Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

61 replies

earsup · 04/09/2021 23:20

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...!!

OP posts:
M0rT · 05/09/2021 22:16

When I was in school the days I had hardly any homework none got done and the days I had loads it all got done.
I've found adulthood almost exactly the same, it's just I mostly give myself the homework now Grin
Good luck with the job!

Greenstick · 05/09/2021 22:19

Relax. You’ve earned it. Can’t wait till my time is my own. Any grand-kids? If so, do your kids a favour and take them on holiday!

Original poster
earsup · 05/09/2021 23:32

@Greenstick

Relax. You’ve earned it. Can’t wait till my time is my own. Any grand-kids? If so, do your kids a favour and take them on holiday!
Yes...need to grasp that ...don't I.....one GK...in Sicily....so could visit when able...
OP posts:
thepeopleversuswork · 05/09/2021 23:41

This is why I'd hate to retire. I have always been convinced that the more you have to do, the more you get done. It's a bit like that phrase: if you want something done, give it to a busy person to do. I find periods of underemployment extremely difficult.

blueshoes · 06/09/2021 00:13

I am a crammer. Need stress, deadlines and burning platforms to get things done. Life is busy right now with ft job and dcs at the GCSE/A level/uni stages. I have endless lists that I don't get to the bottom off but ticking them off as I go. Dh is the opposite - slow and steady, but also gets things done.

I suspect that if I take early retirement, I will just veg out all day long because there is no urgency to do anything.

OP, were you a crammer at school?

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 06/09/2021 10:37

I worry about turning into one of those people who have one appointment on a Wednesday, therefore can't fit anything else in that week!!

Original poster
earsup · 07/09/2021 00:43

@blueshoes

I am a crammer. Need stress, deadlines and burning platforms to get things done. Life is busy right now with ft job and dcs at the GCSE/A level/uni stages. I have endless lists that I don't get to the bottom off but ticking them off as I go. Dh is the opposite - slow and steady, but also gets things done.

I suspect that if I take early retirement, I will just veg out all day long because there is no urgency to do anything.

OP, were you a crammer at school?

Yes I need deadlines.....I did have deadlines as had 4 trips abroad booked but all cancelled.... not really a crammer at school....but major progress today...i fitted the new roof to the gazebo and nice weather ahead so will do more gardening....the loft hatch can wait but will try to fit the bits outside in the sun...also applied for another local part time job....that's what i need really...did a bit of tutoring but found it tedious...one to one...meeting people in the new job would be good...its a cafe / bar set up and can walk in few mins...sent emails...waiting to hear now..!
OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 07/09/2021 00:49

I need deadlines too. One of the best things about retirement is not having them any more. I spent all day today in the garden with a book. It was like being on holiday. I spent the best part of 50 years getting up at silly o’clock and running round like my hair was on fire. I’ve bloody earned this. You have too @earsup.

Monestera · 07/09/2021 03:33

What age/subject did you teach OP? Your writing is quite distinctive.

Etulosba · 07/09/2021 06:48

What age/subject did you teach OP? Your writing is quite distinctive.

I was wondering if she used to be a telegram operator for the Post Office.

Elbie79 · 07/09/2021 07:08

@earsup

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...!!

OP great you've achieved so much so far, come back and tell us when you've finished those last two jobs this week!
amymorris01 · 07/09/2021 07:18

You sound to me that you are very busy. I retired in Jan and Ive just started to push my self to do stuff. I kept putting off doing my windows but I did them yesterday and feel better for it. I like pottering about in doors but I dont much like going out at the moment, its not anything todo with covid its just I cant be arsed but When I do venture out I also feel better for that too. I do feel a bit guilty sometimes because DH is still working (he is 8 years younger than me) but he says I shouldnt as I deserve to mooch about.

MeanMrMustardSeed · 07/09/2021 08:34

This is very interesting. I’m beginning to wonder (for myself and DH) whether it’d be preferable to go part time earlier for longer, rather than retire. So instead of retiring in 2040 (for eg), go part time in 2035 but keep going until 2045. Thought it might give us a better quality of life for longer, and help maintain momentum! Would be interested in any thoughts or experiences of that.

