Discussion
Retired in March 18 just before my 56th birthday. I can honestly say I have never regretted it, nor have I found myself wondering what to do. Yes, things take longer, but surely that is the point of retiring? I keep myself "busy" even if it was like the other day and spent most of it reading. I have a few hobbies and I actually enjoy spending time with the wife. Although we may be doing our hobbies at the same time.
What I am certain of is that if I had carried on working, then one way or another it would have killed me. My general health has greatly improved since I retired.
What I am certain of is that if I had carried on working, then one way or another it would have killed me. My general health has greatly improved since I retired.
jonah35 said:
Usually you’d be in Tenerife walking along the beach and stopping for a coffee/beer
UK isn’t so good during winter for retired folks
This, this and thrice this!UK isn’t so good during winter for retired folks
Have spent a fortune with the seed catalogues (and Majestic Wine) and very much looking forward to spring.
It's been a long winter.
I too retired early at 55 a couple of years ago. With enough saved and small pensions cashed in to support a decent lifestyle until my main pensions kick in at 65.
Early retirement is certainly not for everyone; regardless of whether you can afford it or not. You have to be able to maintain the structure to your day without working doing that for you or you'll end up doing nothing "extra" at all. As you've found out, the "normal" chores will just fill more time and you'll dither aimlessly from one thing to the next, become unfulfilled and possibly even go back to work
Ok, this last year has been a pain, but the lockdown yo-yo train won't last forever and can actually even be used to advantage. For example, last autumn I started to learn to fly - something I'd been wanting to do since I was about 5 years old! Obviously lockdown/tier 4 halted hands-on flying there, but I used the time to study (and later pass) 8 of the 9 theory exams required. I'm using this lockdown to study for the last one. Once we're out, I'll be able to concentrate on the flying without worrying about studying for the theories.
I'm not suggesting you learn to fly; just using that as an example.
Another personal example is beer brewing (clearly a the most obvious accompaniment to flying)
I've been spending a lot of lockdown perfecting my all-grain brewing - this also has the added advantage that I can't remember how long we've been unable to go out 
My point is that you can't expect "ordinary" stuff to fill your day - you need to fill it with extraordinary stuff to have you eager in anticipation of the day ahead. I honestly don't know where I even found the time to go to work!
Regards Andy
Early retirement is certainly not for everyone; regardless of whether you can afford it or not. You have to be able to maintain the structure to your day without working doing that for you or you'll end up doing nothing "extra" at all. As you've found out, the "normal" chores will just fill more time and you'll dither aimlessly from one thing to the next, become unfulfilled and possibly even go back to work
Ok, this last year has been a pain, but the lockdown yo-yo train won't last forever and can actually even be used to advantage. For example, last autumn I started to learn to fly - something I'd been wanting to do since I was about 5 years old! Obviously lockdown/tier 4 halted hands-on flying there, but I used the time to study (and later pass) 8 of the 9 theory exams required. I'm using this lockdown to study for the last one. Once we're out, I'll be able to concentrate on the flying without worrying about studying for the theories.
I'm not suggesting you learn to fly; just using that as an example.
Another personal example is beer brewing (clearly a the most obvious accompaniment to flying)
I've been spending a lot of lockdown perfecting my all-grain brewing - this also has the added advantage that I can't remember how long we've been unable to go out My point is that you can't expect "ordinary" stuff to fill your day - you need to fill it with extraordinary stuff to have you eager in anticipation of the day ahead. I honestly don't know where I even found the time to go to work!
Regards Andy
Not retired at 72 but lighter schedule than in the old days. Lockdown is a pain and zoom conferences are no substitute for face-to-face meetings.
Air travel down from 80,000 miles a year to zero, and no vacation trips of course.
Work on some house Reno and working out a bit,walking the dog, thinking about next car. Yes,adventurous life
Air travel down from 80,000 miles a year to zero, and no vacation trips of course.
Work on some house Reno and working out a bit,walking the dog, thinking about next car. Yes,adventurous life
Went part time at 40 and retired altogether at 54.
What ever you do, keep fit and active and do something interesting and rewarding with your life post work otherwise your brains turn into mush and your days disappear in a blur.
That's probably gonna happen sooner or later anyway but delaying it for as long as you possibly can seems like a plan.
What ever you do, keep fit and active and do something interesting and rewarding with your life post work otherwise your brains turn into mush and your days disappear in a blur.
That's probably gonna happen sooner or later anyway but delaying it for as long as you possibly can seems like a plan.
Andy-IM said:
I too retired early at 55 a couple of years ago. With enough saved and small pensions cashed in to support a decent lifestyle until my main pensions kick in at 65.
Early retirement is certainly not for everyone; regardless of whether you can afford it or not. You have to be able to maintain the structure to your day without working doing that for you or you'll end up doing nothing "extra" at all. As you've found out, the "normal" chores will just fill more time and you'll dither aimlessly from one thing to the next, become unfulfilled and possibly even go back to work
Ok, this last year has been a pain, but the lockdown yo-yo train won't last forever and can actually even be used to advantage. For example, last autumn I started to learn to fly - something I'd been wanting to do since I was about 5 years old! Obviously lockdown/tier 4 halted hands-on flying there, but I used the time to study (and later pass) 8 of the 9 theory exams required. I'm using this lockdown to study for the last one. Once we're out, I'll be able to concentrate on the flying without worrying about studying for the theories.
