Is retirement all it's cracked up to be?

[madroid]

If you have actually retired, are you enjoying it?

All things being equal, without, for example, health problems are you actually enjoying your free time? What do you do? What does your day look like?

I imagine there's a 'honeymoon' period where you relish not having to get up to go to work, catch up with all sorts of things... but then what? What have you got into?

I agree.
Have already had that chat with dh who is 10 years older than me - he would be the type to sit around doing sweet fa so needs to keep a couple of irons in the fire l think

Retired 2 years ago at 53 and both moved to France.

Up at 7 to feed the random feral cats
Back to bed for a snooze
Up at 8-9 for a wander round the garden, trip to the boulangerie, back for breakfast. Coffee and toast usually. Overnight oats and strawberries if I prepped them the night before.

Morning, either trip to market, shops, local event and then lunch

Maybe a siesta

Afternoon, garden stuff, coffee with friends, play with the cats, bit of housework etc depending on the heat.

Then a light tea

Then when it cools, actual garden stuff like tonight I'm clearing a space and planting the last of the spuds. Last night I planted 2 grapevines. Maybe a trip to an evening market, or the local cafe which does evening music and events.

Maybe watch a TV programme if we get time.

I’m new to it - I retired in March aged 59.
For the first month I didn’t do much. I hadn’t realised how exhausted I was and I struggled to get out of bed much before 9:30.
Since then I feel much better and have been much more active. I’ve done a lot of work in the garden - to be honest I’ve fallen in love with the garden. I’ve rejoined the gym and swim a few times a week. I meet friends for lunch or coffee. DH is also retired so we’re doing days out here and there and planning holidays.

But I realise it’s early days and friends have warned that the first winter can be hard. I’ve got lots of things I want to do and I’m looking into doing some volunteering but at the moment it’s a joy to have no commitments.

I'm recently back from a walking holiday which included 4 retired couples - all of whom were a lot fitter than many of us who were still working! As they cheerfully pointed out, they'd got a lot more time for walking now they were less busy in the daytime. Where I live there's a lot of voluntary/community activity mainly supported by those who've retired and are still in reasonably good nick. So, that's how I'm planning to spend a big chunk of my retirement which is getting pretty close now (early 60s). Regular walking, ideally with a nice group of sociable people, and some voluntary activity, supporting groups that make my town a better place to live in, which will keep my brain active. And a little more time spent on various hobbys/interests which I already have - gardening, crafts etc. That plus the occasional (reasonably priced) holiday, and some travel around the UK using my senior railcard should keep me busy.

Yes it is all it's cracked up to be, but I'm in OK health and don't have to worry about money. I do somewhat regret playing it safe during my years of employment, but that meant 10 years saving after the mortgage was paid off and a public service pension. And not having kids also considerably helped the finances. I do lots of classes and volunteering and gained a Maths qualification last year. DH is learning Japanese (trip planned for September), does long walks and archaeological digs. We've just returned from a 30th wedding anniversary trip to Italy, and hard work over the winter means the garden nice and ready to enjoy for the summer ☀

@Ambertonix out of interest - are you single? Because whilst I can see myself enjoying that- my H is quite hard work , doesn't like sitting around much and I think would expect me to to be wanting to be out all the time !! Sigh!

My dad retired in his early sixties, but for eyesight issues would probably have done so two or three years later. Had always been involved in two charities and the church he attended, when he retired spent more time on those. His only concession was getting up an hour later.

Contrast that with one of his neighbours, who had been a senior executive and all his 'friends' dropped him like a stone once he retired (he worked in planning, maybe you can speculate why). Spent time in the garden to fill out the day, hardly went anywhere.

I intend to retire next year - but I have plans for what I want to do next. I have a couple of courses lined up and I also want to take a long trip through central Asia. I think if you don't have plans it could get very boring. DP will continue to work as he is younger.

I am mid 40s and work 3 days a week so I don’t think retirement will be too much of a shock!

we have worked with a financial advisor for a little while now to make sure that when we do retire (hopefully in about 10 years time for me, DH is a little older) we we be able to travel a little and live comfortably.

i’m looking forward to taking part in many volunteering and cheap short haul trip opportunities that are mostly midweek and clash with my days in work.

