Retire or REFIRE - that is the question

by Theresa
(Louisiana)

Well I am new to this retirement thing. After 30 long years on the hamster wheel, I decided to get off and start the new season in my life.

All I talked about, dreamed about, counted down to was that day that I could shout at the top of my lungs " I'M RETIRED!"

I was literally obsessed and romanced the idea of retirement.

So now it has been one short month since I shouted those wonderful two words and I am wondering what is next?

To be honest, with all of the passion I had for being a retired it has now been replaced with disappointment.

Sure there has been an occasional day here and there that was absolute blissful and I was grateful to not be on the hamster wheel. But most often than not I have woke each morning with this sense of dread as to what am I going to do with myself today?

I never considered that with the freedom of choice that had become my new companion I miss the noise of the hamster wheel. How did that happen? I thought that each day I would feel like I had felt the many times when I took a vacation or had a mental health day away from the working world?

I had plenty of ideas preretirement but can't seem to find the motivation to start any of them. I never expected this!

Did I make a mistake?

My husband is retired and at home. I have 2 teenagers who will return to school in just a few days to finish their senior year. I thought they would give me plenty to do.and focus on.

Most days I am trying to figure out who are these people? I really only new them after 5:00 p.m., and I didn't know all these little things about them.

So starting today I am going to look at retirement like it is the new hamster wheel and decide which way I want it to spin! I will update you later.

And if you have any encouraging words for me or if you have experienced the same feelings please let me know.

Wendy: YOU will be just fine in retirement. Just a hunch, but I bet you will use that same passion to find yourself!

You have been handed a Key to the World. You simply need to give yourself time to figure out where you want to head with that Key. So many opportunities out there for retirees... depending on your interests!

Consider Retired Life carefully -- then Bring JOY into that life!

Wishing you well -- and hoping for updates!

Comments for Retire or REFIRE - that is the question

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It got better for me
by: Nancy

Theresa, I get it. I've been retired 1.5 years. I also used to wake up, but at 4:00 a.m. with a blast of grief over not having my job to go to.

I now get up and am glad I don't have to work, but I still think what I would be doing if I were working. I try not to dwell on those thoughts.

I missed the hamster wheel, still do, though not as bad. I'm currently having more good days than bad, actually having fun spending the days on my hobbies which are quilting and reading.

I'm noticing incremental steps toward adjustment. It is a process and it got better for me.
5 1/2 months til retirement
by: Smiley

On January 31, 2014 I will be retiring.

I already plan to take February off for myself, then I am going to pull my 2 yr. old twin granddaughters out of daycare and watch them. I love spending time with them.

When they start school I will take them and pick them up after school. The whole day will be mine to clean, watch tv and do crafts which I love to do. So, see I already have a plan.

To those who don't know what to do pleaSE GO OUT AND VOLUNTEER. iT WILL GIVE YOU GREAT SATISFACTION.

Wishing you all well. Smiley
letter
by: O.P.Joshi, India

Dear,
Feel free and enjoy. How to enjoy and use the time? is the question. Please develop any hobby of your interest. Involve others in your hobby.

Drawing and painting, knitting, writing, collecting, dress designing, and many including cooking.

Do not feel that you have to kill time, but use it some or other creative way. You can collect words of local dialect, technical words and their local meaning.

Be pen pal ojoshi4joshi at gmail.com write so I can send you some interesting post cards.Om
New Hampster Wheel
by: Joe W.

Theresa,

Hi! I think your in the Liberation stage of retirement. It's a brave new World out there. You and your husband are in control.

You mentioned something about a NEW hamster wheel. I think this is the real experience of retirees today especially the one's that have been trained for a long time on the OLD hamster wheel. These people will probably have the most difficulty in adjusting to a retirement life.

Mentioning a NEW hamster wheel just means to me that you want to look for another JOB. I guess it works for some people.

Since your in the liberation stage of retirement right now I would spend some time on self-discovery and even more time on finding out what your husband wants to do in his own retirement.

Good Luck!

Joe W.
Getting to know you!
by: Anonymous

What a wonderful opportunity to get to know your children!

I am much older than you and fortunately had my children at a time when women were supposed to stay home and keep house for their husband and family. Oh, there were times when I felt I was wasting what talents I had, just cooking and cleaning, but there were many delightful moments when I was there for the kids when they needed me.

You are lucky that you have a second chance to become a true mother to your teenagers. These are hazardous years for them.

Be there for them when they need you, and be thankful.
I felt the same way after retirement
by: Jude

I was so busy working all those years, and then all of a sudden, there was NOTHING on the agenda.

I took myself to the senior center in my neighborhood and joined a theater group, which opened up a whole new world for me, and I found myself in the female lead in their next play... Fun, Excitement.

When this activity stopped for the summer, I found a part-time job at a real estate company, which lasted almost 3 years, and there was still some time for the senior theater.

Now that my Husband finally retired, we are now in the traveling mode and have already been to Italy and Croatia and have a trip planned for Hawaii.

You will eventually find your place in retirement, but U have to seek it!

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