I feel at peace with myself in my 60s.

[Tolkienista]

Yesterday was a very big birthday for me .....66 years old, officially a pensioner and all that goes with it.
I've kind of dreaded this birthday, not because I feel old & over the hill, anything but.
I only retired last summer after a 44 year career in teaching.

I still feel incredibly young at heart & thankfully I'm in very good health.
However, there's no getting away with it, I'm 66, two weeks younger than Madonna but I'm very much embracing my retirement and all that goes with it, I really don't miss a career that very much defined me as a person. I like what I see when I look in the mirror & I've never felt more confident.

How do others feel?
Am I the only one who is embracing being 66?

66 is the new 50 😃

I’m genuinely looking forward to 66! I’m 50 now.

I think 66 is kind of the pinnacle. Career done, raising kids done, caring for parents probably done. But still with luck and good management, fit and healthy enough to enjoy living and do stuff.

Still working but can’t decide when/ if I want to retire. What makes ppl decide to retire? Is it just age?
I know my pension can kick in from 60, but how do I decide when to retire?

66 retired from teaching in 21. Never been happier. Love every bit of my life.

I think if you have enough money and won't be bored.....you retire 🥰

So many I know haven't made that age, so reaching it has to be a bonus. It means you're not dead.

As soon as you think it is financially viable….you are a long time dead…..and who knows how quickly your time will come

66 was the first birthday I really celebrated for ages - officially a pensioner and got the bus pass to prove it.

I feel fantastic, have the time and the health to do everything I want. I know what I want (travel) and what I don't care about (expensive cars, clothes) and have the experience to cut my coat according to my cloth.

I want my younger DH to retire immediately as I can see that these golden years are limited - we won't be this healthy for long and I want to enjoy every minute of it.

Love these threads! I was dreading turning 50, but what a surprise! I'm 55 now and so far it's been my best decade yet. Not retiring for years, but that's OK as I love my job and am paid for responsibility rather than activity so the pace is fine. Had DC young so they're all adults and I have lovely DGC. I have fabulous friends of 10, 20 and even 50 years duration, and loads of time to see them. I've made a conscious effort to not be in a rut and I try a new thing every month. A band I've never heard of, a city I've never visited. I don't box myself in with what sort of person I am or what I like, I'm open to anything. These threads give me inspiration that this will continue and get even better. I'm having the time of my life and excited for the future.

Turn 60 next year. I'm embracing it. I've lost friends who would have loved to have made it to 60 so partly doing it for them.

I feel energetic (mostly, thanks to HRT) , optimistic and am working on my fitness and flexibility. I'm working part time now and (mostly) enjoying it and it gives us a good lifestyle. Kids all still at home and we are kind of subsidising them.

The way I look at it we are lucky to be here, lucky to be healthy and I'm planning to enjoy every little bit of it. 🤓

Loving your interaction and replies, thanks.
I think the reason I've posted this today is because my mother is 95 and has just gone into a care home. I've never laughed so much in the last week. The carers are so lovely, hardworking and I love my visits there on a daily basis. Residents are mainly in their 80s and 90s, but they're all characters.
Don't fight your age, embrace it.

With you. Don’t give a shiny shite what anyone thinks anymore.

Carpe Diem.

Yes .......the bus pass/travel pass!
Mine arrived in the post yesterday, put it to good use today.
Into the city centre by train, returned by bus.
Bumped into a former pupil enjoyed a catch up and a trip down memory lane when I taught her in primary school.
Happy days.

Absolutely.
Not afraid to speak my mind.
If you don't like the answer, don't ask the question.

I'm 65 and loving it. In excellent health, more or less retired, fitter than I ever was and doing exactly what I want.
Very small circle of friends and a great dh.

Please don’t wish your life away. Live in the present

Congratulations on your retirement! The world is truly your lobster now. What are your plans?

I empathise with your post and honestly for me, "when you know you know" and i knew in the summer of 2022.
I knew I had another year of teaching left in me and that was it, each month became "the last September, the last October etc" I'd always loved my profession but I was happy to hang up my lanyard and move onto retirement.
Never missed it.
I've been back to see the staff and pupils, but I'm happy to sign out at the end of my visit and fully embrace my retirement.

I've been retired for just over a year and the biggest plus for me is freedom.
However for me, my mother's decline in mobility since Apr has curtailed my freedom somewhat, but I've been happy to help with her increasing care needs.
I've been all over the world, so my lack of travel this year is not a concern.

I'm 66, same age as Toyah and Kate Bush.
I stopped caring what others think years ago. Retired at 58. I'm fit but not healthy in that I have Rheumatoid arthritis and various other conditions which don't often stop me doing things.
No bus pass because no public transport near me.

Thanks for your comment, I'm 66 too.
I bought a new car last September and I use it every day, but my travel pass is going to be so useful.
I can use it on my local train network which is extensive and buses too.
So I will definitely be using it as much as I can.

60 this year. Towards the end of my 50s I was a bit depressed about it, but I joined a gym, started lifting weights, and feel great. I don't look great, I look my age. But I don't care. I feel great, and am looking forward to the next decade. I feel very confident too, don't really care what people think anymore. Getting older is fantastic, especially when you think of the alternative!

I love reading positive messages like this. I'm mid40's and despite dreading my 40's - no idea why- society maybe? - I have been absolutely thriving and loving it. Caring less and learning more about myself. I tell my younger friends they have a treat in store, so even better if you are loving your 60's. Lovely to hear.

Cheery

But true