Early retirement...Why am I so lazy now...!!

[earsup]

Last year very busy...was the second year of the early retirement from teaching....got lots done....diy, gardening etc....And now I have 2 little jobs left to do....fit some insulation to the loft hatch and attach some plastic roof stuff to our gazebo thing in the garden.....
I do quite a lot of yoga...live class 3 times a week...other than that....it's housework....kids long gone....bit of cooking...some days out on the train and a few walks....I remember when working full time, I would thrash through tasks rapidly....now I look and the list and procrastinate...!!

Because there's no pressure to do anything, takes away our efficiency!

I've always found that the less I have to do, the less I actually get done. You feel like you have loads of time and end up just doing nothing and procrastinating. I think it's fairly common for people to be much more productive when they're busy.

Sounds like bliss. I am retiring at the end of this month. Can't wait.

I wouldn’t say it’s lazy. You just aren’t in a rush. Activities don’t need to be productive in order for them to have value. Enjoy your retirement, you’ve earned it - the insulation will be ready when you are

You only have 2 little jobs left to do? Doesn't sound like procrastination to me. I have an endless list of decorating etc. to do. You sound very much on top of it.

YABU, just enjoy it! I'm retired and loving the leisure to do things when and if I choose. I worked all my life for this!

You have worked all your life and have earned the right to relax. When you are bored you will find something to do I am sure !

@Sparklesocks

I wouldn’t say it’s lazy. You just aren’t in a rush. Activities don’t need to be productive in order for them to have value. Enjoy your retirement, you’ve earned it - the insulation will be ready when you are

Oh...I like this response...have been meaning to finish those 2 little jobs for over 6 months....!!...I guess I am used to getting things done as need to due to work pressures etc...!

Im the same ! Used to rush round doing tasks ,forever on the go .Need to tidy the bedroom .Just cant be arsed! Long walks out with dog .Coach outings with my older friend . Lots of going on MN and computer generally. You are not unusual,just relax and enjoy for now

The less you have to do, the less you want to do ! You

When we were having a lot of successful "early release" staff (civil service reductions in 2010) there was a course you could go on if thinking of early retirement.
They said the first 6 months/a year you'll be busy doing stuff that you've not had chance to do when working. Then, when you've done all that, the "do it tomorrow" mindset sets in. For example, you're working and your car needs taxing. Right, I've got 5 minutes whilst waiting on the phone, I'll do it online now whilst waiting, job done.
If you've not got 5 minutes spare but loads of time, you can think I'll do it tomorrow, as there's no sense of urgency to fit it in around other tasks. Then it never gets done!

Work expands to fit the time available!

I’ve always found this to be true.

Try not to put pressure on yourself and think back to how much more stressful life was before!

I have always been proud of my time management. I could achieve amazing amounts. Now retired, there is always tomorrow. I waste so much time.

"If you want anything doing, give it to a busy person".

Enjoy doing things in your own good time OP, and being off the hamster wheel.

People need meaning and purpose generally. That purpose can simply be their own enjoyment but we are usually happiest when we have a balance between productivity, self care, and leisure. See this as a sabbatical, and then have goals for next year

Seriously first world....but hey you could plant a picking garden

Because, like wealth, you generally adapt to how much you have.

I finished teaching this year (I say finished but I was bullied out but that's another story!). I can't take my pension until next summer so have called this my 'gap year' and am enjoying doing bugger all.

It’s called Parkinson’s Law - work expands to fill the time you have. The old saying ‘if you want something done quickly, ask a busy person’.

I am the same, but I enjoy it. It is great not having tons of things to do on a day off, and if it rains it screws up those jobs till the next week. We have a routine, which we have built up through Covid ensuring we get out everyday, and chores get done in the morning. We are involved with the local Rotary Club which keeps us in touch with others, gives us some good social activity and does some good in the community too. I would hate to have to go back to work again.

why do you have two jobs to be done and why do you feel if you don't do them within a set time frame that you're lazy?

yabu to think your lazy when there is lots to enjoy about life, not worry about whether you've done jobs that aren't going to be a matter of life or death

This is me .I took early retirement at the end of Feb with great plans for the summer, getting my utility room and garage sorted amongst other things. I was full of beans for the first 6 weeks and did lots of small jobs .Then I got lazy and the bigger jobs never got done . I run a lot and am training for races, including the London Marathon so I blame tired legs , which is not always the case ! I have 2 DS's , still at home so kept going in that I am still needed for providing food and clothes but I feel like I should have been more productive . I like the responses though and have decided that next year is another year !

I hear you, OP.
DH and I both took early retirement last year, during lockdown.
I feel like I'm just drifting, mainly supporting DH - bereavement, house clearing & sale; then he wanted to buy a caravan, which became a motorhome, which became a camper van (oh the drama as he agonised over every detail of the spec, and made me watch a million YT vids with him). Then there's the redecorating I've helped him with (long overdue anyway) which he keeps complaining about having to do, even though it was his idea to start! I thought I'd be wafting about art galleries and shops and meeting friends for lunch and interesting classes ... just not happening.

DH complains he hasn't done half the things he wanted to, but fails to acknowledge that he has achieved a lot, and in fact they are things he has chosen to do.

It's good to hear it's not just me...!!...Today was busy...cooking food for an unwell friend, collecting the prescription...dropping it off etc...repotting some plants....listing some items on Ebay....And...most important...applied for a part time job at local cafe / bar...3 evenings a week...interview this week...!!

I also did the camper van thing...bought van....converted it all...loved doing that....went to many festivals but after 2 years it got stolen and cant face doing all that again but that really did get me up and moving...no procrastinating there..!!...Will finish the 2 nibbly jobs this week and then move on....life is too short...!!

I retired two and a half years ago and I'm just starting to look around for things to do with my time. TBF, I have moved house and we've still got a pandemic, but honestly, I can make cleaning the bathroom last a whole week and even then it's not very clean!