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Original poster

Oh the joy of being retired...

169 replies

ThreeWiseWomen · 07/04/2022 07:02

DS needed a lift to the station, (doesn't happen often) so DH did it, he was back by six, he came up with two tiny drops of white wine and some cracking manchego, we have turned the leccy blanket right up and stuck on Classic FM and are drifting off for a nice long snooze.

OP posts:
peanutpancakes · 07/04/2022 09:58

@stripeyflowers

I remember when my Aunt retired, the absolute joy she felt at turning off the dreaded alarm clock, rolling over and going back to sleep. Good on you, OP. Long may it continue.
Why did she even have it set 😆
BellePeppa · 07/04/2022 09:59

I’ve got another 7 or 8 years to go but it’s a hard slog as I lost my job during Covid and it’s not easy trying to fill the gap for the next few years. Enjoy your retirement as much as I know I’ll eventually enjoy mine 👏🏻👏🏻🍾

0blio · 07/04/2022 10:01

You have described the world of work today perfectly @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g - the reasons I couldn't wait to retire after working for over 50 years.

When people asked me "but what will you do?" I always replied "not work!" I love pottering about, just doing what's necessary, but mostly as one poster so succinctly put it - feck all!

diddl · 07/04/2022 10:01

You inspired me Op-I didn't fancy wine but am just having some cheese & grapes for elevenses.

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 07/04/2022 10:01

I class myself as retired having brought up five children who are all responsible adults and having been full time carer to my mum for 9 years. Our youngest is getting married next year and my mum is in a nursing home and I relish every moment when there is no one calling me or wanting me to do anything. My husband still works but on his "weekends" (Monday and Tuesday) we practice for our retirement. I'm not sure how I would feel about wine and cheese for breakfast (I don't like cheese) but for birthdays and anniversaries we have breakfast in bed and it's wonderful. I hope by now you have drifted off for a doze and/or slept sufficiently to continue loving life. Long may it last!

SoManyTshirts · 07/04/2022 10:02

Early retired after the job I loved slowly disintegrated.

The first year is like a long holiday, after that a routine can be useful - changes and opportunities come and go as life slowly evolves. I love the freedom and lack of responsibilities.

CheltenhamLady · 07/04/2022 10:02

I love it too. No deadlines, no dealing with corporate bullshit, the ability to plan your day as you see fit, no alarm clocks unless it is for something you enjoy, long lunches, more holidays, etc, etc.

If you can afford it I would say go for it!

mrsflurph · 07/04/2022 10:08

I can't actually believe the mean responses on here! Ignore the haters OP, they're just jealous.
You're living the dream! You've worked hard and you deserve to do whatever you want. I would love to start my day like that, enjoy it.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 07/04/2022 10:12

Well I've almost got that beat, OP, because if all goes well, DH and I hope to actually move to Spain when we retire. But that's a good 20 years away, so for now I'll join in with the collective envy Grin

Nnique · 07/04/2022 10:16

This is fantastic and I definitely get it! I hope you truly enjoyed the pure luxury of that moment. Long may it continue.

And you didn’t have to qualify that it was a tiny drop of wine. If miserable people want to judge, let them!

SniffMyQuiffyHair · 07/04/2022 10:19

Pah, you go for it 👍

Oldandcobwebby · 07/04/2022 10:20

I literally have no words to describe my level of jealousy. You got me with the manchego!

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 07/04/2022 10:41

Inspired by the OP, does anyone else have a frivolous little thing they're looking forward to doing in retirement?

Mine is sitting in a peaceful garden, early-ish in the morning, when it's sunny but not yet hot, drinking a cup of fresh coffee and watching the birds. Absolute dream come true would be to also have a little stream in the garden, but I can live without it if I have to.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 07/04/2022 10:43

**and a bacon sandwich.

Bonjovispjs · 07/04/2022 10:46

I am judging you for your 6am glass of wine, but only because I'm jealous and wish it was meSmile

CharSiu · 07/04/2022 10:58

I retired through ill health and at age 50 my workplace gave me my pension. It was touch and go if I would live but my health has stabilised enough for those scary times to be over.

I drink tea in bed and look at MN every morning. I have taken an art class and some other classes which were very enjoyable. I walk for an hour if I’m feeling up to it. My issue is all my friends and DH are still
working as in their forties and fifties. I do have a friend or two who are in actual retirement age and I see them in the week.

DolphinDave · 07/04/2022 11:04

Sounds wonderful OP.

I have taken early retirement and although still have school age children the luxury of getting back from the school run and having a day to fill with nothing in particular is wonderful.

Pre the last lockdown I pushed myself too hard, trying to be everything to everyone and working relentlessly, I burnt out.

After lockdown I didn't go back you work (I know I am fortunate to be financially able to do this)

Enjoy these relaxing times, none of us know what's round the corner and we should take time to just 'be' sometimes......and if that's classic FM with wine and cheese at 6am.......so be it - enjoy!

crackofdoom · 07/04/2022 11:11

Excellent!! Don't forget to get involved in lots of voluntary work, schedule all meetings for 7.00pm and then wonder out loud why all those selfish parents with young kids never get involved, will you? 😆

(I wonder if I will get struck by this kind of amnesia by the time I retire. I probably will, tbh).

Original poster
ThreeWiseWomen · 07/04/2022 11:32

Thank you everyone, we lay there, chatted about how lucky we were to be in position to do this, my mother died eight weeks ago and she was the most middle class, normal looking person on the outside but internally she was all for anarchy. Grin

Both our mums have died now, and as we were sitting up in bed ala Morecambe and Wise, DH said this would have scandalised my poor mother, and yours would have said, oh not Manchego, do you have any brie. Easy to see where I get it from. Grin

In the end we snoozed, until postie knocked on the door with a parcel.

It was bloody silly and decadent and it felt great.

OP posts:
readyshreddiescook · 07/04/2022 12:22

Heaven - that's my vision of retirement! Good for you!

NeedWineNow · 07/04/2022 13:52

Me and DH are looking forward to this when we both retire at the end of June. He's 9 years older than me and had every intention of retiring this year. We discussed finances and decided that we could afford for me to finish as well.

I'm looking forward to having time. Not being tied to the computer, going up to the office 2-3 times a week ( and the cost). As I keep saying, there's an awful lot of books I haven't read!

DidymusAmbrosius · 07/04/2022 13:55

I've gone bright green with jealousy - as I take a deep breath before replying to yet another shit email from some twit at work who hasn't bothered to explain what he needs and then got upset when he didn't get it.

Oh, for the days of business bollocks to be behind me... Grin

GoldenLightNights · 07/04/2022 14:39

Glorious!!! 😍

Xpologog · 07/04/2022 15:34

@ThreeWiseWomen

Just for clarification the wine may as well have been sherry the glass was that small, it was just the sheer utterly silliness of it that appealed to me.

However bed is warm, music gentle and today life feels good.

DH already snoozing.....

Thank you to those who get it.

Do all the silliness you can and enjoy every moment. That’s what retirement’s for 😀
SpringLobelia · 07/04/2022 16:34

@AlisonDonut

I love it. We took early retirement last year and moved to France.

Today is a horrible rainy day so I've stayed in bed til 10, the OH is making blueberry jam on toast with coffee and we are having a hunker down day.

This is my total dream future.