My Retirement Story
by Laura
(Canada)
What's in a word? Ah retirement, it sounds good while you are slaving away at your job and doing your daily commute. I just retired and I'm missing my crazy routine and even to my surprise my commute!
I am 63 turning 64 in December and decided out of the blue to retire. I was on sick leave for over a year and was going to go back on a gradual (2 hours a day) return to work. I suddenly got worried about my stamina and my commute as it takes over an hour each way to get there. I was waiting and waiting to hear the date of my return and I picked up the phone and called HR and told them I decided to retire.
My husband is retired and has a bad heart, I was also worried about leaving him on a daily basis. Now I'm wishing I had gone back and tried one more year.
I don't know what to do with my time, I didn't really have a plan. I think I should have given myself more time to decide about this life changing event, I didn't really think it out.
Now I have retirees regret instead of enjoying my free time. My family and friends don't understand.
My job was a great part of my life for 20 years and I really worked hard to hang on to it all these years. I also belonged to a Union and had a great benefits pkg and great wage. Anything else won't match that, if anyone wants to hire a 63 year old that is!
I am experiencing retirement anxiety and depression all at once. I would love to go back to my job now. I feel horrible.