I think many of you are lucky to have partners with hobbies-I do know quite a few couples where the woman still has stuff she likes to do and could easily fill time combined with house stuff- but the bloke does sod all in the house and has few hobbies or local friends as his existence was tied up with work. Having said that I wouldn't want a retirement where it was a 24/7 coupledom if I'm being honest and many do seem to have that and it's kind of expected too in many cases

I retired early to care for my mum who had advancing vascular dementia, so the 2 years until she passed away were challenging and anything but 'retired'. At the same time I started outdoor swimming and met a group of strong like minded women who I would not have come accross in my working life. Their companionship and swimming got me through the dark times with my mum and later supported one another through virtual catch ups during Covid lockdowns. I have no difficulty filling my days - I help out regularly with grandchildren: school pick ups amd outings/activities in school holidays and I volunteer with a local charity. I also swim, a lot, and walk my dogs, again a lot and enjoy a number of craft/creative hobbies. I am happier and healthier than I was pre-retirement. I do feel lucky and wonder what retirement with look like for my children and grandchildren.

up early as dd is still at school. Volunteer two afternoons per week in a charity shop, am a parish councillor and trustee of a charity. Go to the leisure centre four times per week for aqua fit, table tennis or gym. Dh also has a couple of charity roles, does mentoring for his accounting institute and goes to the gym. We also go away for weekends and will travel more when we are not tied to school holidays. Dh retired when he was 53 and I was 52.

I retired at 50 coming up to 15 years ago. Bought our first house which needed a lot if work, got a dog and an allotment.

Have never been bored. If rainy or too cold I dive into books.

It's wonderful to never again get that awful feeling of dread on Sunday night.

We retired about 8 years ago. We've got a nice life. Gardening, working outdoors, lunch out, days out. Walking. We like each other's company so that helps. See the grandkids a fair bit too.

Do you ever feel it's a selfish life? I think I'd struggle with the putting myself first always

I feel like I’ve paid my dues and this is my reward. I worked with young people with disabilities for over 20 years. When I retired, I’d intended to do some volunteering in a similar line, but have a little break first. And then, when it came to it, I just didn’t want to make that sort of regular commitment again.

I do get involved with community activities and help out family and friends but am very careful about not taking on any sort of regular responsibility.

DH is talking of retirement in 2 years time but has already gone down to 4 days a week. He is building a 'portfolio' of voluntary roles ready for when he retires. The ones he has so far can mostly be done as and when he pleases so if we wanted to go away, we could.

He is a great advocate of not going from 5 days a week to zero. When he was the boss to 6000 staff he saw this almost destroy some people.

I worked in healthcare, it’s not a myth.

Quickest I’ve seen is a massive stroke the next morning but he worked in hc so take from that what you will.

My husband has retired, and is busy out of the house pretty much every day. He's also up out of bed by 7am every single day of the week. He has multiple hobbies so, when he was working, the big problem was time to fit them all in. He happily does small amounts of DIY if needed, or cleaning when the cleaner is away. He has a couple of solo holidays a year, plus weekends, as well as those we have together. So I can't wait to retire to have a similar lifestyle, plus volunteering that I've already begun in readiness. And I'm going to go back to my studies, and properly learn a language.

Ten years in now having retired early for a reason. I feel I have paid my debt to society through working full time for many years, no breaks in service. Cared for mother, father and sister who all sadly died of cancer. That was an horrific first few years of retirement, but that's why I did it.

So now it's my turn. I'm single and very happy to be, live alone and love it. The freedom to do NOTHING is immense. I don't need lots of company and in fact prefer my own company better lol! But have friends and family with whom I do things now and then but not every day or week.

I didn't join any clubs or get new hobbies. Didn't need them. I do research on a topic that interests me, I go for trips once a week to a new part of my country where I have free travel on all modes throughout the country. I make use of it! Sometimes with others, sometimes alone. I do like travelling, and my sister (one died) and I do trips to various places in Europe under our own steam. That is great fun, checking out buses, trains, things to see and do etc. etc. A different place twice a year. Marvellous.

