Feeling down, not depressed, just empty.
Discussion
That's the weird thing, I don't really 'do' holidays. The idea of sitting on a beach doing nothing has always been so alien to me, I'd rather just be at home working in my garage, building or making something.
Being at home was my holidays, and five weeks offshore was my work. All that has gone topsy turvy since I retired, and though I never want to go offshore again maybe some work is a way to stabilise things, something with defined times, dates and responsibilities to adhere to.
All the years I scoffed at people who said they'd be bored if they retired, as if their life is so bad they need work to make it meaningful, maybe they were smarter than me?
But when I did work, both in the factory, and then offshore, I met no end of people there who didn't really do anything when they were off work, no hobbies, past times, projects etc. They almost seemed to be quite content doing what I do now; simply sitting around passing the time.....
Being at home was my holidays, and five weeks offshore was my work. All that has gone topsy turvy since I retired, and though I never want to go offshore again maybe some work is a way to stabilise things, something with defined times, dates and responsibilities to adhere to.
All the years I scoffed at people who said they'd be bored if they retired, as if their life is so bad they need work to make it meaningful, maybe they were smarter than me?
But when I did work, both in the factory, and then offshore, I met no end of people there who didn't really do anything when they were off work, no hobbies, past times, projects etc. They almost seemed to be quite content doing what I do now; simply sitting around passing the time.....
King Herald said:
Barmyfluid said:
It's a sobering thought (scuse the pun) that the dream - retirement - is not where it's at when we get there. This thread has made me think on.
Yesterday it was a perfect winters day in Shropshire,I had a job on so drove from Shrewsbury to Stone. That in itself was a hoot in the Z4. To put the icing on the cake saw some lucky bleeder with a day off having a blat on his H2 triple. Now that alone has got to be worth getting out of bed for !
Keep your pecker up.
Guy came through Stafford town centre in a Beemer sports car thing yesterday, I know not the model, top down, loud exhaust. Wasn't you was it?Yesterday it was a perfect winters day in Shropshire,I had a job on so drove from Shrewsbury to Stone. That in itself was a hoot in the Z4. To put the icing on the cake saw some lucky bleeder with a day off having a blat on his H2 triple. Now that alone has got to be worth getting out of bed for !
Keep your pecker up.
Buying a bike and doing some European touring again is something I have planned on when time and money allow. Prices of old classics, the sort of thing that were the latest and greatest in my day, have gone crazy though. Even the retro style, like the Kawasaki Zephyr etc that came out 20 years later, are turning into expensive classics now..... I really do not go a bundle on the later Transformer style models, with sharp corners, pointy bits. and weird shapes all over, hideous.
Wacky Racer said:
Wasting time is not wasted time.
John Lennon.
Said whilst wasted on LSD in the late '60's !!John Lennon.
King Herald said:
That's the weird thing, I don't really 'do' holidays. The idea of sitting on a beach doing nothing has always been so alien to me, I'd rather just be at home working in my garage, building or making something.
Being at home was my holidays, and five weeks offshore was my work. All that has gone topsy turvy since I retired, and though I never want to go offshore again maybe some work is a way to stabilise things, something with defined times, dates and responsibilities to adhere to.
All the years I scoffed at people who said they'd be bored if they retired, as if their life is so bad they need work to make it meaningful, maybe they were smarter than me?
But when I did work, both in the factory, and then offshore, I met no end of people there who didn't really do anything when they were off work, no hobbies, past times, projects etc. They almost seemed to be quite content doing what I do now; simply sitting around passing the time.....
Holidays don't have to mean sitting on a beach doing nothing - certainly never had to me. It's about a defined period of time when it's ok to not be productive. Then, when you get home, you might have had a chance to think about what to do. Maybe learn a new skill at college or something?Being at home was my holidays, and five weeks offshore was my work. All that has gone topsy turvy since I retired, and though I never want to go offshore again maybe some work is a way to stabilise things, something with defined times, dates and responsibilities to adhere to.
All the years I scoffed at people who said they'd be bored if they retired, as if their life is so bad they need work to make it meaningful, maybe they were smarter than me?
But when I did work, both in the factory, and then offshore, I met no end of people there who didn't really do anything when they were off work, no hobbies, past times, projects etc. They almost seemed to be quite content doing what I do now; simply sitting around passing the time.....
Barmyfluid said:
With classics the trick is to spot unfashionable models ,there are some that get overlooked but not always because they have no merit.
