My first day back to work yesterday after being out since the 17th was spent in a conference room overlooking the Mississippi. It was a nice location to be stuck in a fairly crowded room. I spent a little time off and on through the week checking e-mail and knocking out a few pesky things, but really didn't do any solid work while on vacation. I was busy. Even the days after my daughter went back to school I kept myself quite busy and decided there were more things I would have liked to have done with my time off. Granted, the knee and a couple other issues knocked me down a peg or two, but I have realized that once I do retire, I will do just fine keeping busy.
Granted, the earliest I am looking at retirement is summer of 2025, nearly six more years. More than likely it will be at least three years longer than that. But now that the countdown for DH's retirement, if his job lasts that long, is four years, which seems like a blink of an eye, it no longer feels like some futuristic point on a timeline, but a tangible and deliberate date on a calendar. Of course a gazillion life changes could happen between now and DH's retirement, and then again before mine. Worrying about being bored though is off my list to think about. I was worried about being an empty nester and not feeling like I have a purpose in my kids life, I now know I always will, but it will just be different.
For my older kids, I am moral support, feedback giver, and hopefully they feel, friend. This doesn't mean I won't still worry when they are feeling bad, mentally or physically, or need more specific and tangible support. I'll just continue to be there when they ask, and trust they know how to adult just fine without me. For the youngest, it's a bit different, but she needs to make decisions about classes, figure out how to be better organized, and plan for her future with us just giving her guidance and keeping our hands off the steering wheel. We still have accountability to each other, financially, and results, so we haven't cut that cord entirely.
It's time for DH and I to build a quality post child rearing life. I'd like him to find a hobby or two as he spends so much time with work. I see him take extra time with the yard on a nice day, so perhaps he'll be a gardener in the future. Maybe he'll find new part time gig, sort of in his current field, but without the long hours, and one he can stop doing as soon as he is not enjoying it. He'll figure it out. I decided yesterday though that while it was good to be back to work and I am happy I have a good job to come back to, I missed the time off, and we didn't even vacation. Maybe that means I am getting lazy. I'd like to think it just means I'll be OK when retirement happens, and my days will be filled with friends, family, activities, and hobbies that suit me.
I think you'll do just fine in retirement as you obviously have loads of interests. Even better if you and your husband can retire almost at the same time. One thing I've found though 10 months in is that it is OK to just do nothing sometimes. I guess I always had guilty feelings around doing nothing because my life was so busy, but I am enjoying the "do nothing times" as well. I guess we all have to figure it out for ourselves don't we!
ReplyDeleteBeing able to really pursue my interests will be my motivation. My parents had a good retirement, and the brief years my father in law had, he did more golf and travel.
DeleteI don't think it means you are getting lazy at all. You should, especially at this point in life, look forward to being in your own home and on your own time, or else what was the point? At least, that's how I feel about retirement. Granted, I've never, at least since my mid-20's, enjoyed a lot of comings and goings for the sake of coming and going. When I feel antsy and have the urge to get out, I go. But frankly, the older I get, the less that happens. I have grown to truly enjoy the days when I don't have to leave my home unless I want.
ReplyDeleteI had real lazy moments last week to be sure! My house is not as clean as it should be for someone home a full week, but then, I'll have weekends to tackle some big jobs. I didn't leave the house on Friday and it was so nice.
DeleteI hope your retirement is just all that.
ReplyDeleteSounds prudent to get the hubby with a hobby otherwise he will sit and mope or (worse) follow you around like a small child.
Since he should be done 2-4 years before me, hopefully he'll figure out loads to keep him busy.
DeleteRetirement is wonderful and you will love it. Do not put time constraints on deciding what you want to do or not do in retirement! So many people said I would be bored and kept asking what I will do, such as volunteering or taking classes, etc. I told them to stop asking and for at least the first year I was just playing it by ear and finding out who I really am and what I want to do. I am still leasing a rather unstructured life......my mornings and how I feel determine what I do and I absolutely love my life right now! I never expctd to be so happy or able to retire since I have no family and are alone but it is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat does sound quite annoying-good for you giving yourself space to just let the next stage develop. I'll heed your advice.
DeleteBelieve me, there is plenty to do outside a job. Most is fun. Or, at least satisfying.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is my job is so much a part of who I am and what I find important. I'll adjust though.
DeleteI enjoy a bit of structure to my time without much to do (just how I'm wired), but otherwise totally agree that you'll find plenty of amazing ways to fill your time.
ReplyDeleteI find I need structure or I get lazy-yes, lazy. I need some sort of timeline even if self imposed.
DeleteI can't wait! I've got about 4 more years and hubby has 3 before we hit 65 and can get on Medicare. If they dropped the age requirement or let people buy in sooner, he'd probably retire now and I would go back to subbing. We have lot of exploring we want to do and I want to take advantage of all those free classes that are held at the library during working hours. I want to paint and garden and hike and get to those estate sales when they start on Friday mornings.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of interesting things during the day-not really structured for working people, but I suppose they are not meant for the work force. Good luck with your plan. It's 67 for DH and my age bracket unfortunately-or is Medicare different age than Social security?
DeleteI get a statement from SS. It says that I can retire at 62, or at 66 and 8 months, or at 70, with the payouts getting progressively larger at those age points. It also says I have earned enough credits to qualify for Medicare at age 65. It says that even if I do not retire at 65 I have to be sure to contact SS and enroll in Medicare three months before my 65th birthday. What is not clear is if I actually have to be retired in order to collect Medicare benefits at 65.
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