Retirement is NOT What it Soinds Like!

by Teacher Sie
(Detroit Michigan )

I just retired from teaching for 28 years in June 2019. I’ve been planning this for five years and knew I had all my plans in place. Well, let’s just say I am now on Plan Z.

Nothing worked out as planned and I struggled and am still struggling to find my place in life. I was at the top of my game and the “go to” person at my school and I was needed everyday. I walked out of my building June 21st and have heard from two of my workers since then. It’s like I don’t exist and that is hard.

So I decided to go help out at my husband’s health clinic and now my identity is completely wrapped up in his life and his identity. So I am waiting to get out of this retirement slump soon.

I do volunteer at the hospital to support new moms and their babies twice a month which helps. I also go to the gym four days a week and workout at home the others. I take my dog for a walk but still feel disconnected. My husband is trying to help but nothing has changed for him and he cannot relate.

Anyone feeling like me and if you have any suggestions please share!

Comments for Retirement is NOT What it Soinds Like!

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Blessed to have a career that you loved!
by: Anonymous

Clearly the difference between the retired teacher and the man who couldn’t wait to be free of his meaningless "cubicle career" is the teacher had a meaningful career filled with reward and purpose.

The teacher is blessed to have had a career she loved so much. She will find her way and enjoy her retirement years mostly likely finding a way to be a blessing to others.

I pity the man who "Doesn’t give a damn."
Is it really as bad as you describe it?
by: Anonymous

I have refrained from posting comments lately because I fear that I come across as something of an elitist scold.

I had tried to plan for my long-anticipated retirement, so I more or less knew what my new life would be like prior to formally leaving the work force.

Apparently I held the radical view that my retirement eliminated any need for me to concern myself about my former job, so I did not do so. In fact, I do not care about it even a little bit. The day that I packed the box with the personal detritus from my salaryman's cubicle was my personal passage to freedom from giving a hoot about any workplace.

I have been astounded reading the clearly pained and heartfelt laments of so many retirees. I cannot identify with the horrific recountings of retired woe and despair.

On the whole, retirement has been very, very good to me. No commutes, no petty office politics, no prima donnas. Life is good if my health is hanging in there.

My lack of empathy for the unhappily retired is, perhaps, a defect in my character, but it isn't fraudulent. I simply cannot relate to anecdotes of "lost identity" and regrets for the missing allure of former jobs. OK, I believe you, retirement is a fate worse than death. To paraphrase Rhett Butler, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

Surely this will be my final comment.
Retirement Life
by: Sherry/ NC

Your life is how you make it with your own choices. There are lots of freedom to do as you like. Just try something, anything everyday. You have to work at being retired. I know that sounds redundant, but everything is work isn't it? Do you have a good attitude?

When I first retired 3 years ago I started studying elephants! I love these animals and now I know a lot about these wonderful creatures and how they have endured the cruelty of humans and how they have survived. There are elephant sanctuaries in America look them up on Google and find out how they bring a wonderful retired life to these majestic creatures.

When you go out in public smile and say, "hello". It will lift your soul.

Life is so interesting and fun and we can keep on learning until the day we say bye!
No It’s Not What It Sounds Like
by: Canadian Retiree

Boy do I know what you mean. I retired last year after battling breast cancer. I wasn’t at all ready or prepared for retirement though it was on my mind a lot when I was still at work before going on sick leave.

My husband retired a couple years before me but he was ready and took a buy out. He is a couple years younger than me so it’s weird that I was not really ready.

Anyway here I am one year and a bit later. I was really depressed at first and grieved for my job. I even made a feeble attempt to return to my job as an auxiliary. I couldn’t even find the strength to do that.

Now I’m taking watercolour painting class and exercise once a week. I tried a couple volunteer jobs but my heart is not in it. I just turned 65 and think about my job sometimes and wonder if I should have gone back. No use lamenting now. I’m making the best of it.

No retirement is certainly not easy or what it seems.
Disconnected
by: Your Name/Location

I do understand. I sort of accept that we are disconnected. I get comfort from my religious beliefs
I know what you mean
by: Anonymous

I know how you feel. Fortunately, for me, my work was not my life and I was glad to retire. I just worked to make money.

My real joys were my life after work as a musician and painting pictures. So that's what I do in my retirement. I finally have everyday to do what I love.

The flip side is, that I don't know where I belong anymore, where should I live, what group of people are my people, etc. I still feel pretty good, but finding it hard to find "that place" where I want to live. Also it's difficult to keep clinging to the past, everyone I knew, etc.

Time flies. Hope you find your way.

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