Retirement: is it all it's cracked up to be?

Retirement is like most things- providing you have good health- it is what you make of it.

But truly, at your age I feel it is unhealthy to dream and fantasize about retirement. If you are unhappy in your job- you need to do something about it NOW- be it finding another job, re-train or study 8many of use did that in the evenings or in our free time, etc). 15 years is just too long to accept that you are stuck in a job you hate. Bonne chance- be brave x

For some people it doesn't annodomino. For some it's a struggle.

Retirement gives you choices. You can put your feet up and read books all day or you can take on a voluntary role of which there are many available. You could serve in a charity shop; read with children in primary school; become an adviser with CAB. You can take holidays when you like or not. Join the U3A. Oh and of course there will probably be grandchildren!

If you don't like your job, are you looking for another? I began to hate my job and managed to get a new one when I was 56. I was happy with my new job and was there for eight years.
In answer to the original question - yes retirement is great but you do need hobbies so that you don't get bored.
I belong to a knitting group and we knit for various charities, I volunteer in a charity shop and of course I am now a lady who lunches. My OH bowls and this keeps him busy.
Separate hobbies are good.

It's great. It takes a while to get out of the work/ time structure and build another structure to your life , but think of it like having loads of choices ( like a student) and doing what you fancy. Trying different things, going on holiday, getting things in your home sorted, and once you've got rid of the kids...guess what! Grandchildren come along and a whole new world along with it.

Retirement can be summed up in one word - FANTASTIC. If I 'd known it was going to be this much fun I'd have done it years ago.