Everyone is different. Some need the constant contact with others be that through hobbies, clubs, family, friends etc. Some don't particularly need it. I'm happy in my own skin and I know that friends, neighbours and my family all look out for me and will (and have) helped me out when needed. That's a great comfort. I am financially very secure too which does help of course. At the end of the day to me it is not about how to fill my time, it is about waking every morning with the joyous feeling of FREEDOM to do what I want, or do nothing! I spent my good years working, I don't intend to replace that with another routine.

I retired last April at 63 but it really took me until February this year until I really started to find my feet. DH is still working. The first couple of months were a honeymoon period, and then I concentrated on getting the garden into shape, sorting out cupboards and some dressmaking which I hadn’t the inclination to do when working. In September I decided to join some groups but really struggled due to them being cliquish or me being the only person who turned up. The only thing I’ve kept up is a yoga class. In fact I was actively considering returning to work.

in February I started volunteering a couple of mornings in a charity shop, and after an open day joined a patchwork group. I find that gives enough structure to my weeks and leaves me enough time to do something on a whim.

We retired 10 years ago, and for the first five years we did all the travelling that we wanted to. Then we volunteered at our local museum as ' meet n greet' staff. Covid put a stop to that, and we dearly missed our families.

Once restrictions lifted, we volunteered to help with the grandchildren. So now we have two full days with our daughters children, and one full day with our d's baby daughter.

Life is wonderful, I never miss work at all.

I’m go on holiday 10 times a year, when I’m not on holiday this is a typical week.

Monday and Friday go to my spa for the day, then the other three days are a combination of the following type of activities
meeting a friend for a shop and coffee
costal walk and lunch with DH
cinema evening with friend or DH
errands/appointments
visiting DM in her nursing home

We try and keep weekends as well ends and often do things with our adult DC or bigger days out.

I am 54, life is good.

I left work last Wednesday. I will be 58 later this month.
I will be fostering a teenager but he doesn't move in until August.
So I'm looking forward to a couple of months of total freedom.
I've worked 4 days for the last 11 years so my Fridays will stay the same - breakfast with friends, visit a housebound neighbour for a cup of tea and a natter.

For the rest of the week, I have an allotment which I'm looking forward to developing, i have several friends at the site so thats quite social, I'm finally able to get to the yoga class I've wanted to go to for years. I'm looking forward not to rushing round on the weekends to get shopping, cleaning etc done.

I can't afford multiple long haul holidays or camper vans - I 'll be quite happy with Wales and the Isle of Wight and visiting friends in Cornwall.

I will carry on going to sports events without having to cram it iln, I will be able to watch Wimbledon live if I want to.

I don't feel any great need to 'fill time'. It will be nice to read a book, the newspaper. I may do a volunteer shift at the library, I may go on the allotment committee.
For the next 6 months or so my personal priority is to lose some weight - so my day will be allotment, then gym or long walk, house stuff, cook better food - I used to cook a lot of Moroccan food so will be digging the cook books out.

I'm a very happy bunny and looking forward to the next phase of my life

Been retired 6 years. Am 58. Husband 61. Its absolutely fabulous. Grandchildren,friends,travel. Garden looks amazing. Went back to college to do a City and guilds in textiles. Had an absolute ball. Am part of a group of textile artists. Meet weekly. Hold exhibitions 2x per year. Have exhibited my work in other professional art galleries. Have made lots of money selling it. Husband plays golf, meets friends. Have joined a walking group. Walk on the beautiful Malvern hills 2x per week. Go to theatre,cinema, art galleries, talks. Go out for breakfast, lunch ,dinner. Enjoy food shopping and cooking new things because I have the time to be bothered. Helped our son convert a camper van. Help them with their gardens, interiors of their homes. Never bored, never lonely. It helps that we love each others company. Nothing nicer than chatting over breakfast and making plans.

My mum is 76 and has been widowed for the past 6 years. She is on pension credits, and most of her rent is paid by housing benefit. She is never home - She joined U3A and has a different club most days. Some of the people she's met are now friends. She dog sits our dog once a week as they adore eachother. She has a senior railcard, so she goes to visit different family members a couple of times a year. She also has reduced mobility. My Mum is also shy and hugely lacks confidence. I am very proud of her and how she has rebuilt her life after my Dad died. So much of life's enjoyment is from your outlook, not the size of your bank account, though obviously it helps.