[nashcar]

The strangest feeling for me is when I woke up in the morning and didn’t have to be anywhere.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by nashcar

The strangest feeling for me is when I woke up in the morning and didn’t have to be anywhere.

LOL..... you'll get used to it. Nice to not have to punch a clock, or be expected to run your life by someone else's clock. Take time to talk to someone, and not have to worry about accounting for your time to someone.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

LOL..... you'll get used to it. Nice to not have to punch a clock, or be expected to run your life by someone else's clock. Take time to talk to someone, and not have to worry about accounting for your time to someone.

I've been retired for 5 months after 42 years in the automotive industry. Will be 61 at the end of this month. Not quite used to it yet, but for the first time since age 4, I have no commitments when I get up in the morning. My time is my own. No accounting to anybody. It's liberating and great. I've been keeping busy so far, and the days are racing by. I recommend retirement to anybody, and don't do it before you're too old to do what you want to do.

[Sirrotica]

I recommend retirement to anybody, and don't do it before you're too old to do what you want to do.

Since I grew up in Erie PA, there were many union shops, because of the industry that had plants there. I can't even guess how many retirees I've known, and heard about, that retired at 65, then died within weeks, or months of their retirement.

I'm not sure why so many in that community expired just after their retirement. My ex father in law didn't make one year after he retired.

[nas t eh]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Since I grew up in Erie PA, there were many union shops, because of the industry that had plants there. I can't even guess how many retirees I've known, and heard about, that retired at 65, then died within weeks, or months of their retirement.

I'm not sure why so many in that community expired just after their retirement. My ex father in law didn't make one year after he retired.

This is one of my reasons for stopping now at 61.
My FIL retired at 56 and his health at the time seemed OK, but he was dead at 58.
He was a heavy smoker and drinker and worked in grain dust his whole carrier, so when his lungs and kidney decided they had enough he was gone in weeks.

[carcrazy]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Since I grew up in Erie PA, there were many union shops, because of the industry that had plants there. I can't even guess how many retirees I've known, and heard about, that retired at 65, then died within weeks, or months of their retirement.

I'm not sure why so many in that community expired just after their retirement. My ex father in law didn't make one year after he retired.

Grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and saw the same exact thing!!

[bird72]

What I haven't seen mentioned..... One must REDEFINE themselves. It can be a slight identity thing to go from "Fred the Shop Manager" to.. what? Take classes. explore somthing new. I got certified in Fitness training, and that is my new "defined". It could be geology and rock stuff, anything. Or cars, hey... And like someone said, jobs can consume us. Then what?

Another thing, which in the end was good, was realizing how much work stress I was under and didn't know know it. We were always behind and overworked.
It took me three months to deaccelerate and get my physiological levels down to calm.

[HoovDaddy]

Originally Posted by bird72

It took me three months to deaccelerate and get my physiological levels down to calm.

Right, even though I still work, it's different. I don't have any timelines, very few responsibilities, and unlike adults, the kids appreciate me being there.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by bird72

What I haven't seen mentioned..... One must REDEFINE themselves. It can be a slight identity thing to go from "Fred the Shop Manager" to.. what? Take classes. explore somthing new. I got certified in Fitness training, and that is my new "defined". It could be geology and rock stuff, anything. Or cars, hey... And like someone said, jobs can consume us. Then what?

Another thing, which in the end was good, was realizing how much work stress I was under and didn't know know it. We were always behind and overworked.
It took me three months to deaccelerate and get my physiological levels down to calm.

Great post and I agree 100%. Nothing is static. Life is always changing. Who you were for decades is not who you are now, at least not 100%. It's on you to enjoy the rest of your time on this planet, whatever that entails. Go for it!!

[Hesster1977]

A big consideration when we retire is medical coverage. And pensions are for us lucky dinosaurs who worked at a place that offered them. What really sucks is depending on where you live, it is all taxed to death. Like a Sea Lamprey sucking on your retirement income with a attitude.

[PunchT37]

Originally Posted by Hesster1977

A big consideration when we retire is medical coverage. And pensions are for us lucky dinosaurs who worked at a place that offered them. What really sucks is depending on where you live, it is all taxed to death. Like a Sea Lamprey sucking on your retirement income with a attitude.

I am one of those dinosaurs that still has a pension. But, I think that Sea Lamprey needs to suck something else.

[Tom63LeMans]

Originally Posted by geeteeohguy

I recommend retirement to anybody, and don't do it before you're too old to do what you want to do.

I retired last June after 43 years of heavy forge press maintenance. The weeks go by in a blink of an eye but I’m enjoying every minute of it. First I tackled a bunch of small projects that were on the back burner which was a good feeling. Now pacing myself on long term projects in my garage. The greatest thing is flexibility of my schedule. I work when I feel like it, sometimes until 3 am other days starting at 5 am. The best part of my day is nap time. I sleep like a baby, funny how we go full circle. Enjoy it while you can!

[bird72]

Originally Posted by Tom63LeMans

"The weeks go by in a blink of an eye but I’m enjoying every minute of it."

And

" The best part of my day is nap time."

#1) I find that too. Someone explained as we age, we slow down. Hence, time seems to move faster. I guess, but I see the effect............

#2) I agree. It is like heroin to me. Maybe I need a support group. NapAnon.