Retirement Day 2
by Louise
(Ontario, Canada)
I voluntarily left my job after 32 years. I shouldn’t say job, because it was a career -- a wonderful one at that. At 57 years old, I get full pension, not much less actually than my fulltime pay. It didn’t make sense to continue working as I would be working for next to nothing.
I’ve looked forward to this day for a couple years. But now I’m feeling very uneasy. I’m anxious and feeling a little down. I had a dream last night that I was at work, working through a problem. When I awoke realizing it was just a dream, I was in tears.
And this is only day 2!
Yes, I have lots of plans for the next phase of my life, but planned to use the first 3 weeks of my retirement as a vacation – do what I want, when I want, if I want.
I’ve never taken a 3 week vacation. Well, I’m already rethinking that plan. I need my routine; I do well with ruts I suppose.
I just finished an itinerary for my 3 week “vacation”. I feel better having done so. After my vacation, I will be very busy: back to college four days (4 hours a day) a week and volunteer work for half a day on the fifth day. I look forward to going to Costco during the week when everyone else is working. I’m excited about this next phase of my life, but I can’t seem to shake this feeling of trepidation.
Today is a beautiful, sunny spring day here in Ontario. I’m leaving shortly to visit an out-of-town friend for a couple days. The drive is a couple hours long and I intend to open the sunroof (even if I have to have the heat on) and turn up the radio for the trip.
My friend is one of those common sense people that just always seems to have the right answer. So we’ll drink a few beers when I get there, probably barbeque and watch late night movies. This thought in itself is really helping. I’ve never had the time to visit with friends and relatives as much as I would like. This is going to be nice.
I’ve enjoyed reading the stories on your website and find inspiration in many of them.
Wendy: Your story is SO like mine... and although you are feeling the same anxiety many new retirees feel (myself included), you also sound so logical. You've got a PLAN - huge step ahead and something so many THINK about, but just sit there instead. Kudos to you!
Hope you keep us updated... would love to hear it all worked out just fine!!
Best Wishes!
