Why is everyone so down on retirement?

by Mia
(Canada)

I'm sort of surprised to read a lot of these comments, and saddened that so many people seem to be at such a loss during retirement. I retire next year. I will be 59.

I've planned very carefully for this so that my husband and I will be ok financially, though, I admit, it's a bit nerve wracking to cut the financial umbilical cord that a job represents. Other than that, I'm very excited about it.

My husband and I will be moving as soon as I retire. (He's retired already. ) I love the idea of a brand new beginning in a new place.

I have so much I want to do; so many things I could only do in my limited free time during my working life: I will sew ( I design and make my own clothing, I think I will really be able to pursue this in retirement, I will be able to make jewellery, garden, cook and make wonderful meals. I have a degree in fine arts, and long ago, had dreamed of pursuing my painting and drawing and printmaking; I will finally be able to indulge my self in my artwork.

I want to go back to university and take classes in Gothic Romantic Fiction, and Shakespeare. I love languages, and plan on furthering my knowledge of French, and I think I would like to pursue studying Italian too. I plan on making every day of my life something pleasant, and full of peace, and beauty. I will iron my antique linen tablecloths and make breakfast in the early morning.

My husband and I will go for a long walk on the beach after the evening's good dinner. We will sit outside under the pergola, and I will serve coffee Bodum coffee pots with a lovely cake I have made from scratch. We will enjoy all the simple and lovely moments that are there in every day, and we will find peace. The evenings will drop slow and gracefully, and I plan to really see every lovely moment, instead of feeling driven and stressed as I have in my very demanding working life.

There is so much to savour, and I will not lose sight of that.

Like every other experience in life, you can choose how you will receive it. I truly believe that.

Comments for Why is everyone so down on retirement?

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Rose colored glasses dim over time
by: Carol

The person who started this post seems to be a joiner, a go-getter, lots of energy charging ahead. And young. Life still seems full of possibilies when in your 50's.

I know it did for me. Do everything and more to enjoy your youthful aging time. Even in my 60's while I worked life was full of, well life. Ah, there's the rub - life was full of work and fun and family.

I retired at age 68. For two years I wore rose colored glasses. Now those glasses are not so clear and rosy.

This past year whenn I turned 72 life suddenly seems short. The aches and pains have settled into my body. I walk slower, I walk shorter distances, I use a cane to steady my walk. I feel old. I am old. I do not like being old. I do not like the alternative as they saying goes. I fear getting older. I now understand a bit more how people fear aging.

Why is everyone so down on retirement? I am sure we have lots of different thoughts on that idea.

To keep enjoying retirement have more money than you will ever need, better health each and every day, and retain your zest for life. Enjoy life everyday while you can, paint, dance, ride horses, take long walks along the ocean. enjoy your retirement while you have good health.

Stay active, exercise everyday, keep your body healthy and young.
Retirement Rocks!
by: Ben S.

I retired last year after 40 years at the same company. The first 25-30 years were fine-then the company sold to a different type of "business model" with idiots for managers. Too old to change jobs and too invested in the pension plan....so I rode it to the finish.

I retired just days after I turned 62 and have not looked back!

Now, every day is pretty darn nice. I'm doing the things I've put off for many years-including learning to play the drums! I love it and I swear it shaves 10 years off how I feel.

I've taken to hitting estate sales to look for vintage electronics and other interesting items for my man cave. I've read a number of great books and have been able to do more yardwork and better vehicle care.

Over the winter, I have taken 9 online courses so far and there are quite a few left I still wish to conquer. (The cost is ZERO-I use my library card)

Life and retirement is what you make of it-but, it's not for everyone. I had friends I once worked with that were also close to retirement and would say "I'd like to retire, but what would I do?" To them, I would say "keep working-don't retire."

Some people are better off to just keep working so as not to lose their social network. Others, like myself....just say I'll find a new social network.

Well....my drums are calling me-I gotta beat it for now!

The best to all, Ben
Just what I thought !
by: Helen UK

I thought the same until the moment came . For me the main downer is that feeling of not being useful any more. Work was all consuming ( teaching ) and after the honeymoon period of constant pleasures the rot set in.

In my case, Those books I thought I would read when I retired, no longer appeal . Other books have taken their place . If you are introspective at all, it can be a killer having all that free time to ponder .
Married Retirement Plan
by: Joe W.

I think that most seniors probably don't have a retirement plan or a financial plan. As a result, they are starting their retirement in a vacuum that expects outsiders to make a plan(s) that will make them happy.

Also,there is only one problem I see with your retirement plan i.e. What is your husband's retirement plan? It seems to be missing. After corporate life your husband will probably be with you for 24 hours of every day.

Good Luck!

Joe W.
retirement downs
by: Lynn

You have wonderful plans and it is delightful that your husband and you still enjoy each other: that definitely helps to have exciting things to look forward to. A lot of us do not have companionship or no longer have a satisfactory relationship ...that changes everything as you can no longer rely on work for social times.
Lucky but not Typical
by: Linda C.

You are one of the 'lucky ones' - not everyone has your energy, your hunger to learn and explore, your rose-colored glasses!

No doubt, you have lived your whole life so far with confidence, high goals, extreme curiosity, optimism and high energy! You sound like a very outgoing, industrious person :)

However...You might be intimidating to a lot of other folk who unfortunately do not possess these qualities for whatever reasons.

I'm glad for you that you will be enjoying what's ahead but all I'm saying is....try to understand or help those who are struggling with this new chapter of their lives -- comparing some of us to YOU might not help but add to the despair and loneliness. Now I tape my mouth!
You don't know till you get there
by: Anonymous

I made plans for retirement, too, but they changed after I got there. Each person's retirement and adjustment is different. It is easy to be judgmental about how others are handling retirement, especially if you have not retired yet yourself.
Sounds like a dream
by: Ann in Reno

I hope you have a healthy and happy retirement and fulfill all your expectations and more. Having the finances to accomplish your desires is paramount. I messed up when I retired 8 years ago just at the start of the recession and lost.

At 70½ I'm good to survive another day. Thank God. Don't mean to put a damper on your joyful retirement. I'm really happy for you.

Not all of us retirees have as much hope for the future.

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