Retirement

Jillybird, that makes two of us. My first retirement came when I was 61, it lasted 18 months. At 64 I tried again, it didn't even last a year second time. Now I'm 74, still working, all through lockdown, (part of the economy deemed essential,) work is like having a hobby, it's just that I happen to get paid for it. Each to their own, am I sad? Probably, am I happy? Definitely.

Dear Haweral. I get the odd flare ups but it is under control. Before I had my knees and ankle fixed I limped for years now Im limp free!! I do get very tired and I think my hip is playing up a bit but my R A is managable. I was diagnosed about 20 years ago. Im sorry your R A is not good I know im quite lucky with my ops the NHS was great for me and my tablets I take Methotrixate works wonders. People say im very strong to keep working but it is out of necessity rather than wanting to work.
It is time for me to retire I know that I dont really like my job anymore as well and to be honest apart from the social part I will not miss it at all. ?

Yes, I think it is completely normal to worry both about whether you will be able to manage money-wise on your pension and about what you will find to do.

Most of us find plenty to do.

I find it enjoyable to really have time to do housework, which I have always liked, bake, make jam etc.

I also volunteer at the local museum, have time to go for walks and DH and I go out on our bikes.

When you retire, take up a hobby, or take up one of the ones you haven't had time for while you worked.

Do the things you didn't have time for generally speaking.

You will come to enjoy have plenty of time, I should think, but if you don't there are plenty of voluntary jobs to consider.

I retired almost five years ago, my DH retired at the same time - I was hoping to have at least a couple of years of 'me' time but not to be. Still waiting for me time, have been looking after elderly relatives and a DH with deteriorating health issues since I retired. Glad not to have the pressures of running a business now but still waiting for my retirement to start before it is too late!

Have you ever noticed how retired men lose that urgency that goes with working? Work, by it's very nature, has a relationship with time, and it's time that creates the urgency.

Not being a slave to the clock men tend to do things that impede others. They will stand in a small huddle on the threshold of the supermarket door and hold a little meeting, oblivious to the annoyance of shoppers. They will visit the recycle centre to get rid of a car full of rubbish, right in the middle of the morning or evening peak period.

It's a gift they have got and it comes with retirement. The ladies don't do it, but then they hardly retire, even if there's no income. The home would look like that recycle centre if the ladies fully retired.

Think I'll go on working, I like having a tidy home.