Sad about retiring today.

[Soontobe60]

Today I retire. I've been planning this for 18 months and was so looking forward to it. But I suddenly feel so sad about it. I'll miss my colleagues, miss the routine, miss the children I teach. I seem to have fallen into a pit of depression overnight. I think if I could, I'd rescind my resignation and stay working! Are there any other retirees out there that felt the same way? AIBU to feel this way?

I felt very sad to be saying goodbye to a wonderful school community but was very fortunate that my first DGC was due just after I retired. My DD suffered from awful PND so I was so pleased to be available to help. Had I not been needed I'd intended to volunteer for Homestart. They do such fantastic work with vulnerable young families. X

Its normal to feel that way, believe me after a month or two you will miss nothing and fill your life with all sorts that you hadnt time or energy to get into before. I have been retired 10 years and love it. Get out there and fill your life.

It makes complete sense OP, especially as you get on so well with your colleagues etc. It’s quite a big change when you go from doing the same thing for 5 days a week and then suddenly you aren’t. You’re not BU to feel that way you do. Hopefully you can find some great hobbies or volunteering etc as your next project. Congrats on your retirement regardless and all the best for whatever is next.

Reading all your suggestions has given me food ht! Today went well, the house smells of beautiful flowers and I'm off out for tea with DH and one DD.
My first task is to sort out all the stuff I've acquired over the years and turn my loft into a home office / hobby room!

Congratulations but future generations won't be able to retire most likely so maybe think of that

Ah OP, YANBU. I know how you feel. I'm retiring at the end of next term (school office worker, not a teacher) and having very mixed feelings about it.

@demelza82 😑
Lovely display of empathy there.

Lots of people would love to keep working but due to ageism they're pushed out and never given another opportunity. Everybody's situation is different. It is recognised as a time of transition you know.

@demelza82
You're right, which is why I drum it into my DDs to pay as much into their pensions as they can, and also try to overpay on their mortgages so that when they are my age they will stand a better chance of being able to retire.
Another way to look at it is that my school are now able to appoint a younger teacher plus a TA for the same salary as they paid me. Yes,they wont have the same wealth of experience I have, but they'll possibly have more energy 🤣
For those suggesting volunteering, I've already offered to do half a day in a couple of schools where I know I can be of some use. I'm feeling a bit more positive now x

Joining the thread in solidarity, another about-to-retiree getting all reflective! I'm ready to go, but will miss parts of it - it's been part of who I am for 35 years, so that creates a void in my self-view that will take a while to re-fill I think. And I'm single, so might miss the 'automatic social contact' too. On balance, I'm looking forward to it though...

I was just so excited when I finished from my career. The last couple of years had been hell, which I suppose helped, but I went and did so much that I really wanted to, and much requiring no outlay at all. Simple things like getting more fresh air, having time to keep the house tidier than it was when working, working on getting our big garden looking really nice. Glad I did, because you just never know what is coming your way. For me it is caring duties for elderly parents, who I love dearly.