new life after retirement

Hello Devongirl. I too am 65 years of age and a retired teacher. However, I retired at 60 so am now a fairly experienced retiree. For what it's worth, I think that retiring from teaching is unlike doing so from many other jobs/professions. We work from 8ish in the morning until about 10pm with few breaks. On days when we are not in school, if we are not still working, we are thinking about it and wondering how we can help X achieve Y. Given my time again I would retire gradually and work part time for a couple of years, or have something 'set up' ready and waiting. For me, just stopping after a lifetime of working 24/7 was difficult. I too searched for other uses for my skills but haven't yet found the right thing. It's a work in progress. ? Good luck!

Sorry, that should be Jane10.

I agree totally with Vampire queen and Joan10. Give yourself time to think, relax, and decide what's best for you. There are loads of opportunities out there, so pace yourself! Perhaps start with a well-earned holiday? Wishing you a very happy retirement.

I'm currently in the process of joining this group which is aimed at seniors: www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/senior-corps-programs/rsvp
Wish I'd known about it years ago. My interest is in helping school-children with their reading.

The only advice that I would offer is that rather than jump straight into "keeping busy and useful" you give yourself at least 6 months after you retire just to weigh it all up. You may well then find, as many people do, that opportunities which weren't as visible from the vantage point of a busy, working life will then present themselves to you. I've been retired for some 15 years now, and as retirement approached, I remember being quite worried about how I was going to fill my time. Seriously, I need not have worried, and even now I have days when I wonder how I ever found time to go to work! Involve yourself in activities that will help keep both your mind and your body in as good shape as is feasible, and your retirement years will be rewarding.Finally, set aside some time to write out a comprehensive "Bucket List", then plan on working your way through it.

Devongirl........ have to say it was both for me. Started out scary and ended up in pretty much bliss. Knew I wanted to be in the voluntary sector and roughly in which arena. Slowly I ventured forth and it has been SO enjoyable so far. Just for the record, I didn't retire until I was 74 and even then somewhat reluctantly. Hope you find the path for you and relish the experience as much as I am doing.

tbh I've never been busier since I retired - but it's been on my own terms; that's the beauty of retirement. I'm a campaigner and meet a wide range of interesting people, am trying to learn some Welsh, enjoy controlled exercise, read lots and still keep in touch with the family business - oh yes, and we're expecting another grandchild! So I think retirement is what you make it - another stage in life with some interesting choices. Have fun!

I haven't posted on here before although I often read the threads. I retired after many years of teaching and took phased retirement where I dropped a day and then two days for a few years. It definitely helped me to adjust - I was dreading retirement after a very busy if stressful career! I managed to start a couple of (small) internet businesses which have kept me busy but I have grown to love my new freedom. I had planned to learn a new language or take an OU course or work in some form of counselling but now find that my new 'career' and walking along with spending quality time with family and friends is very satisfying. I really don't miss getting up at 6 and battling with the traffic not to mention the car parking spaces where I worked!

Devongirl... if you live near an animal sanctuary, eg donkeys, horses, eg, they are often looking for volunteers. It could be a way in for a paying career, even if part time.

Our city zoo has a Wild Place project that is just getting going after the basic infrastructure was put in place outside of the city. They have WOLVES, and other large animals that are no longer appropriate to keep in the city zoo's confined space. I fell in love with the lemurs and they work right in their enclosure. The volunteers there are mostly of retirement age and if I had time, I would jump on this. But, I don't know if I would ever qualify to work with wolves LOL. I am doing a moderate amount of DGD minding with my DH which is how I discovered that place.

For myself (just presenting to show there are really interesting things out there in many fields), I am on my 3rd career as a graphic designer, though I only work part-time from home for the printer. I took that on at age 55 and am now coming up to 68. I have now moved on to 3D illustration (video tutoring). I am learning to create characters to use in children's books about early peoples. Once I have a Distance Learning credential in a related field (by end of summer I hope), the writing and illustrating begin in earnest! Certificates take less time and are less expensive than degree courses. Or you can take non-credit courses... they look good on a CV and can give you a good foundation.

If you have an idea in mind... Google those key words along with Distance Learning. There is a lot out there! My very first DL course was with Exeter University.

education.exeter.ac.uk/dll/

Good luck!

I started a business, could not think of doing anything else. I garden, bake, read a lot but the business has taken over completely. As my husband has been very ill in the past, this is my lifeline as well as a good earner.Wish I had done it years ago.

Actually, I think everyone should stop feeling guilty if you aren't busy every minute. Sometimes I have days when I don't to anything very much, but am learning to stop thinking of it as a wasted day.

I agree that stopping gradually is a good plan if you can do it. I went from full time teaching to three days and then two. I would probably have carried on a bit longer, but the school became an academy.

We moved too (twice) and that's been a challenge, to develop new interests and meet new people. I wouldn't say I've cracked that yet. I haven't found volunteering to be that easy either, but maybe my expectations are too high and you do have to consider the financial implications (well, I do.). One volunteer job cost me money, so I stopped.

we're "retiring" from one of our businesses at the end of this year ,simply because its the most stressful and my OH has already had a stress related heart attack,we have however been building up another business over 20 years to take its place and he loves working in and on it so it will keep him happy and occupied.He is the type of man who if he's had lazy day thinks its wasted time .So this is the ideal solution .I only work part time in both for now and look after GC a lot so I'm sorted for the forseeable future.Proper retirement doesn't appeal at all .I've seen too many people give up on life an die young soon after retiring.

I agree with Nannarose.
You don't know what the future holds don't make too many plans go with the flow. Good luck.

