Mixed Emotions

[veggiechicken]

I left after 30 years too and it is strange, saying goodbye to all the people you've known for so long - even if you didn't know them very well, they're still part of your daily life.
Cherish the memories, remember the good times and your good friends - then go forth and have new adventures, make new friends and find time to do all the things you've always wanted to do. Most of all, enjoy yourself
Believe me, retirement is even better than sliced bread

[bearded bloke]

Herself has decided to learn to play the piano as an ongoing retirement project

[Jeanied]

I was 'retired' - made redundant within a year or so of retirement age- in 2011. It was like running over the edge of a cliff - suddenly the ground wasn't there! It has taken me a while to establish a routine for myself so I reckon that is the first thing you should tackle - a series of daily routines- maybe even a different one for each day of the week!
I am still in contact with many of my old team at work - and some of us meet several times a year for a lovely meal out, or a bring your own dish meal in someone's home. We were such a good team when we were working and many of us don't want to lose touch now.
My final recommendation is that if you ever wanted to get yourself a dog, now is the time

[Glutton4...]

...is it normal to feel this way or am I just being over sensitive?

Yeah, you're being over-sensitive! Now pull yerself together and get a life!

Think of all those poor, miserable s*ds out there, that have to get up at stooopid o'clock, five days a week, to go and work for a miserable, ungrateful, penny-pinching whinge-bag. They spend their evenings and weekends too tired to enjoy the short hours of freedom they have, before it's time to go back and do it all again.

Spend the first two weeks getting up when you wake up. Or, set an alarm, and enjoy switching it off and turning over. Have two weeks doing nothing constructive at all. Go for walks, read books, do some cooking, watch some telly, plan a holiday, plan next year's Veggie growing.

Then, get yer arris back in gear, and, as Jeanie says - get a Dog!





Or two!

[Feral007]

I feel a bit the same about when the kids move on BM - had the beggars with me for so long!

I know I'll find things to do, and it might be fun working out what I might like to do (instead of loading unwilling horses and driving snowboarders to the snow) but it is a bit daunting at times.

I found when I was on long service leave that I had so many things that needed/wanted to be done that the time flew and I felt quite put out at having to go back to work.

Maybe draw up a list of things that you really want to get involved in, do, start, finish, before you leave work. That way you won't get caught up in a bit of a backwater motivation wise.

And yes, set the alarm and then turn it off! Good one G4

[Hazel at the Hill]

Good thread this - although (sadly!!) not relevant to me for aaaaaaaages yet!!

Just a word, though - however good a team you have around you, and however great you get on with all your work 'mates' - when you aren't working with them any more, don't be surprised if you lose touch. What you (initially) had in common, you won't have any more - they will move on, and so will you, in different directions.

Although of course if at the mo you do socialise with the team outside of work and are friends without that link, you will still do so when you are retired.

But of course you will miss your current life - a part of which you are leaving behind - BUT look at all the fantastic stuff you will now have time to do, now that you aren't tied to the grindstone.

Have a fantastic future - it's all ahead of you for the taking.

[Bill HH]

When my wife and I gave up our care home I feared that I might stagnate, feel the loss heavily, particularly of assosiates and collegues who become firm friends. The fact is i havent had a moment to reflect on any of those problems, there is so much to do. There is instead a big relief of pressure, no dead lines, no need to be anywhere at a certain time, no fear of letting anyone down. Just keep your health and the world is your oyster, or in my case bacon sarnie. Enjoy your retirement, I think you have the personality to achieve that very well.

[Bigmallly]

Thanks everyone, such kind & positive posts. I did leave an email address on the forum but also noted that life will most likely take over for many of us.....I won't be seeing any of my workmates after retirement as I am also moving away (yet to be announced) so that's scary & exciting at the same time............I don't do things by half..................and all this just before xmad.........how appropriate........

[Dorothy rouse]

It will take a little while ' to adjust' to your new way of life. I took early retirement due to voluntary redundancy, and haven't regretted one day. I had a lively and supportive group of colleagues and I miss them, but certainly not the work, and now a year or so on feel totally removed from the 'work politics and pressures'. I plan something every day, and have time to do the things I really enjoy and didn't gave time to do when at work. What is really nice, is being contacted, often at short notice, by old colleagues to meet up for coffee or lunch, at least once a week, and you know this is because they want to see you, and nothing to do with work. I am now meeting and making new friends with similar interests. I love it, but it may take you a little while to adjust.

Happy retirement, enjoy your last few weeks at work.

[ancee]

Just remember big Mal, that there will be more people out there wanting to be in your position right now than those who wouldn't! I wish you all the luck in the world, what fun you are going to have, doing all the stuff you always wanted to do, and some you didn't know you wanted to do until you did it! Good luck, here's to long lie ins, really late nights and no more alarm clocks, no more commuting or answering to others!

[chris]

Congrats on your retirement

[bearded bloke]

Hey BM,I trust it is only work you are retiring from,not here as well ??


Where you moving to bud ??



Nosey bugger me

[Bigmallly]

Where you moving to bud ??

If I tell you that BB, I fear I may have to kill you.............

[Feral007]

If I tell you that BB, I fear I may have to kill you.............

Well that's a bit harsh

[veggiechicken]

Harsh indeed - might ruin Christmad for BB's Mrs