Was retirement for you a good or not so good choice?

After 25+ yrs of 12hr rotating shifts I LOVE Retirement.

Now I really really enjoyed my job. I operated a power plant. Boilers, turbines, generators of various sizes and styles. As Control Operator ALL trades had to get approvals for work thru me. I had a great crew, experienced -----good at their job. We functioned as 'one' ---each knew what others needed and when needed.

But due to deregulation the plants were sold, new owners were investors (idiots) and dealing with their 'management' became a real chore.
SAFETY was ignored and tried/true methods were circumvented.
I quit over a major safety issue one fine Friday morning and then come Monday afternoon I officially went from 'unemployed' to RETIRED.

2 months shy of turning 50 years old.That was 13 years ago.

YES..retirement is great.
Lots of OTHER adventures to become involved with.......and time to do so.

What is strange is that when working money was a big concern.
Now.......it is the least of issues and I get less monthly then I ever did when employed.

Life is good......one only needs to stay involved with ANYTHING.

We retired as soon as we could (2008) and have thoroughly enjoyed it! We take an extended trip every April-October to get out of the Florida heat (see the blog link in our signature for more info). While back home Nov-Apr, I instruct and prepare taxes for AARP TaxAide and the DW is involved in a few volunteer opportunities in the community. Life is great and we couldn't be more pleased with our situation.

As a 50 year farmer, I'm glad to be out of that occupation. Hard labor, and very tough finances. Today I get some income from leasing some farm land, and working part time at the public school. Need some money to help live on and of course need something to do. Like to spend most of the summer in the mountains. Retirement is good, but a part time job is also good.

My retirement came a few years earlier than I had really planned, but I will say it was the best decision I was forced to make.

1) Hobbies - I really don't have any hobbies as such, but I do spend a good bit of time doing remodel jobs around our house. This year, I have painted two bathrooms and replaced the carpet in our family room with vinyl tile, with a few other projects till on the list.

2) Travel - DW and I plan a couple extended trips per year (2-3 week) and a number of smaller (less than one week) trips.

3) Volunteer - I do a bit of volunteering. Some is seasonal, some is a few hours each week, but gives me reason to get up and dressed.

winnietrey wrote:
I understand, and do not question, the reason folks retire. Job stress, health, want to do something different.

For some I think, it was the best thing they ever did, for others not so much.

I think, I fall in the latter category. I like my job, I have no real hobbies, I enjoy all that much. I take a lot of time off, and travel, we are healthy. I think for me, retirement could be one of the worst things I could do. Just wondering if anyone else feels the same. With my personality I think I would be bored stiff

Not retired yet, BUT, I AM looking forward to retiring, 10 years or less leaning towards much less for me..

I WORK to live (IE pay bills, buy food, shelter, ect), not live to work (IE, work life is my only life and without work I am nothing).

Big, big difference.

I have seen way to many DIE early, never to retire.. Pretty sad that they never got to chance to wake up in the morning and not have to punch the employers time clock.

I look at it like retirement is moving on from punching an employers time clock on set times daily to MYSELF deciding what and when I want to do each day without the interference of upper management.

My Dad retired at 58 with 38 years of employment at the same place, was the very best thing he could have done. He has had a very rich and wonderful retirement.. Snow birded south for 15 yrs before he and my Mom could not take the drive.. Mom is gone now but Dad is still living at 89 yrs young.. But he too is slowing down, losing his eye sight, hearing and strength.

I would recommend you start finding a few hobbies, hook up with some friends, volunteer some time at homeless shelters, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity.. Surely there is some things you might enjoy that do not involve employment.. Make a "bucket list" then go do it.

We come into this world with nothing and we leave this world with nothing.. All of the vast riches of this earth cannot stop it. We are here to help others with not just money but OUR "TIME" we have in this world. we are here to make a difference in others lives..

You take a lot time off and travel. Isn't that a hobby?

Is anyone forcing you to retire? If not, keep working.

If you do retire and get bored, there are plenty of volunteer positions available at numerous locations.

Try workamping. Do more traveling.

I don't know of anyone who said on their death bed, 'I wish I would have spent more of my life working.'

Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide.