Retirement

My parents are retired for a long time. I remember the first year. It was terrible for them. There was also depression. My father was looking for some part-time jobs. Then their health began to deteriorate. I found American home care specialists from All American Home Care myallamericancare.com/team/ for that there would be help on them. And I feel better. My parents live in Philadelphia, and I'm in Boston.

There’s lots of advice up thread. My tip would be not to look back. I knew retirement was a big life change, as big as getting married or having a baby. I never think if I was at work on this day I’d be doing so and so. I do occasionally meet up with people I was friendly with and had become friends with out of work but I’ve never been back to visit. If I feel myself having any regrets I force myself to remember just how stressful it was. In the past I’ve wasted a lot of time and emotions having regrets. Enough of that, there isn’t the time any more. I know I’m lucky I have a husband still working and I’m busy helping family. I hope you enjoy your retirement these could be the best years of your life don’t waste them. Good luck and let us know.

I volunteer at a local steam railway, and am having the best time of my life! Lots of different jobs to do, so I'm never bored with it, and loads of new friends. They even let me have a 'go' on the engines occasionally. If you have one nearby, give it a try!

Take it easy for as long as you need.
Try lots of things to decide what you want to do.
I tryed WI and U3A but not for me.
I volunteer which i love.Joined a knit and natter group(Cannot knit but make the tea and natter)
I contacted old friends.Lots of Afternoon Teas.
Go to The Cinema & Theatre.Look after Grandkids.
There are walking Groups.Dancing.Wine Tasting.Try everything and then decide what you want to do.Most of all takee it easy and enjoy.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

They say it takes two years to settle into retirement. I retired four years ago, almost immediately my elderly parents needed more help, as they live over 100 miles away this took up quite a lot of my time. Sadly I lost my Dad in April but my Mom moved into a care home nearer to me so I feel that my retirement is about to start. You will find that you fill your time easily. It is true that you will wonder how you found time to go to work. Give yourself time and do whatever you want to do. Enjoy.

KatyK
It's all very laudable but with certain sectors of voluntary services there have to be enhanced DBS checks for which you often have to pay and can take weeks, if not months to be provided.

We joined a house/pet sitting agency when I retired and use it probably 10 times per year for periods of 1 to 3 weeks. It’s international and we have looked after a cat in Sydney and a dog in Melbourne. Mostly we housesit in the UK and have done housesits as far as Lochness in Scotland and Falmouth in Cornwall. All it costs us is our petrol money or train fare. The dogs keep you fit with their walks but if that’s not for you go for a cat sit. We love using our NT cards in other parts of the country and exploring new places without having to pay for accommodation. We’ve stayed in some wonderful houses and met lovely people. Every day is an adventure. If you’re on your own don’t worry as some homeowners prefer single lady sitters especially if they have a cat. We often get asked to go back to sits we’ve already been to. You can do as many sits as you like there’s no pressure.

Have your second childhood and do what you want. At work, I imagined that I'd do all the things I'd put off due to lack of time. That didn't happen (due to lack of interest)!

Disneyfan - I think you'll find plenty to do. Personally I initially took a part time job but had to stop because I became guardian of one of our grandchildren. I am a volunteer for three organisations (Hospice, visitor for an blind elderly lady and Scouts - I did used to help children with their reading at our local school but stopped when grandson moved up from primary school). I would advise (if it's your thing) to get out in the fresh air when you can - for me its walking and gardening. Also keeping fit - I do Pilates and Yoga. I wish I could follow your 'downsizing' idea, but my hubby would not agree at all.
Most of all - enjoy your retirement. Good luck and hope it all works out well for you.

I am 65 - and fear retirement (even the word!) just seems like endless days to fill ...I’ve cut back to 2 days, hanging on scared to give up! ....but this thread has been very uplifting and enlightening ..so maybe it’s not as bad as I imagine

In response to KatyK...I still work as a teaching assistant in a school and we are so grateful for our reading volunteers and the children love having 1:1 time with another adult . For some children they don't have contact with grandparents so love having a friendly (I hate saying it) "older" adult to read/talk to. Hope its something you feel able to do even if its just an hour a week. Good luck whatever you decide .

