Well, after 34 years at the same company (as both a contractor and then an employee), I start my redundancy consultation period next week and expect to be unemployed or semi-retired in April.
Although it’s not completely unexpected, having asked if voluntary redundancy was a thing, I have mixed emotions now it’s actually happening
The good news is that I will have more time to get out on 2 wheels and to spend with my Granddaughter
Do you folks have any experiences to share or even tips for adjusting to life after work?
I felt ready to retire at 63 (after a bit of an argument with my ‘friend’ and employer at the time, I decided I’d had enough!) so I found the change very easy.
I suppose one tip is to keep busy, and with a bike and a granddaughter that should help… oh, and avoid daytime TV!!
I retired at 61 in April last year and haven’t missed wor* one bit. A decent summer certainly helped but biking, motor and push, keep me busy. Add in a bit of walking and grandparent duties two afternoons a week and it’s excellent
Don’t worry about filling the time. It’s a common saying that you’ll soon wonder how you ever had time to go to work. It’s certainly true in my case! (And I’m 77 next month, so should be pipe and slippers time, but no chance…)
Other than to be sure you invest your hard earned retirement pot carefully, the rest of the extra time that you have will take care of its self.
Having your bike will greatly assist in you being able to fill your time during the summer, just make sure you have something planned for the cold winter days to occupy yourself with. It is these than can get you down if you don’t have something to do.
Other than this you will love your new found freedom; have fun.
Yep. First - whatever ANYBODY tells you it’s unlikely to be easy. Unless you ABSOLUTELY HATED every moment of work, you’ll have ‘enjoyed’ many decades of being conditioned to the ‘working life routine’ and it will take quite some time before you get out of either the psycholgical or physical routines to which you’ll have become habituated.
Second, regardless of whatever hobbies and spare time interests you currently have don’t simply assume that these will be suffice to take up what will constitute an enormous amount of slack in a new phase of your life and at times that might seem overwhelming.
Third, consider using at least some of your newfound ‘free time’ to benefit others - not surprisingly my personal recommendation would be to get an advanced riding qualification and join a local Blood Bike group. My ONLY regret about having taken up BB volunteering (it’s NOT just riding, there’s a raft of activities allied to the role) is that I didn’t do it much sooner after retirement. It is (IMHO) THE most rewarding and satisfying motorcycle riding that you’re ever likely to do - I spent around 8 hours and over 300 miles in the saddle yesterday. The weather was shite, the bike is absolutely minging and desperately needs a clean and polish and I have two full sets of wet weather gear that are now drying out ready for my next duty (fundraising at a supermarket all day tomorrow!) but I’d do it all again - and more - right now if I was asked.
Of course you and the other half might have particular charity interests that are close to you - each or both - so consider them, too. It’s great having spare time but it’s extremely self satisfying and rewarding to be benefitting others - at no great cost to you - with some of that time. And, yep, you might say that the wider family should get some of that time but, trust me, doing something - however small or seemingly insignificant - positive for somebody that you don’t know or are ever likely to know, carries an enormous benefit for ‘giver and receiver’.
We’re each and all different. We’ll react to our ‘personal environments’ in unique ways but I think it’s commonly ackowledged that it is far better to stay mentally and physically active after retirement so whatever you do, enjoy it and make the most of it for yourself, your family and, perhaps, society in general!
I am so chuffed you all took the time to reply and share your experiences and tips. Thank you
I am taking this weekend to get my head around things and to look at the finances. I think we will be OK, despite this coming earlier than my planned retirement in 18 months. I certainly plan to fill my time and definitely like the idea of some volunteering.
The plan is to settle full time in mid Wales once we are both retired and that will no doubt keep us busy and with lots of community related stuff. I already mow lawns and fix IT issues for friends and family there but just need to start charging for it!
To follow up on @AdieP point, I struggled for about six months if I went to do the weekly shop with the Mrs (not surprising I know!). I was thinking that I didn’t finish work to do this crap, I should be doing something enjoyable. Then you kind of realise that you will still be off work tomorrow so half an hour here and there don’t make a difference really.
Good luck, not that you’re going to need it, you will enjoy it!
One other thing to add, if finances allow… travel.
That could mean to far flung places, or just watching booking.com for a cheap hotel/mobile home/bnb for a few days away.
We have a daughter in New Zealand and try to see her once a year, but then also get great enjoyment out of a week driving to the Highlands, the Lake District etc.
I also try to do a couple of motorcycle trips, a few days dotting about Scotland staying in little hotels or bnb’s is fantastic… some riders go much further of course, but Scotland is fine for me! And my wife gets some time to herself!!!
My take on retirement is that it gives you the time to do what YOU want to do and not what other people demand you do.
I found that I have time for my hobbies and do not have to rush / fit them into an allotted timeframe, ie it’s all got to be done at the weekend..!
I’ve found that I do not play golf at the weekend as the course is busy and I play at least congested times.
I agree with the others, get out and see the world.
EasyJet flights can be found at superb prices if your not fussy when you travel and where you go…
It’s a big world out there..!
I am sure you will soon readjust and see this as a great opportunity. And it’s great that you have a superb hobby in biking that can fill a lot of hours if you so wish, you will have the cleanest bikes in the county….
We have a cousin’s coffee get together a few times a year, and the last cousin has just retired - he is like a different guy, relaxed, looking healthier, smiling and chatting more than usual. All down to retirement, enjoy yourself!!
I took early retirement at 50 then got another job and worked until 70 because I enjoyed my job. In hindsight I wish I had retired at 65 as I feel that I would have made good use of those years. Anyway I’m pretty fit and enjoy my biking, just about to join the men in sheds organisation which will give me access to equipment like lathes and milling machines etc.
Retirement is a completely new phase of your life, you will have to fit in with your partner and their daily routine. Treat it like starting a new job. And time? You will find that there is never enough of it to go round.
