Law Enforcement... long retirement transition

by Alison
(Canada)

Hi there, I voluntarily retired on the exact date that I could. I was elated to be leaving behind a 35 year career as a Correctional Officer... a very very negative environment.

I had plans, but they didn't work out as I had planned. I trained, and spent a lot of money to educate myself in another field. I found I didn't like it.

It has been 2 years now and I still haven't found my "track" so to speak. Maybe I'm on it and just don't know it. I spend a lot of time with my kids and grandkids, who're all a joy to me.

I haven't the interest in socializing, but then again, I never did. I did it because I had friends that I worked with and enjoyed. Now I just do what I want on any given day whether that be going to Bingo, shopping, or just watching movies all day.

For the time being, I am ok with this, but am again looking at what I might do to get myself out, and make extra money for travel.

Some days are downers, some days are lonely as no-one I know is retired, family or friends. We all make our own way, doing our own thing.

I had some depression too.... but it has slowly faded away....at this point, I just AM....

Best Wishes to everyone going through this life event...not something that can be explained, it must be experienced.

Comments for Law Enforcement... long retirement transition

Click here to add your own comments

Feeling Lost
by: Regina

I can relate to all of the above posts. I have only been retired for the past two months. I thought I had a plan. I planned a series of trips that I thought would help me to transition into retirement smoothly. I have already take 4 out of the 7 trips.

However, I feel like I am going crazy. My husband is 88 and I am 68. I am so thankful that both of us are in pretty good shape. Right now I am afraid because I know that I have a gambling problem. I only live 15 minutes from the casino and I have all of this time with nothing to do and it is so easy to just take a ride.

I have never been one to stay home all day doing nothing. At least while working I did not have the time to gamble as much. I really know that I must get a routine and hobby or something.

All of my children live out of state. I recently visited each one of them. Everyone tells me that I really got it made and I should just enjoy life now. The days are so long and there is only so much TV that one can watch.

I feel like I am in the middle of the ocean not knowing which direction I should go. I keep telling myself that this feeling is normal and eventually I will work myself out of this.
JDH
by: Anonymous

HI!!! I worked in a jail, in the pod for teenaged boys. Right you are regarding a negative environment. I am a woman, and I quit because when it came down to "take down" these teen aged boys, I felt that I did not pull my own weight with the other young men custodians. I did not want to put them in danger or have them carry my weight, so I quit.

Also, really? All I get is a broken walkie talkie to defend myself? Really? Also, I have to see kids locked up who I used to have as clients in social work with the most F...... parents? Heart broken.

I say it takes time to recover from working in these environments. Take time. No wonder we don't feel like "parties" are our thing after all the sad thought provoking days we have spent. Good gravy!!!

We are not puppets who can turn our souls on and off. Now that I am not working I truly feel my job is healing my crying heart - seeing and absorbing some lovely things on solitary walks. Doing small acts of kindness, etc.
Right on
by: Karen/Plainfield,Il

Alison and Dean,

You guys really hit the nail on the head so to speak with your comments. Retirement is indeed something that must be experienced, and it is a journey, not a destination.

My Dad retired well. If he had any issues dealing with it, he never mentioned it. My grandmother, on the other hand did, I now realize, because she kept moving from place to place. She was never satisfied. Chasing happiness, I guess.

My journey into retirement has been difficult for me as well with losses along the way, but I try to be thankful everyday for the many blessings God has given me. We just have to play the hand we're dealt as best we can.

Good luck and good retirement to both of you!
Retirement transition/depression
by: Dean/ Nashville TN

I don't think any of us retirees can honestly say they don't get a little depressed from day to day. We've all lost loved ones whom we miss. There are sad circumstances in our lives that we can't fix and most of us have responsibilties in retirement that we can't get away from. On top of that many of us have health issues we have to deal with.

However, for those of us fortunate enough to be retired "comfortably" that is with enough money to live in the same style we were accustomed to while working, we need to be grateful.

I think many of us were taken in by pictures of healthy looking retired people cavorting on a beach or maybe ziplining in the tropics. I doubt many of us fit that picture but I think many of us may feel a little letdown because our retirement doesn't match our fantasy.

I get get pretty blue every once in awhile but then I count my blessings and get over the blues.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Retired Police and Fire.