Retiring at 55

by Julia
(Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

Some would say retiring at 55 is early, but I had worked for 35 years for the FEDS, and ended up an an It support tech with alot of fun and alot of stress. I was ready for a change, and was fortunate to have a full pension.

That said, I spent the first summer as 'retired' very stressed and lost. I was used to being needed and busy, as well as have structure in my life. I spent that summer also worrying about my 21 year old who was having issues deciding his life's course. That was July, 2016.

In September my son finally got a job, and started to move forward, and I decided to get a part time job in a retirement home and give back. Love it, but sometimes feel a little lonely.

I now need to push myself to find new social contacts and have a good balance. I feel better now, but staying happy and positive is a constant battle, but I guess that's life. You need to move forward and stay positive, try new new things, continuous learning is what life is all about.

Comments for Retiring at 55

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Response to retiring at 55
by: Carolyn

I am glad you are feeling better about retirement. I went through 9 months of depression and anxiety before the right medication was found and for 2 years now I have been quite content - enjoying life; I even took my first Caribbean cruise when a year before I could barely get out of bed.

I belong to the art gallery and do volunteer work with the humane society - but there will always be sad days - if I have a few days without doing anything social it can get to me so you are right that you have to really push forward all the time.

I am fortunate in that I have a lot of friends 90% of whom are retired. Some live out of town and take the train or coach to visit for a few days just to refresh and I am planning a trip to Dublin in the spring. It does get better - but at times some people should not be afraid of medication - it can do wonders.
Fan business in retirement?
by: Ron/Springfield, IL

I too work for Feds (15yrs) & plan to retire in 2 yrs at 62. My son (23) is still finding himself, so I am thinking about starting a family business (winery/B&B) in Missouri where he can work.

My younger wife will need to work 1-3 years as we transition. My wife & I have worked in bar/restaurants, my son in a restaurant. We are very service oriented with much energy. Think we have a shot?

Is your son on track?

Ron
Full Pension
by: Joe W.

If I had a Full Pension I would be jumping up and down with no regrets. Too many seniors think that having the best financial plan in the world means not having to work extra hard to get a happy retirement plan.

Being financially endowed allows you to go out and find a project that will make you happy. You can afford to take a risk to startup a small business or go out and become a social entrepreneur helping others out to become successful.

Joe W.
Seniorpreneur
easy structure
by: Anonymous

I found a structure list, and adapted it to myself.
Now I always know what I am doing.

MORNING
Wake up, drink a glass of water by my bedside.
Hwarmly in clothes I can move and exercise in, meaning comfortable clothes.
Go downstairs, turn on coffee pot, let dog out, bring dog in, eat healthy brownie and coffee with tv chatting.
Put dishes away.
Walk to fast food restaurant with CNN NEWS playing.
Hide my tiny dog and take her with me into the restaurant. Order senior coffee and watch news. Respond if someone talks about the news. Also call a friend, Betsy, and talk about the news and catch up from the day before. Maybe text my sons, but don't expect an answer because they are busy working family men. Be friendly with clerks who all know me. Sometimes use the 2 for 1 croissant coupon.
Walk home (another half mile), enjoying the scenery. I actually stroll.

AFTERNOON
Have a snack (a healthy milk shake) or something, maybe lunch .
Do some gardening (which means anything, take out garbage, cover some plants, sweep the sidewalk, anything, move a pot, trim a bush, anything). More chores, which means going to post office, paying bills, calling to get stuff repaired, painting a window, buying a towel, do laundry, put my pills in separaters, any thing at all.
Study French.

EVENING
Have Dinner, which is a snap since I prep the day before or have made chili in bulk, or something.
Quick cleanup. Prep all food for next day, which means make a green drink, make sure plenty of healthy brownies are made and in the freezer, put more milk in ice trays for healthy milk shakes, maybe boil some rice for a few days, get beans ready to cook in crock pot for chili the next day, etc. Basically get cooking for the next day or in bulk out of the way. Bath.
Go upstairs and exercise for half hour. Go to the computer blogs I enjoy. Finish studying french, watch tv,read a book. Snack as much as I please. Sleep.
I have French class one evening a week, and go to church and have donuts afterwards one day a week.
Sometimes I go to a movie, with or without friends.

This is wonderful for me after 50 years of working in menial jobs.
How old do you feel
by: Michigan

My friend, 55 seems young to start retirement but how old do you feel? When I first retired I was older than you but didn't feel old until I sat around and wasted a whole year.

Now I exercise, move around, and although I still get lonely I'm enjoying life more. Get a Fit Bit and get some energy. It will remind you to move.

I have friends who are your age and are still working and are exhausted at the end of the day, all they talk about is retiring.

Make a plan ~ things you want to do ~ then start walking towards life with a new purpose. Once you achieve one goal you will feel better but the hardest part is that first step. New Year, New You! Go for it! I will keep you in my prayers.

Happy New Year!

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