Just had a retirement rehearsal, loved it and now can't face work

[LittlePrecious]

I've been off work for 11 days. It's the first hefty period of leave I've had in ages that hasn't involved travel, visitors, a big celebration, several nights of events or outings etc.

It was just 11 days at home with DP, normal food and drink, and chilled activities. I loved it. It felt like a rehearsal for retirement and now I can't face going back to work tomorrow 😫

I have epic Sunday night feelings which I haven't had since primary school 🙃 I don't hate my job at all and I'm WFH also permanently for the next six months. So not all bad AT ALL.

But still, how can I psych myself up for work tomorrow and the next million years ?

I like my work colleagues, respect that they care about the job, no dropping people in it, no-one who takes without giving as it were.

However, being able to wfh for two or three days a week is a godsend.

I'm 63 and looking at another four years of working - no real private pensions to draw on but a second income stream from creative work. I was happily toddling along working in retail until management changed and now I keep looking at my bank balance and wondering if I could float myself for the next four years if I just marched in tomorrow and told them I'm retiring right NOW.

DP has lots of scope for scaling back his job and doing more consultancy work which would let him work in a very different way.

My DH also switched to consultancy work from home and it's been fantastic for him. He gets paid more ph so can work less hours. He usually does between 2-3 days a week and they are not fixed. Sometimes it depends on the weather. If it's pouring with rain he'll work all day, if it's sunny he'll take the afternoon off. So flexible.

I don't think I'd be allowed to drop down to PT

Some workplaces allow you to work full time hours but longer days Mon-Thurs so you can have Fridays off (or similar). I know a few people that work a 9 day fortnight by working slightly longer days. All depends what your employer will allow. But yes, definitely pull back on the emotional energy.