made redundant aged 55 end of March this year. My wife packed in her bus driving job and we went cycletouring round France and Spain for three months. Since we got back she has been doing freelance driving, but we are off next week to work a ski season in the alps, hosting a chalet. We get home from that at the beginning of May next year, and are planning a tour from Bilbao to Bohinj (in Slovenia), then home via the Dolomites, Austria and the Rhine to Hook of Holland. Redundancy the best thing that has happened to me for a long time.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I also drive busses, after many years in the photographic business. Too structured for long tours, but a good job, and a lot less stress than running a store and lab all day. I get in a few short day tours.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Go for it OP. I sold a business, paid everything off and now work part-time, what was the point in working full time for longer? To buy more stuff? Best thing I ever did, I've since toured France, Spain, done the C2C and hope to do the USA too and its far more enjoyable without having a fixed timescale, to get back for work.

There is loads of "work" about if you don't mind low wages.

The States are great for touring, I don't think the election will change all things all that much in the end.
https://www.adventurecycling.org/
https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/

 

[fixedfixer]

My being made redundant was (eventually) the best thing that ever happened to me. I have changed my outlook and now have a job in a different field that is so much more rewarding. I took time out to do stuff I wanted to.

 

[Slick]

I don't want to be the voice of negativity, but I used to play golf weekly with my old man and a load of his old pals. You don't spend so much time with that age group without learning a trick or two which includes two ears one mouth for a reason, so I would watch and listen. I learned various things like, who ever says hard work won't kill you was a liar, and that different men handled retirement very differently with varying degrees of success. I thought I had learned enough of their secrets to sell my business and join them full time. I lasted a day. My life has taken a huge change of direction, most of it unplanned in the end but still reasonably successful and lots more time to myself, so much so last summer was the first time in my life I sat in my back garden enjoying a cold beer in a hot day after my commute home with my bike, magic. My point being, think very carefully on your next move and only decide on a day when you feel good about where you are now. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[screenman]

I just tasted 4 days of retirement, ok two of them were the weekend, but I was happy to get back and earn a few bob at something I enjoy doing today.

 

[Slick]

Exactly, it's not for everyone and certainly not to be tackled unprepared. One gent in particular self confidence took a huge dip. It's amazing hom many men especially gauge their own self worth by what they do. Of course, I've seen a few skip gaily down the fairways in sheer delight at the thought of never having to answer to anybody again.

 

[galaxy]

I have had enough, working 7 ays a week and not enough mee time, sold the House Moving to Herefordshire in January.
Got to re start my Plastering Buisiness, but hey ho, i need a change.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Somewhat, Mrs. GA is in the public sector, and gets a few more than I do, and her job has benefits, and retirement. I drive busses for a private company that takes people from building to building among their rather spread out complex, so I have a nicer bus driving job than most. I also have more generous vacation than other companies do. But really, we have never heard of a bank holiday over here, nor have we as many holidays as other countries. We used to have a lot more unionization of work in this country when more jobs involved manufacturing, and we may be due another round of that. Or some other social contract between business and employees that makes for better wages and benefits, before this whole world outside of Europe turns into one gigantic sweatshop.

 

[F70100]

I'm retiring/taking redundancy next year and am looking forward to it very much. I still enjoy the mechanics of what I do (flying) but am more than ready to stop working anti social hours, random rosters, and packing a suitcase every time I go to work.

Got a C2C and Jogle planned for the first year of freedom and am looking forward to being able to cycle with my club regularly. One thing I haven't worked out is whether I'll want to keep flying. I've been at at it for 35 years so it would be difficult to walk away from but I'm not sure I'd want to pay to do it .

 

[S-Express]

One thing I haven't worked out is whether I'll want to keep flying. I've been at at it for 35 years so it would be difficult to walk away from but I'm not sure I'd want to pay to do it .

Friend of mine had that dilemma. He used to fly Jaguars in the RAF and left at a time when they gave you no documentation to carry forward. Legally, he wasn't even allowed to fly a Cessna 172 without a qualified PPL holder next to him. So he left flying completely and I don't think he particularly regrets it.

 

[Pale Rider]

Chances are the OP will be well happy with early retirement.

But as has been said, it's not for everybody and can take some getting used to.

Depends on the individual, and to an extent the job.

Durham Police went through a stage of some retired officers, putting it bluntly, not living long in retirement.

Part of the problem is the instant lack of purpose and status.

A copper who walks across Durham Market Place is recognized, even if it's only by some abuse from a punter.

A retired copper doing the same thing is just another bloke in the street.

I've heard a few reports mostly from acquaintances about early retirement and all seem to say it takes a bit of getting used to.

Another common theme is that after a few months they take some paid work.

My prosperously retired older brother was like that, doing nothing was great for a few weeks, OK for a few months, but he then began to get depressed about it.

Now working two or three days a week and all is well, as far as I can gather.

Shakespeare puts it much more concisely in Henry IV:

"If all the year were playing holidays,
"To sport would be as tedious as to work."

 

[david k]

I took someone on years ago who had retired and came back because he didn't like it. Said it's feels awful, it's like society has had enough of you, doesn't need you any ore and puts you out to pasture. He didn't like that and came back, he was a great inspiration to me, I learnt a lot from him so I'm very grateful, he sadly passed away a few years ago.
The people who seem to fair better, as previously said are those who take some part time work or who get involved with numerous hobbies.
I plan to reduce hours until I retire, then get as many hobbies as I can

 

[screenman]

I think it sad that so many people dislike the job they do, I seldom get a day when I do not look forward to the work I do.

 

[Slick]

I think it sad that so many people dislike the job they do, I seldom get a day when I do not look forward to the work I do.

I'm the same now, but it took a lot of management and years of real hard graft to get here.