The Retirement Thread

[AlanW]

I will admit the thought of retiring is quite daunting really and as much as I'm looking forward to it, (I think?) the thought of having no regimented regime fills me with utter dread.

When COVID struck and I was furloughed for two months, I was lost, utterly lost Okay, everything was either shut or locked down so not really a true reflection, but I lost any interest in even getting out of bed. Well, that's not strictly true, I was still getting up the same time as if I was going to work, having breakfast and then going back to bed again.

I'm 64 in February and I've been in full time employment since I was sixteen, so it's gonna be a huge shakeup which I guess I'm just going to have to deal with somehow?

The real sad fact, I enjoy my job and the people I work with, but after having spinal surgery back in July it made me think life. I had four prolapsed discs which meant I was only able to walk a few yards before my leg went numb and I starting to drag my right foot. On the flip side, no problem riding my bike at all???

I'm pleased to say that the op was a 100% success, even if I had to pay private for it (don't get me started on that one!!) But it made me rethink that life is too short and you never know what is around the corner?

 

[PaulSB]

I will admit the thought of retiring is quite daunting really and much as I'm looking forward to it, (I think?) the thought of having no regimented regime fills me with utter dread.

When COVID struck and I was furloughed for two months, I was lost, utterly lost Okay, everything was either shut or locked down so not really a true reflection, but I lost any interest in even getting out of bed. Well, that's not strictly true, I was still getting up the same time as if I was going to work, having breakfast and then going back to bed again.

I'm 64 in February and I've been in full time employment since I was sixteen, so it's gonna be a huge shakeup which I guess I'm just going to have to deal with somehow?

The real sad fact, I enjoy my job and the people I work with, but after having spinal surgery back in July it made me think life. I had four prolapsed discs which meant I was only able to walk a few yards before my leg went numb and I starting to drag my right foot. On the flip side, no problem riding my bike at all???

I'm pleased to say that the op was a 100% success, even if I had to pay private for it (don't get me started on that one!!) But it made me rethink that life is too short and you never know what is around the corner?

OK. I get this. While the lack of a regimented regime doesn't fill me with dread I do need structure to my week and with a little thought I would suggest it's relatively easy to create. Very broadly my week follows this pattern:

• Monday - cycling with buddies
• Tuesday - minding granddaughter, change beds, washing
• Wednesday - cycling with buddies
• Thursday - housework, Aldi dash, other shopping
• Friday - cycling with buddies
• Saturday - kept free
• Sunday - kept free, sometimes a club ride

Now it isn't as rigid as this as I have loads of other stuff I like to do. It's actually very flexible, if for some reason we can't ride on a nominated day things get switched around, if I'm busy with other stuff riding gets junked for a few days and I get out with the club at the weekend. Granddaughter is the only thing which cannot be moved around. Lists! I have lists of things I need to do. The list will contain long, medium and short-term things which need doing. So a long-term item could be working on the cycle club web page, medium-term would be a task to do during the week - cut grass, rake leaves, short-term would be a "do today" task - could be as simple as fixing a new light to a bike or as large as paint the lounge.

Structure is important to me. I'm the world's greatest procrastinator, which is why I'm typing this and not hoovering! I very much understand your concerns but would assure you with a bit of thought it's relatively easy to find a solution. I just moved some of my work disciplines into retired life. The great joy of course is one can just say "feck it" I'm not doing anything today and it doesn't matter.

 

[PaulSB]

I really popped in for some sympathy. -8C last night. While showering I noticed the shower tray was filling with water. Spotted this just in time before we had a deluge from the tray while I idly thought about the day ahead. Phoned the plumber who suggested rather than a blocked waste pipe it is probably frozen outside where it joins the soil pipe. Had a bit of a chat and agreed the best way forward is not to attempt a defrost as this could cause the pipe to crack but wait for the weekend thaw - if it arrives! He's offered to come next week if necessary.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I will admit the thought of retiring is quite daunting really and as much as I'm looking forward to it, (I think?) the thought of having no regimented regime fills me with utter dread.

When COVID struck and I was furloughed for two months, I was lost, utterly lost Okay, everything was either shut or locked down so not really a true reflection, but I lost any interest in even getting out of bed. Well, that's not strictly true, I was still getting up the same time as if I was going to work, having breakfast and then going back to bed again.

I'm 64 in February and I've been in full time employment since I was sixteen, so it's gonna be a huge shakeup which I guess I'm just going to have to deal with somehow?

The real sad fact, I enjoy my job and the people I work with, but after having spinal surgery back in July it made me think life. I had four prolapsed discs which meant I was only able to walk a few yards before my leg went numb and I starting to drag my right foot. On the flip side, no problem riding my bike at all???

I'm pleased to say that the op was a 100% success, even if I had to pay private for it (don't get me started on that one!!) But it made me rethink that life is too short and you never know what is around the corner?

During my working career I was very driven - aspirational and target focussed and forever working through task lists. It was the nature of the corporate beast.

Retirement for me is about letting all that go, trying to just take each day as it comes and making the most of it.

Obviously, there will always be a need for some element of planning in any person's life but I try and keep that to a minimum.

