I finally retired after 36 yrs! Anyone else felt "down" after retiring?

[BC]

I finally made the jump and retired last week after 36 years service with the telephone company. I always thought I would feel jubilant, but surprisingly I am somewhat down and out now that I have done it. I am hoping some of this is normal as it is all I have known for a very long time. I felt displaced and will miss my work "family" alot. My husband is a bit older than I am and has been retired for 15 years. He really wanted me to come home so we could do some traveling and spend more time together, which don't get me wrong, I am happy about. Just wondered if anyone else had the mixed emotions that I am feeling when they retired.

 

[ma2jr]

My mom did... you just need to start a new routine. Find things you love to do and enjoy!

 

[aprilgail2]

Boy I hope not! I am counting down the days until I can retire- 1393!!!!! I have the years in that I need (25) but not the age (50)....so by the time I go I will have 28 1/2 years in there and I am really really looking forward to retiring and doing the things that I enjoy and like to do. I will still keep my part time work at home job butthat is seasonal and I do it when I want to-I will just be able to put in more hours with a charity I work for and do more things around the house! Lazy hazy days of floating around in the pool reading a book on the swing....ahhhhhhhh heaven!

 

[Papa Deuce]

In a way, I'll maybe let you know. Quite likely after 18 years at my job, I'll be getting a layoff notice on Monday. The current plan for me is to work PT, but basically be a SAHD. I am quite looking forward to it. No matter what, though, I'll be done by Christmas unless something strange happens.

 

[GeorgeG]

I retired four years ago and have been busier than ever, but on my own terms. Things are definitely different, but you'll be surprised how quickly you adjust.

 

[BC]

I am thinking it will just take time to get used things being different. I am excited at the new life I am about to encounter, but also a bit nervous. Although we had lots of discussion with our financial planners, it is still a bit scary in today's economy knowing I just gave up my paycheck!

 

[minkydog]

I've been a nurse for 32+ years. That's a long time for that particular career. This year I was put on medical leave and it's not looking good for my career. And frankly, I'd tired of nursing anyway. But I'm kinda at loose ends not knowing what else I want to do with my life. Something part-time. Something not caregiving. Something creative. Something helpful. I may just start with volunteering at my DDs high school. I'm sure they could find me something to keep my hands occupied.

 

[manning]

I am retired for 16 years. I was outsourced. Don't miss it at all. The funny thing that got a big grin on my face was after several weeks the boss called to ask about how something (critical) was done. I smiled and calmly reminded him he fired me and hung up the phone. Boy did that feel great.

Oh, and the company no longer exists.

 

[Imzadi]

BC, you're experiencing a loss right now. It's very natural. Even though you are intellectually happy about retiring, other parts of you need to catch up. Having done one thing for 36 years is a very big transition and loss. You're biorythms got used to a certain schedule. Your time was worked out for you. As you said, you had a work "family."

Be gentle with yourself for a while as you transition into your new life. In a way, you have to let yourself grieve your old life, even if it wasn't what you wanted. One day, you'll suddenly realize how your new life with your Dh has fallen into place, replacing your old ways. Then get out those lists of all the wonderfil things you both want to do, as you are able to jump in with gusto!

In the meantime, if you need something to read about it, get the book, How to Survive the Loss of a Love, by Melba Colgrove. It's a very gentle book that walks people though all kinds of loss. It's very soothing. You only read a few pages at a time as you transition through the various stages of Loss.

 

[BC]

It is nice to know others understand exactly what I am feeling! I definitely feel like I have just experienced a "death" of sorts. You know, how you feel for weeks right after you lose a loved one. I have been trying not to read too much into it as I have had my moments of thinking it was a sign I have done the wrong thing. I keep telling myself it is just going to take time.

 

[ericamanda01]

My father went through something similar when he retired. I think he was only officially retired for 6 month before he went back to work. He'll be 70 next march and shows no signs of slowing down. He said that he is just one of the people that has to work. He really thought he would enjoy retirement, but he was board. Now he has the joy of deciding how much he wants to work (he's kinda self employed) and when. It's a good combination for him.

 

[shortbun]

My father had a horrible time with it; he said he felt like he had no purpose. I've decided that when I retire next year, I'm going to have a part time job lined up or start doing more volunteering the very next day. This is a time in our country when people who are able to pitch in and serve are very valuable. I may start doing some fund raising for a charity. I just know from watching that having nothing to do is a horribly hard thing to deal with having worked for years.

 

[travelynn]

I understand. Its a little different scenario but I was just laid off from my job of many years, one that I truly loved. While there were many of us let go (100s) there's little comfort in misery - you know the phrase, misery loves company. Well it doesn't. Everyone I've spoken to feels alone and many don't get it since they haven't experienced it.

I also agree that its a form of grief, as its losing a major part of your life. Like any loss, it will take time, I'm sure.

I'm not at all bored yet as others have said, but that may occur after the grief subsides. But I'm also at the empty nest stage, too.

I do think there must be millions going through this, between massive lay-offs and forced and volunteer retirements from the baby boomer generation.

I wish you the best.

 

[irishprincess]

O.k I thought I was the only one who "has" to work! I work for our school district and I am off in the summer and it kills me. Everyone thinks I am nuts that I don't want to be off that long. I feel like I get up everyday and say "what now?"

 

[BC]

however, I may be. Like I said, unlike some of you that were laid off, this was my choice. There was no threat of me losing my job. I guess that is why I made the comment about just handing back my paycheck.

Well, one good thing! We have a Disney trip planned in October to celebrate and I am looking forward to that. Also gives me lots of time for planning!

 

[aprilgail2]

however, I may be. Like I said, unlike some of you that were laid off, this was my choice. There was no threat of me losing my job. I guess that is why I made the comment about just handing back my paycheck.

Well, one good thing! We have a Disney trip planned in October to celebrate and I am looking forward to that. Also gives me lots of time for planning!

There is very little threat of me losing my job either- we run on seniority and in order for them to lay me off the company would have to be down to 3 employees out of 800+ in my dept alone..but I am really loking forward to taking my pension and sitting home waiting for that check LOL.....
We have a trip planned for when I retire- I leave on June 1st that year and my daughter gets out of school the end of June- we are packing up and taking a drive around the US---everytime we hear of a place that interests us we write it down and that Jan we will go back through them all and see which ones we really want to visit and make up our trip that way. Its just me and my daughter and we already plan to go between hotels, friends and just sleeping in our van and taking it as it comes- we can't wait!

 

[C.Ann]

My sister's late DH was retired for exactly one day - LOL.. Decided it wasn't for him, went out the following day and got a new job doing something entirely different.. Sadly, he died quite unexpectedly just a couple of years later..

 

[lustergirl]

Could you possibly get a part time job somewhere? Or volunteer for a worth cause? This will occupy your time immensely.

 

[Feralpeg]

I retired a little over five years ago after working for the same company for 30 years. We immediately moved from Missouri to Florida, so that kept me very busy the first few months. Since then, I've had a really hard time staying retired. Every time I try it, I end up going back to work doing something. So far, since retiring, I've run my own gift basket business, worked for JoAnns, taught high school English and worked for the Disney Florist.

It just really seems like I should be working. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is the idea of having a paycheck coming in. I don't know.

Anyway, I'm back to retired again. I'm hoping I can stay that way. I'm working on a book and a few other projects. I really want to finish them.

OP, stay busy and enjoy!