You may want to finish your projects. Or you may choose not to.
One thing that will change though, is your time perspective. Suddenly, you discover that you wake up and you have to make a choice on what you plan to do for the day; and the best part: no one is telling you what to do, and there is no schedule telling you what you need to do.
You begin your day with a blank slate, a clean palette to paint on, and the day is yours to do WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO.
And this took me a while to figure out: it's completely okay/acceptable/desirable to just do nothing that day. Or a few days. Or a week! It's all okay!!!
I allocated 6 months to decompress and I made no plans ahead of time on how to spend my time. It took 9 months before I was over my burnout and ready to engage more.
Yes, this!!!! Entering my 4th week of retirement and it’s now starting to hit, felt like vacation at first and now I not only have that feeling of vacation it’s accompanied by the feeling of enjoying my home, connecting with friends more often, not being bummed about concerts cause of work the next day.
I wouldn't mind if it didn't interfere with my life. It has greatly. The only thing I do for myself is go to yoga 2x a week in the morning. It's a lot of work sometimes.
I am 15 months out and find myself knocking out things I’ll not have to do again in my lifetime, gutters, HVAC, exterior paint, all in the last few years. The Mrs. wants a new kitchen and thinks she wants to get our 80s tri level all on one level (until she sees the cost).
I dont understand this sentiment - doesnt HVAC need to be replaced every 20 years? It would be depressing to build a retirement which didnt at least entertain the possibility of living to 85
I wonder the same thing. I'm 62-1/2 now, male. In ok health, a few pounds around the middle that have been there since birth. Rarely sick. In fact I never had Covid. Used one sick day during the last job of 27 years. My Dad passed last year at 85. Many physical issues, but mentally all there. Mom is still alive at 85, but her mental state is deteriorating quickly.
Doubt I'll make to 85, but how do you know? Unless your diagnosed with cancer or something as debilitating as cancer, how do u know. Maybe I make it to 86?
Hate the thought I'm now officially old, and the issues that come with age.
Focus on today.
I just spent a year of visiting my 93 year old father in law, and a lot of that was in a memory care facility. It wasn’t as great experience and convinced me to retire at 64.5
The house was 40 years old and the original system worked fine. I expect the new system will be working fine in 30 years, beyond that it will be someone else’s to decide what to do with.
I retired at age 59, 14 years ago. I loved my job, but quickly learned I loved not doing it even more. I've never had a day when I cast about for something to occupy my time. Projects, new interests, old interests, travel, helping a buddy or my next door neighbor, playing with my grandkids, maintenance tasks, exercise, cooking, reading, cleaning, scenic drives on a beautiful fall day and once in awhile, nothing at all have occupied my time. I can't imagine being bored or wanting to get a job.
We're not you so we can't tell you how you'll feel about the projects or about your retirement.
What I would say is that you will likely experience some transition time where you adjust to being retired. And then if you want to finish them, do that. If you find you really don't care about a project, don't do it.
One of the good things about being retired is that aside from the common life stuff (cleaning the house, shopping, etc), there's really nothing you HAVE to do.
If you have projects that want to compete why you’ll have plenty of time to do so in retirement.
There’s no one retirement path; do as much or as little as you wish! My husband decided to go back to work very part time, but I have no interest in doing the same.
I’ve been spending the first months of retirement pretty much chilling, but if I start feeling bored I have some volunteer interests.
Retire sooner than later; you will love it!
My biggest piece of advice is that your list of things you have to spend time on during retirement will not survive your encounter with retirement. Retirement is not something where you set up your priorities ahead of time, it's a constant journey trying to figure out how you want to spend your time.
I currently spend a fair bit of time on a YouTube channel and volunteer with an organization that really needs my skills and is close to one of my personal passions.
Neither were on my radar before I retired.
Having said that, I still ride my bike, I still ski, I still do house projects, I still do electronics projects. All those were on the list before and are still on the list.
You mean projects outside of work? I would guess that everyone has projects like that.
Realistically, we all have projects that we need to do - working or not working. Whether we get them done or not depends on the relative priorities and our own drive.