I've been retired 3 years now and find plenty to do. I wouldn't want to be at work full time again! I am learning a language, having swimming lessons, looking after my grandkids, meeting up with friends.walking, invigilating at a local school and when I have time relaxing. When I first retired I also joined U3a, volunteered at a school and went to a keep fit class. I suggest you just spend a bit of time thinking about what you enjoy then just trying different things out. The good thing about returement is you are in charge, do as little or as much as you want to.
Enjoy your retirement!

I like being retired. It felt odd to start with, but now I wonder how I managed to work before. I’ve joined a walking group and help a charity. It’s lovely at weekends I don’t spend all my time cleaning, as I have all week.

Congratulations. I love retirement. Enjoy.
It will be what you makeit. Take your time deciding what to get involved in. Stock answer for the what do you do all day question. "Ive never been busier, always something to do, dont know how l worked full time"

I worked on until I was 74 as I absolutely dreaded retirement and I loved what I did. Wrong. This new(ish) life is bliss. I do exactly what I want when I want and love it. Happily I do not have Rolls Royce tastes so have not been impaired by finance. I have time to socialise regularly with friends I had previously squeezed in at weekends and evenings. I'm also very grateful to have pretty good general health and that makes the greatest difference of all in my opinion. There are activities galore in my town. Would I had more time to fit some of them in. Life is indeed good for me at the moment.

Try lots of different activities before you commit to anything.

Enjoy

I worked in a very stressful job in the NHS, changed to 4 long days two years before retirement, then 3 days so part time for the last year. I had worried about it affecting my pension but really it didn't that much and I knew I couldn't last doing the hours I was. I love retirement and am very busy now doing things I want to do. Time is so precious. I didn't want to work until I dropped.

The good advice given to me was - 'Give yourself three months before you make any decisions at all.' Regard it as an extended holiday; catch up on all those small things you meant to do, have a manicure, get your hair done, read those books, lie in if you like to do that, potter about the house and garden, and have lots of peaceful 'me' time. When you are thoroughly relaxed and work has faded slightly, that is the time to look around and see what this exciting new world holds for you. I do three different volunteering 'things' which make me very happy , and I couldn't be persuaded back to work for a hundred times the salary. Complete freedom - it is just so wonderful. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do. x

I tried many things before settling on dance and fit classes, Italian and art. Pilates and other things didn’t suit, but a lot depends on the other people there, and I have lots of new friends too.

Time to do, what ever, not having to be up at five to carry out a twelve hour shift you can stay in bed all day watch tv all day etc etc so what the ? is the problem.

For me the best thing about retirement was not having to wake up to an alarm. I actually got ill health retirement so was already used to not working every day, but I still felt as though I was on holiday for about six months.
I did go through a period of feeling of no use and having no place in society, but that wore off as other friends retired and my husband retired and I found a new social life. And now our lives are full somehow, I think we've just got used to doing everything slower!

Disneyfan I have pm’d you.

Good luck in your retirement.

Well I retired end of 2015...with my hubby....but he decided to grab his wings very suddenly and go heavenwards mid 2017.
So huge changes in a very short time.
What to do.....when I started to gather myself together....
I volunteer with two charities as a fundraiser.....not just shaking buckets?...with one we reach out to elderly folk who live alone....have a cuppa and a chat and form a friendship....good for both of us? EVERGREEN is the charity...and with the other we raise funds for lifesaving emergency care ...living in a rural area its essential and minutes count.....over 20,000 responses in 2018 made by LIVES Lincolnshire and I am sure that number has risen in 2019.
I am really proud to be associated with both of them.......its good to be able to give something back to the community I live in.
Hope the suggestions are of help.

I worried a bit before retiring 18 months ago. I made a list of things that I felt full time work for 40 years had prevented me from achieving. Since then I have found Duolingo - a free language app that I love, Pianomarvel, comprehensive online piano lessons that are linked to your piano or keyboard and I think are brilliant. This can also be accessed for free but I now pay about £100 a year for added content. I have also been learning several computer languages on Codecademy. Again this can be free but I pay for additional testing etc. - £150 per year. I have also taken up Flamenco dancing - that was a surprise - never attended a dance class in my life. I am a slow learner these days but I am really enjoying these activities that I can do at my own pace and I am pleased with my progress.
I am also seeing friends and family regularly and do intend to volounteer when family commitments subside but thought I would share some of the activities that are cheap and available to anyone with internet access (well not the Flamenco :-)).
I do hope you enjoy your retirement.