I notice that looking anywhere that has connections with mass sales (ebay) or the classic market seems to triple the price. Get one on one with normal people and prices seem far more realistic. klmhcp said:
Holidays don't have to mean sitting on a beach doing nothing - certainly never had to me. It's about a defined period of time when it's ok to not be productive. Then, when you get home, you might have had a chance to think about what to do. Maybe learn a new skill at college or something?
Having lived in the tropics for nearly 7 years, and gone to the beach just three times, I'm at a loss really where/how to go for a holiday as such. Don't they involve something like relaxing and doing nothing? And finding something that keeps us all (well, two of us now (is always a chore. Mum is away until she sells the house in the Philippines, but that gives me some needed peace and quiet, almost a holiday in itself.
However, with the problems we are having getting my daughter into school, the possibility she may be sat on her arse until September, the idea of a road trip to Spain is sounding appealing.
I haven’t read the whole thread but sympathise, I am involved with setting up a shed association group in our area see http://menssheds.org.uk/
It is a sort of bloke's Womens Insitute! It has been very successful at dealing with isolation / depression issues particularly for guys who have retired and moved from a work environment with lots of social interaction to a fairly solitary existence.
It has quite an interesting history having started in Oz.
Might be worth investigating whether a group exists locally, or starting one, sounds like you already have a shed!
It is a sort of bloke's Womens Insitute! It has been very successful at dealing with isolation / depression issues particularly for guys who have retired and moved from a work environment with lots of social interaction to a fairly solitary existence.
It has quite an interesting history having started in Oz.
Might be worth investigating whether a group exists locally, or starting one, sounds like you already have a shed!
I have the shed, but nothing in it yet. 
Just the messy remains of the previous tenant. He will be hopefully clearing a bunch of stuff out in due course. If not, it will go in a skip eventually.
I guess I'm really in a sort of limbo, but when my boxes and boxes of tools and gear arrive things may improve.
Interesting idea, the menssheds.org though. I'll check it out.
Just the messy remains of the previous tenant. He will be hopefully clearing a bunch of stuff out in due course. If not, it will go in a skip eventually.I guess I'm really in a sort of limbo, but when my boxes and boxes of tools and gear arrive things may improve.
Interesting idea, the menssheds.org though. I'll check it out.
King Herald said:
I have the shed, but nothing in it yet. Just the messy remains of the previous tenant. He will be hopefully clearing a bunch of stuff out in due course. If not, it will go in a skip eventually.
I guess I'm really in a sort of limbo, but when my boxes and boxes of tools and gear arrive things may improve.
Interesting idea, the menssheds.org though. I'll check it out.
Any joy from the Vitamin D King Herald? I'd consider upping the number of tablets if you're not feeling much better. Just the messy remains of the previous tenant. He will be hopefully clearing a bunch of stuff out in due course. If not, it will go in a skip eventually.I guess I'm really in a sort of limbo, but when my boxes and boxes of tools and gear arrive things may improve.
Interesting idea, the menssheds.org though. I'll check it out.
I was just sat here working away and it dawned on me that I wasn't feeling hugely productive, then I realised I hadn't had my vitamins so I'd be surprised if after lunch I wasn't in a much better mode.
Could just be me though
I've been taking the Vit D for nearly a week now, but I also started on penicillin for the flu three days ago, so I am up and down like a yoyo.
I can sleep well, come down 7am in the morning feeling grand, then an hour later I just feel dismal, ill and negative for no apparent reason. Then two hours after that I can feel fairly good again.
The penicillin seems to be working, my chest doesn't wheeze, crackle and pop all night now.
I can sleep well, come down 7am in the morning feeling grand, then an hour later I just feel dismal, ill and negative for no apparent reason. Then two hours after that I can feel fairly good again.
The penicillin seems to be working, my chest doesn't wheeze, crackle and pop all night now.
klmhcp said:
King Herald said:
That's the weird thing, I don't really 'do' holidays. The idea of sitting on a beach doing nothing has always been so alien to me, I'd rather just be at home working in my garage, building or making something.
Being at home was my holidays, and five weeks offshore was my work. All that has gone topsy turvy since I retired, and though I never want to go offshore again maybe some work is a way to stabilise things, something with defined times, dates and responsibilities to adhere to.
All the years I scoffed at people who said they'd be bored if they retired, as if their life is so bad they need work to make it meaningful, maybe they were smarter than me?
