On the whole, yes, I like being retired. This last 18 months has curtailed a lot of what I was involved with (as it will have for everyone of course), but I also enjoy just pottering, too, doing things as and when.
I’m sure this is true of us all, but there are times when I could climb the walls, but this was the case when I worked, too, so I can’t say retirement is responsible for those feelings when they sneak up!
I certainly don’t miss the early start, the late finishes, the commute, being out in foul weather, attending endless meetings (many of which weren’t necessary for everyone to attend, but we had to), the stress, the time constraints etc. In fact, I don’t miss the work at all, if I’m truthful, and I also don’t feel the need to substitute paid work with voluntary work which would require set commitments on me that I don’t feel I could give. Helping out with various things as and when I can is a different matter, and I’m very happy to do so, but joining committees/volunteering and committing myself to a set timetable of things to be done within a timeframe is a big no - I did enough of that whilst in paid employment.
I think, though, that some of us settle to retirement more happily than others. The change from a structured day to one with less structure can be difficult for some to adjust to and can mean that unless they can find something to fill their days outside the home they feel a loss of purpose and regret retiring.
Others, of course, struggle with the reduced income, especially if they have only the state pension and some benefits (if they can have them) to manage on. Retirement must be very hard in those situations and not enjoyable.
? midgey