Sounds like you want to keep busy,which is great! Try any animal sanctuaries or rescue centres in your area for voluntary work-you can feel fulfilled and learn so much at the same time.There are also some good courses at local council centres-you could try a basic counselling course and then go on to do the qualification courses if you enjoy it.Hospitals usually have volunteers for visiting lonely patients,reading to them,doing crafts,etc..There are so many possibilities for voluntary work and you can get a taster of things before deciding if you would like to re-train in any particular field.
Have fun and good luck!

I've retrained as a Personal Development Coach. I plan to do some charged work and some pro bono (with young adult carers). I also work ad hoc as an Expert by Experience with Choice Support, helping the Care Quality Commission with getting patient, resident and relative views of the services they use. And I'm now applying for a role as a Lay Member with Health Education England and a role as Chair of a charity. I also do some voluntary work which involves training and once a week shift work. I think it's called a portfolio career! Oh, and I've joined U3A and do Tai Chi, a Current Affairs and Philosophy groups and fortnightly walks. I have complete control over the hours I actually work, but have some income of my own and hopefully am still doing some worthwhile things! I don't know if it would be the same for you but after seeing a financial advisor to try and understand the new pension regulations, I found I will be better off than I thought from my bits of pension pots from third sector work - when my state pension finally kicks in!

I retired one year ago from teaching and I have loved every moment of my year at home. I am on top of the garden - well nearly! - and I have made a start on the painting and decorating. I have done two and three day grandchild - sitting sessions when their Mum and Dad have been on awkward shifts.
I have started quilting again and been for lovely lunches with friends and relatives.
Currently doing a bit of part time work to help a headteacher friend but only three more weeks to go!
Relax about retirement and embrace it. It is a lovely time of your life if, as you say, you are young and fit enough to make the most of it.
How about a bit of home tutoring or train to counsel children, since you are used to working with them.
Good luck!

I don't miss work at all. I love my free days, doing a bit of housework, going for a walk, reading and crochet. I can fill my days quite easily. I discovered that our little town has a "knit and natter" group which meets in the library. I went today for the first time, and met a lovely group of ladies. I need to socialise! I've lived here for fourteen years and know only my next door neighbours, that is because I worked nightshift for several years before retiring. It took some getting used to sleeping at night. ?

My advice would be to see if you can reduce your paid working hours gradually..maybe work 2/3 days a week. That way you naturally fill the new 'free'space and it won't feel as 'empty' as an overnight change.

Why the need to be productive in the working sense? I think I'm productive. I still cook and clean ...well I have OCD but I also read, watch Jeremy Kyle (yes I know lol), listen to music, see my DDs and DGC, go out, stay in and generally go with the flow. Retirement isn't about waiting for death. It's about doing whatever you want to do.

Are you afraid of being bored? Honestly you won't be.

I have been retired since April. I'm only 64 and fairly fit. I can remember a few years before retirement chewing over what useful things I could do in my retirement. My sister intervened saying you've been doing useful work all your adult life. You can stop now and do somthing useful for yourself and Mr Morethan. I remember thinking she's right. All our plans for when he retires next year have evaporated really because of DiL illness. I'm needed here to help. I don't mind that's useful too. I was determined not to look back. None of that " oh on this day I'd be doing such n such if I was at work" I've holidayed, visited neglected relatives, still trying to sort out a neglected house.spent more time looking after me. Done much less ironing. I'm much less stressed. I'm enjoying it and what's more it's made me realise that perhaps I never really like going to work!

I have friends who house sit animals whilst their owners are away. They travel to other countries, stay in the owners house and hopefully enjoy the animald and see a different country. They have to pay their own travel expenses and are careful where they stay. You can also find people who just want to house sit their house.

Sounding out hospital volunteering or joining RVS was wrvs might help. See their website.

Set up a local gransnet group.

What ever you do be warned you are starting at the bottom again. Even in volunteering there is heirachy.

But as others say do some of the things you want to do, that isn't wasting time it is expanding your horizons.

Such a cheery post HeyHo! - and sounds like a good way of using my experience, I'll look into it! Actually, I always fancied the idea of being a private detective and I'm sure no-one would suspect a 'grannie'!

Hi, I am 69 this year, and still enjoying productive work - I love meeting people, and finding out things. You are IT trained and have en enquiring mind - why not become a self employed genealogist like me - people love having their family trees done, and you could work as and when the fancy takes you.

I don't like the heat, so I had a siesta after lunch today and now it's clouded over I am going to spend a couple of hours working... errr when I have finished this!! Oh, where is that cup of coffee ??

Enjoy your retirement whatever you decide...

At 65 you could have 30 years of useful life ahead of you. Obviously I know nothing about your state of health, but the first thing to think about is remaining healthy and well for as long as possible. The mantra for old age is 'use it or lose it' and I would start first with developing patterns of activities and habits aimed at keeping fit. By preference I am a walker and gardener, but others swim, go to the gym, run marathons. Find something you like and stick at it. That applies to keeping your weight down and eating a good healthy diet.

The mantra applies to the mind as well. I am never an enthusiast for deciding too far ahead exactly what line your life will follow. It can limit your horizons and you miss opportunities you would enjoy that you have never thought of.

I took into a retirement a leisure pursuit I had had for years and now had time to devote to it. A chance advert in the parish magazine took me into a line of voluntary work I had never considered and which I enjoyed and have had considerably success.

Keep an open mind and a wandering eye to pick up opportunities you see mentioned by friends, print media or online and if something tickles your fancy, enquire further.

I retired 4 years ago at the age of 62, I love it, plenty to do, lots of hobbies. My DH retired at 65 the same year, it's been great, we go out together but at home do our own thing.