I'm not suggesting you learn to fly; just using that as an example.
Another personal example is beer brewing (clearly a the most obvious accompaniment to flying) I've been spending a lot of lockdown perfecting my all-grain brewing - this also has the added advantage that I can't remember how long we've been unable to go out
My point is that you can't expect "ordinary" stuff to fill your day - you need to fill it with extraordinary stuff to have you eager in anticipation of the day ahead. I honestly don't know where I even found the time to go to work!
Regards Andy
Hope you enjoy the flying lessons. I recently had a look at what I used to think of as Microllights but are now what seems to be just a lower weight category of aircraft. Very impressed and much more affordable in terms of hourly rental. Sorry OFP to jump into your thread good luck with your plans.
Early retirement is certainly not for everyone; regardless of whether you can afford it or not. You have to be able to maintain the structure to your day without working doing that for you or you'll end up doing nothing "extra" at all. As you've found out, the "normal" chores will just fill more time and you'll dither aimlessly from one thing to the next, become unfulfilled and possibly even go back to work
Ok, this last year has been a pain, but the lockdown yo-yo train won't last forever and can actually even be used to advantage. For example, last autumn I started to learn to fly - something I'd been wanting to do since I was about 5 years old! Obviously lockdown/tier 4 halted hands-on flying there, but I used the time to study (and later pass) 8 of the 9 theory exams required. I'm using this lockdown to study for the last one. Once we're out, I'll be able to concentrate on the flying without worrying about studying for the theories.
I'm not suggesting you learn to fly; just using that as an example.
Another personal example is beer brewing (clearly a the most obvious accompaniment to flying)
I've been spending a lot of lockdown perfecting my all-grain brewing - this also has the added advantage that I can't remember how long we've been unable to go out My point is that you can't expect "ordinary" stuff to fill your day - you need to fill it with extraordinary stuff to have you eager in anticipation of the day ahead. I honestly don't know where I even found the time to go to work!
Regards Andy
Hope you enjoy the flying lessons. I recently had a look at what I used to think of as Microllights but are now what seems to be just a lower weight category of aircraft. Very impressed and much more affordable in terms of hourly rental. Sorry OFP to jump into your thread good luck with your plans.
Drumroll said:
Retired in March 18 just before my 56th birthday. I can honestly say I have never regretted it, nor have I found myself wondering what to do. Yes, things take longer, but surely that is the point of retiring? I keep myself "busy" even if it was like the other day and spent most of it reading. I have a few hobbies and I actually enjoy spending time with the wife. Although we may be doing our hobbies at the same time.
What I am certain of is that if I had carried on working, then one way or another it would have killed me. My general health has greatly improved since I retired.
I could have written that , except I retired at 56 3 years ago.What I am certain of is that if I had carried on working, then one way or another it would have killed me. My general health has greatly improved since I retired.
I have a kit car, a home bar, I brew beer, I'm in a band, I walk the dog, I cycle and also have an indoor bike, I'm i to hifi and music, and read a lot
Yep retirement is harder in lockdown because you can't just pop somewhere for a wander around, but I love it.
Like the OP I rarely know what day it is, but I don't care
I finished at 53 and it's bliss. I feel very busy as I always have something to do. Trying to keep fit is top priority but endless other interests fill the day; I never thought I would be this busy with stuff and most of it is fun.
My mindset has been to remove anything stressful and spend as much time as possible on fun or planning fun.
My biggest issue is that I yearn to go places during the week (as weekends busier etc) but everyone I know is at work and I am too "young" to join the "white headed brigade" just yet. I could really do with friends my age that have retired.
My mindset has been to remove anything stressful and spend as much time as possible on fun or planning fun.
My biggest issue is that I yearn to go places during the week (as weekends busier etc) but everyone I know is at work and I am too "young" to join the "white headed brigade" just yet. I could really do with friends my age that have retired.
MikeStroud said:
I finished at 53 and it's bliss. I feel very busy as I always have something to do. Trying to keep fit is top priority but endless other interests fill the day; I never thought I would be this busy with stuff and most of it is fun.
My mindset has been to remove anything stressful and spend as much time as possible on fun or planning fun.
My biggest issue is that I yearn to go places during the week (as weekends busier etc) but everyone I know is at work and I am too "young" to join the "white headed brigade" just yet. I could really do with friends my age that have retired.
I was too young to join the "white-headed brigade" when I joined the "white-headed brigade" My mindset has been to remove anything stressful and spend as much time as possible on fun or planning fun.
My biggest issue is that I yearn to go places during the week (as weekends busier etc) but everyone I know is at work and I am too "young" to join the "white headed brigade" just yet. I could really do with friends my age that have retired.
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