 

[BoldonLad]

I will admit the thought of retiring is quite daunting really and as much as I'm looking forward to it, (I think?) the thought of having no regimented regime fills me with utter dread.

When COVID struck and I was furloughed for two months, I was lost, utterly lost Okay, everything was either shut or locked down so not really a true reflection, but I lost any interest in even getting out of bed. Well, that's not strictly true, I was still getting up the same time as if I was going to work, having breakfast and then going back to bed again.

I'm 64 in February and I've been in full time employment since I was sixteen, so it's gonna be a huge shakeup which I guess I'm just going to have to deal with somehow?

The real sad fact, I enjoy my job and the people I work with, but after having spinal surgery back in July it made me think life. I had four prolapsed discs which meant I was only able to walk a few yards before my leg went numb and I starting to drag my right foot. On the flip side, no problem riding my bike at all???

I'm pleased to say that the op was a 100% success, even if I had to pay private for it (don't get me started on that one!!) But it made me rethink that life is too short and you never know what is around the corner?

I can understand your concerns. I worked from age 17, until retirement at 60. I worked in IT, and, had few interests (other than cycling) outside of IT.

Two things I found, one, a surprise, the other, not so much:

- first, the surprise. I never regarded myself as a "people person", but, much to my surprise, when I stopped working, the thing I missed the most was "people contact", ie, just seeing and chatting to people other than my wife (no offence to her). It took me a little while, but, I solved this by building a couple of groups of friends/acquaintences with whom I socialise, once or perhaps twice per week (out for a meal/drink/walk/cycle).

- not a surprise, I had to establish a "routine". I found this fairly simple to do, I do have a good relationship with my wife, and, we enjoy doing things together, so, establishing a little routine of walking/cycling/gardening/eating out/travelling together was pretty straighforward, but, had the advantage over the old work routine in that we could just change our routine at a whim, if we so wished. Not everyone likes to have a regimented regime of course, but, if you do, you simply have to make yourself a new regime.

In the unlikely. event that I run out of "things to do", my wife can usually come to the rescue with some task I have overlooked or ignored.

 

[12boy]

Gotta pay my attorney for drawing up a will and since the roads ain't great I am thinking of walking downtown to do this, praps stopping in at the grocery store for a few things. With the windchill it is -17C which isn't too bad. There is a little sun today, the first since Monday, so I will wear terminally hip Raybans to avoid snow blindness. Be good to get out of the casa for a spell. Coming back will be warmer than going cause it is pretty much uphill and the wind will be at my back.

 

[welsh dragon]

I always had targets, lists, appraisals, tight deadlines to meet in my working life as a manager.

Now I am retired, I never wear a watch, never clock watch, never plan. I simply go with the flow. What I do today will depend on how I feel. I don't have set days for housework or say washing days, it's a case of meh, whatever. I don't plan meals or when I am going to shop. I have a happy, relaxed life now.

 

[pawl]

I always had targets, lists, appraisals, tight deadlines to meet in my working life as a manager.

Now I am retired, I never wear a watch, never clock watch, never plan. I simply go with the flow. What I do today will depend on how I feel. I don't have set days for housework or say washing days, it's a case of meh, whatever. I don't plan meals or when I am going to shop. I have a happy, relaxed life now.

The only thing ki loosely plan is cycling Mon We’d Fri Outdoors if weather OK Turbo otherwise If I don’t feel like it I don’t bother.

The only other activity is once a fortnight go to Stoke-On-Trent to meet sister in law and husband Walk along the canal bank Stop for coffee at Joules Brewery Lunch at Witherspoon for lunch They come to us a fortnight later.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've been busy tonight, I've been wheelchair brake fettling, it was moving round the wheelchair space on the bus this afternoon because one of the brakes wasn't holding, I've also been baking again, another mincemeat cake, it came out a lot better than my first attempt, though the first attempt was edible this one looks a lot better.

 

[Mo1959]

First proper snow here. Probably only a couple of inches though and already reports on our local town Facebook page saying the roads are carnage with people getting stuck. I swear people just don’t know how to drive now. They all have these great big SUV’s and can’t drive the feckin things.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Good morning from a very cold and frosty Coventry, early morning supermarket run shortly, I've got a windscreen to defrost in a while.

 

[welsh dragon]

Cooooeeee. Another -8 for us.

You know what they say about men with big cars Mo.all the gear and no ide.


Stay safe peeps

 

[Mo1959]

You know what they say about men with big cars Mo.all the gear and no ide.

Oh, I thought it was big cars, small d***s

 

[Dave7]

Hello the house.
Was up at 0630 as I had decided on an Aldi dash. Its bl**dy freezing but imo that is better than fighting the crowds.
Not a bad sleep. I have tried taking pain killers just before bed and that gives me 6 hours decent sleep.
Todays chore is to visit the auntie and sort her money out. She thinks that, at Christmas, she has to give money to everyone. Its her money and I have given up trying to explain things to her.

 

[Dave7]

I've been busy tonight, I've been wheelchair brake fettling, it was moving round the wheelchair space on the bus this afternoon because one of the brakes wasn't holding, I've also been baking again, another mincemeat cake, it came out a lot better than my first attempt, though the first attempt was edible this one looks a lot better.

View attachment 671349

Looks good.....chuck us a slice please