Original poster
earsup · 07/09/2021 13:15

@Etulosba

What age/subject did you teach OP? Your writing is quite distinctive.

I was wondering if she used to be a telegram operator for the Post Office.

Oh....I do write sometimes when posting in a rapid way...sort of a points list...!!...only because my neighbour said I spend too much time at comptuer on kitchen table...maybe that's why jobs are slow....plastic roof all done and now in the sun with glue and loft hatch and foam stuff...!!
OP posts:
Original poster
earsup · 07/09/2021 13:19

@MeanMrMustardSeed

This is very interesting. I’m beginning to wonder (for myself and DH) whether it’d be preferable to go part time earlier for longer, rather than retire. So instead of retiring in 2040 (for eg), go part time in 2035 but keep going until 2045. Thought it might give us a better quality of life for longer, and help maintain momentum! Would be interested in any thoughts or experiences of that.
I did this....sort of...did 4 days a week in last years as mum was unwell...and for one year, I did 3 days a week....makes the world of work much nicer.... I haven't heard back from the 2 part time job applications...now wondering if they think I am too old...I did state that I was an early retired teacher...!!

I think some sort of part time work is a good idea...I have my teacher's pension so the cafe jobs are just a bonus...but it's the fact of getting out and some routine and meeting people that appeals to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
earsup · 07/09/2021 13:21

@Monestera

What age/subject did you teach OP? Your writing is quite distinctive.
I taught A levels and BTEC in an FE college..!
OP posts:
leavesthataregreen · 07/09/2021 13:25

You don't have to steam through life taming time. You can just rest and be. Savour the moment. That's not lazy. It's relaxed. I thought that was one of the aims of retirement.

If you're bored, that's different - get some new hobbies or adventures or find a job. But if you've just started unwinding, enjoy it.

Original poster
earsup · 08/09/2021 00:18

Well for those who wanted a progress update:
new roof now on gazebo
loft hatch insulated and now back in place
repotted a lot of seedlings also...!!

OP posts:
ShepherdessBoink · 08/09/2021 00:36

I'm a crammer and I doubt Id go part time. I can't wait to retire once I can afford it! Am not even 40 yet.

I'm not averse to hard work... but cannot bear DIY/ house chores and plan to downsize to a smaller home with very low maintenance requirements and have enough for handy person, decorator etc. I also plan to lose the car. It'd be like being a teenager all over again.

Enjoy procrastinating OP.

JudgeJ · 08/09/2021 10:36

@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...!!
Exactly the same as me, before I escaped the chalkface I was often up til 3am working, sometimes school, others painting walls etc. Now I don't seem able to complete a job, I stripped and sanded the front door three weeks ago, bought the paint and it's still on the floor in the hall! Now of course it's too hot to paint it, next week it'll probably rain so I won't be able to do it then either.
BestIsWest · 08/09/2021 10:41

This will be me when I retire the year after next. I can just see it. DH retired recently and seems to do not very much. I have loads of plans but lots of inertia too.

sashagabadon · 08/09/2021 10:48

Go back to work? A nice part time job with no responsibility? Working in a cafe, dinner lady, library, local art gallery / museum steward, swimming pool receptionist, hairdresser taking the bookings, sweeping floor, retail?
There’s lots of other things too. Give you back structure to your week and make you think right gotta sort out that gazebo today as working tomorrow.

sashagabadon · 08/09/2021 10:50

Tutoring a level students too ( as that is your expertise)

echt · 08/09/2021 10:55

I've spent my whole working life responding to deadlines - the only thing that makes me do stuff, as I am a procrastinator.

I'm retiring at 67 at the end of the year. Not putting that off.:o

Whinginadeville · 08/09/2021 10:56

I'm in the same boat here I've worked since I was 12 regularly held down two jobs, run a house bought up 2 dc on my own cleared my mortgage and almost cleared my pension flat mortgage. I'd regularly be on the Go from 6 til 10 caught Covid just before lockdown reassessed my life with my lovely now dh and 18 months later a bit of yoga, dog walking and tidying the house seems to fill up every hour of the 5/6 day's I don't do dgc care