But when I did work, both in the factory, and then offshore, I met no end of people there who didn't really do anything when they were off work, no hobbies, past times, projects etc. They almost seemed to be quite content doing what I do now; simply sitting around passing the time.....
Holidays don't have to mean sitting on a beach doing nothing - certainly never had to me. It's about a defined period of time when it's ok to not be productive. Then, when you get home, you might have had a chance to think about what to do. Maybe learn a new skill at college or something?Being at home was my holidays, and five weeks offshore was my work. All that has gone topsy turvy since I retired, and though I never want to go offshore again maybe some work is a way to stabilise things, something with defined times, dates and responsibilities to adhere to.
All the years I scoffed at people who said they'd be bored if they retired, as if their life is so bad they need work to make it meaningful, maybe they were smarter than me?
But when I did work, both in the factory, and then offshore, I met no end of people there who didn't really do anything when they were off work, no hobbies, past times, projects etc. They almost seemed to be quite content doing what I do now; simply sitting around passing the time.....
Mrs S and I were getting the same,lack of motivation.Spring and Summer are not a problem but winter is crap.
We bought a tandem,now we can't wait to get out on it and get fed up when other stuff crops up to scupper bike rides.
Our relationship is stronger than ever,wasn't bad but now better as we spend time together doing something we like putting in the same effort and it is our "thing",we don't share it with the kids.
Go for ride,picnic by a river or on top of hill and cycle home,day filled and back to feed children at tea time.
We bought a tandem,now we can't wait to get out on it and get fed up when other stuff crops up to scupper bike rides.
Our relationship is stronger than ever,wasn't bad but now better as we spend time together doing something we like putting in the same effort and it is our "thing",we don't share it with the kids.
Go for ride,picnic by a river or on top of hill and cycle home,day filled and back to feed children at tea time.
and my life would be in her hands....Well that was a turn up for the books. A few days ago I woke up in the same miserable state I have for three weeks, moped my way downstairs, watched tv for a while...miserable as sin. Then I went down town to try and find something to put the computer on. They live on a cardboard box at the moment.
I failed at that, so I planned to get the car washed, but I could not face trying to work out how to use the facility, so I simply drive home and moped some more.
Then I watched a program on tv, young girl whose mum had died, and whose dad was sick with cancer. Some tv team were finishing off the half built house they had been trying to build before getting sick.
I don't know how true it was, but I sat there and blubbered in misery for a while, then suddenly TOLD myself to stop feeling such a sad selfish sack of s
t and appreciate the great things I have in my life.
I got up and went out into the garage, found an old coat, threw a pair of jeans on and a wooly hat and spent half a day cleaning all the muck out of the garage, taking down broken shelves, and sweeping up the floor etc. I made it MY garage again ..... and since then I have felt back to normal. The misery and desolation and uselessness have all gone.
That was on Tuesday I think, and I feel normal now, positive, happy etc.
My daughter starts school Monday, things are starting to fall into shape.
Thanks for the advice chaps, I seem to have found my mojo once again, after months of just giving up on life.
I failed at that, so I planned to get the car washed, but I could not face trying to work out how to use the facility, so I simply drive home and moped some more.
Then I watched a program on tv, young girl whose mum had died, and whose dad was sick with cancer. Some tv team were finishing off the half built house they had been trying to build before getting sick.
I don't know how true it was, but I sat there and blubbered in misery for a while, then suddenly TOLD myself to stop feeling such a sad selfish sack of s
t and appreciate the great things I have in my life.I got up and went out into the garage, found an old coat, threw a pair of jeans on and a wooly hat and spent half a day cleaning all the muck out of the garage, taking down broken shelves, and sweeping up the floor etc. I made it MY garage again ..... and since then I have felt back to normal. The misery and desolation and uselessness have all gone.
That was on Tuesday I think, and I feel normal now, positive, happy etc.
My daughter starts school Monday, things are starting to fall into shape.
Thanks for the advice chaps, I seem to have found my mojo once again, after months of just giving up on life.
mickk said:
Great news, now what about buying that car to start on?
Yes, I'm relieved to have got the school sorted out, it has been a bit of a weight around my neck for a long time.Looking at eBay regularly, trying to work out what I want to get into now. Not sure I want another hot rod style thing, something classic or vintage maybe. And a motorcycle too.
Feeling good now, whole again, can't imagine why I was so down and out, now I look back.
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