Options are a must!

by Frank
(Florida)

Before one retires, one might consider the satisfying options one will have if he or she retires.

One might have a skill that one can use in part-time employment; or a recreational activity like traveling, if one can afford it and is healthy enough for it; or developing a new fun skill like playing a musical instrument, if one has the patience and a suitable environment to practice; or developing a purposeful and income producing skill, like becoming an electrician; or catching up on your reading, as long as one's health can be maintained despite extended sedentary behavior; or volunteering, as long as one has the skill or other required traits to be useful, and as long as one is fortunate enough to be helping others who express some degree of gratitude.

If one does not have OPTIONS that are at least as satisfying, from a purposeful or lucrative or rewarding in some other way perspective, then perhaps one should consider holding off on retirement.

There are few conditions worse than having nothing to do, no purpose, no reason to get out of bed each day...just existing.

PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS BEFORE RETIRING!

Comments for Options are a must!

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I feel your pain
by: Tom Burnaby BC

I feel your pain. It is sad that your departure from your job was under bad circumstances whereby you left because of excessive workloads and a general lack on interest of worker work limits.

In this world of social media and computers, managers and CEO's only look at computer generated data. Decisions are made with little interest in worker wellness and only the bottom line and how they want to meet their financial targets. We are all just an employee number. Sad but true.

I too left due to excessive workloads and actualy ended up taking depression and anxiety meds for many years before finally pulling the plug.

All the accolades and admiration for my work achievements and knowledge meant nothing to me after I simply lost faith in management.

This is a new form of worker abuse and I seem to have permanently damaged my mental and emotional health and must still take my meds as a result.

As a path forward, we all must simply forget the bad experiences from past worklife and have prayers for those who must continue in that stressful environment. Take care
I agree with Terry
by: Maddie - Wisconsin

Sadly, have to agree with Terry. I LOVED my last job. I worked there for the last 10 years of my career and would have likely stayed until I couldn't do it anymore.

Unfortunately, the administration of the College changed and the pandemic hit. A perfect storm of awful.

My stress level was so high, I couldn't even take a shower without having a panic attack. The majority of the staff working there when I left (18 months ago) have also moved on to other jobs or retirement.

At the moment, my purpose is to knit for charity. I knit for wounded police officers, families of new babies in need of assistance and for Project Linus. Perhaps, I will have more of a purpose someday, but for now, this is it.
Better place to be
by: Terry

I retired because the stress and work load became to much.

I loved what I did and would have continued for a very long time except; my management changed. They doubled my work load. The folks I enjoyed working with left the company.

I stopped sleeping well.

I sat at my desk one day and said to myself "what am I doing here?"

I made them tons of money and they just wanted more.

So I quit. They hired 2 guys to replace me.

I can’t say I have a purpose, not yet anyway. I am just discovering what it is like to have time, My time. I don’t have deadlines, I don’t have to report or wake up at all hours to answer questions. I read, sleep, do projects around the house.

I don’t want to do contract or consulting work. And all those things I thought I wanted to do, I don’t seem to find the time to do. I will find my passion or not but whatever you end up doing is better than where I was.

It is sad that paradise can turn to hell with the exit of just a few good people.

Wendy: It happens all the time -- I was Retirement Manager when employed, and privately, many left because of management or new decisions. They smile, woot! retirement to their coworkers, but underneath they just needed O-U-T.

My Thoughts
by: Wendy, Retirement Enthusiast/Coach

Everyone is different.

I am much like you, feel the need to do or be busy, even mentally here at my computer. Love helping out with seniors at moms Assisted Living place. I'm not "busy" as I used to be, but busy enough.

However, many more seniors are content with life. They no longer feel the need for purpose.

They've been there and done that... now they do whatever they like, whenever they feel like it.

Lots of great options in your post! Thank you!

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