Living The Lifestyle - Monday 1/29/24

crewahl
crewahl Posts: 5,368 Member
This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday – Wildcard
Wednesday-misterhub (Greg)
Thursday -imastar2 (Derrick)
Friday - Wildcard

Today's Topic: Retirement

Seeing Steve's post this morn8ng made me wonder “how's retirement going?” That got me thinking . . .

So for those who are retired, what is the one thing that surprised you the most about retirement? For those not yet retired, what one question or concern do you have about retirement?

Replies

  • crewahl
    crewahl Posts: 5,368 Member
    I was surprised by the fact that my schtick doesn't seem to wear as well with my wife over sixteen hours of contact as it did over four to six hours after a workday. For bonus points, I was surprised by how quickly we transitioned to doing things during the week and avoiding retail things on the weekend. God bless you all for still contributing to Social Security, but there sure are a lot of you at the grocery store on a Saturday!
  • misterhub
    misterhub Posts: 7,223 Member
    How long does it take to transition from a "work" mindset to a "retired" mindset? Is there even such a thing?
  • steve0mania
    steve0mania Posts: 3,520 Member
    I will have to document my retirement more fully at another time!

    In response to the LTL question, the biggest surprise has been how hard it has been to "let go" of the feeling of needing to do "something." I hate the feeling of just drifting around...I like to feel useful as a contributing person (to society, community, synagogue, or whatever). As such, I keep agreeing to do things and I find myself busier than I ever thought.

    At the same time, it's taking longer than I thought to settle into a groove of doing the things I want to do, or hope to do, rather than just agreeing to do things that folks ask of me. As one silly minor example, I agreed to join a board of directors for a local school. It's not a ton of work, but given my particular skills and expertise, I have spent some significant time outside of standing board meetings doing some background work. Again, it's not hard, and I enjoy it, but it's not what I was planning on doing before I retired!
  • steve0mania
    steve0mania Posts: 3,520 Member
    crewahl wrote: »
    I was surprised by the fact that my schtick doesn't seem to wear as well with my wife over sixteen hours of contact as it did over four to six hours after a workday.

    Yes, I have found this too! I guess I'm not as cute or funny as I thought over extended periods. This does, however, give me some permission to find a quiet corner of the house (such as our office) to sit and read, learn, do "work," etc.
  • crewahl
    crewahl Posts: 5,368 Member
    misterhub wrote: »
    How long does it take to transition from a "work" mindset to a "retired" mindset? Is there even such a thing?

    It’s a little hard for me to tell. I spent six months getting financials transitioned from work mode to retirement mode. At that point, we prepared to move, so the next four months were prep. Once we moved, it was a year of getting stuff set in the new house.

    At that point - maybe 22 months - I looked around (as Steve is doing) and said “okay, now what?” Started volunteering at AARP Tax-Aide and ballot clerk in town - enough to feel like I’m useful without feeling I’m working.

    Oh, and like Steve, I volunteered in the Board of Directors for our timeshare the year I retired, and just got off that. I lead a full rewrite of the By-Laws and got it approved - and then left.
  • Al_Howard
    Al_Howard Posts: 9,947 Member
    I will have to document my retirement more fully at another time!

    In response to the LTL question, the biggest surprise has been how hard it has been to "let go" of the feeling of needing to do "something." I hate the feeling of just drifting around...I like to feel useful as a contributing person (to society, community, synagogue, or whatever). As such, I keep agreeing to do things and I find myself busier than I ever thought.

    At the same time, it's taking longer than I thought to settle into a groove of doing the things I want to do, or hope to do, rather than just agreeing to do things that folks ask of me. As one silly minor example, I agreed to join a board of directors for a local school. It's not a ton of work, but given my particular skills and expertise, I have spent some significant time outside of standing board meetings doing some background work. Again, it's not hard, and I enjoy it, but it's not what I was planning on doing before I retired!

    When I retired 13 yrs. ago, I too got more involved with "stuff", mostly revolving around church.
    I have mostly stepped back from "active" work, except singing in the Contemporary group, Lazurus, which my son leads.
    Still spend a lot of time on my computer, mostly here, and Facebook. I also plus Mahjong.
    Other than that, more doctor visits than I could imagine. Also, the FitBit "250 step challenge", which TOL and I do for 12 consecutive hours.
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,603 Member
    Surprise? How much time it can take to do next to nothing. A busy day today.

    11-12 wife’s exercise class
    12:30-? Lunch.
    Walmart
    UPS store
    3-5 George Pickleball.

    We will spend the evening watching TV and resting.
  • cakeman21k
    cakeman21k Posts: 7,186 Member
    After spending a long day getting from the east coast to the west, one thing I DO NOT miss from my pre retirement days is airline travel. Its hard to realize how much of a bother it is until you actually have to do it. God I love retirement!