Plan for Retirement, But Don't Make Too Many Commitments Too Soon!

Hello from Marilyn in Shawnee, OK!

Well, I am 56 and retired 2 1/2 months ago after 33 yrs, 3 months and 3 weeks of working for the same institution. I had worked my entire adult life with a week or two vacations a yr.

I couldn't imagine what it would be like to not work for the rest of my life. I, too, have several hobbies to pursue and have been looking for this day to come.

Was I scared? YES!

Did I have doubts? OF COURSE! This is a life-changing event!

Were there surprises? YES.

1) I felt abandoned until I had my home email working so I could communicate with those from my former workplace. I felt a need to know what was going on with the people there as well as the work itself. Weird. For about a month I was still very much a part of my former workplace.

It's not so much that way anymore. Of course I still keep in contact. I have friends there; and they still ask a work question from time to time.

2) Recently I am feeling a little depressed and I'm not sure why. I think it's because my initiative is down. I had several things planned for the first few months of retirement. That might have been a mistake. I should have made some plans a little further in the future.

I have enjoyed being a housewife (that may sound strange to some of you, but it's a new experience for a lifetime out of the home worker). But I've enjoyed it so much I don't want to interrupt it. It's hard to explain. I'm having fun being around the house.

I went on vacation with a friend of mine for a week the end of June. Next week I am going to a china painting seminar for another week. I was suppose to go on a float trip this past weekend but canceled it because I wanted to spend time at home.

My suggestion: Don't plan alot of activities too quickly after you retire. Enjoy just being at home for several months WITHOUT any commitments.

My decision to retire might have been slightly premature for financial reasons; but due to a change in boss's and an upcoming complete financial system overhaul at my workplace, I took the plunge.

Yes, I too may be a little young to retire, but I worked years to be able to do it. My original plan was to work another couple of years so my house would be paid for. So instead I took a draw from my retirement to pay it off along with some other bills so I could be debt free.

For several weeks after retiring, I was in complete wonder and disbelief. Everyday felt like Saturday. Even today - it's Monday - and guess what - I did not have to get up at the crack of dawn to get ready for a 30-45 minute commute to work. I don't have to drive in bad weather.

It was raining the other morning and I sat out on the back porch and watched it rain. Wonderful! It is still unbelievable.

If I go into the city to do some errands and come home around 3 in the afternoon, I still have the feeling of "oh, I get to come home early today". You know, the feeling when you leave work early for a couple of hours off. That didn't happen very often with me, so that had a very satisfying unique feeling about it.

My Saturdays used to be basically a day of rest for me except for doing laundry and some housework. So with everyday feeling like Saturday for a couple of weeks meant my body was in rest mode and I didn't do much. But that changed almost overnight.

My energy was up and I started major overhauling of this ol' house which was part of my plan after retiring. I was at lightning speed for a few days then it dawned on me. Why am I in such a big hurry? I don't have to hurry up and get this done because I have to go to work in a few days. I can take my time and do a more thorough job. I am telling you these things because there are small, subtle differences in thinking.

Do I regret it? No. As I said, I'm young. If I want to return to the workforce I can and I may; but right now I have no plans to. I don't need to financially; although with the economy like it is, it makes me wonder. LOL

I still get up early. I don't want to waste my days. Some days I don't do a whole lot. I am a Christian so my major quest is to seek the Lord and see what He wants me to do. I am extremely excited to work for Him. I have the time; I am young enough to be active; and I want to do it.

Do I know what my calling is yet? No, but it will come. In the meantime I will pray, study the Word and give praises to my Lord Jesus Christ. Am I anxious to know what it is? Of course. I'm only human, but I'm also excited.