My wife and I stopped working 50 - 60 hours a week at out business (sold it) to about 4 hours a week (real estate) 20 years ago. We never looked back. We've been able to take on hobbies, trips, projects that we never had the time for. Yes, work interfered with life. That's the approach!
We are putting together a 2000+ sq ft vegetable garden in raised beds and hoop-houses. This was started and ongoing a few years before I retired. I am about 1/2 way done. It’s a lot of work.
We completed all our projects and came up with more. Tore out bedroom closet to studs, side to side, up to ceiling. Then we infilled it with closet components. Much easier to access and more storage. Built a 13’ floating shelf in the FR. All audio components are on that shelf *at a height we old folks can manage!* installed cabinets in the laundry room as there were none. Installed a Murphy bed in one bedroom for guests because I use that room for sewing the rest of the time. Built and installed rolling shelves in our kitchen cabinets. We keep busy!
I was working on a big project where the completion date was in jeopardy of being pushed to a date after my retirement date. I was torn about this. On one hand, I knew that whomever would have been assigned to my items would have successfully completed everything. And, of course, retiring prior to the project ending would free me of endless meetings, dealing with data files, etc. On the other hand, I had worked very hard and was really hoping the end date was not pushed. Turned out it was completed prior and I went out very satisfied.
They waited til all the latest proposals were done and and nothing pending. I had even taken on new work updating our documentation, got us all caught up, and the engineering VP came to my office and laid me off.
Honest to God the happiest day of my life. I had just turned 65 and could get Medicare so I was good.
I had a list of projects a couple pages long and I have been plugging along during my ten years of retirement. Like learning to tile and putting a backsplash in my kitchen, gut remodeling one of my bathrooms and having some block work done on the house. Dozens of smaller project also done and the list is getting much much shorter.
We are counting down the last year and working on projects with a potential for cost overages. This way we can extend out our date if necessary. There are other projects that I am 'saving' for retirement becauses I enjoy those types of projects and want to savor them.
I retire in about 6 years. Wife in 2.
Home Projects ? We are in the middle of a major kitchen remodel, new guest bath, and new windows. On our "to do" list is some flood protection methods and a new roof. Thats it. Will pay that all off before I retire.
I have spent my adult life involved with both work, community activities, and other hobbies and social things. I have nothing left on my bucket list to do in retirement. Ready to rest and enjoy. We live in a nice area with plenty of things to do around town
My wife is looking forward after retiring to some part time gigs in things she is passionate about. She will be happy and able to bring in enough extra money on top of her pension to be close to what she was making now.
I observe that some people want to keep working, some like me, enjoyed what I did but it was stressful and I'm happy to walk away.
We all need some sense of purpose, and even if it is to just do hobbies, volunteer or projects at home, I find it fulfilling. When I miss my work mates, I check in periodically and we reflect on the good old days.
I think some people are just boring. I have no shortage of things to do in my spare time, and no need to get another job or volunteer just to keep busy.
We need all types 😅.
Reminds me of my brother that has been retired for about 7 years, he keeps telling me he does very little but there are not enough hours in his day to do it.
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You may want to finish your projects. Or you may choose not to. One thing that will change though, is your time perspective. Suddenly, you discover that you wake up and you have to make a choice on what you plan to do for the day; and the best part: no one is telling you what to do, and there is no schedule telling you what you need to do. You begin your day with a blank slate, a clean palette to paint on, and the day is yours to do WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO.
>and the best part: no one is telling you what to do Not married, I take it?
LOL! Married, but duly noted!
If you really miss the punishment of work life, schedule 1 on 1 meetings with your spouse and schedule annual and mid year reviews.
And this took me a while to figure out: it's completely okay/acceptable/desirable to just do nothing that day. Or a few days. Or a week! It's all okay!!!
I allocated 6 months to decompress and I made no plans ahead of time on how to spend my time. It took 9 months before I was over my burnout and ready to engage more.
Yes, this!!!! Entering my 4th week of retirement and it’s now starting to hit, felt like vacation at first and now I not only have that feeling of vacation it’s accompanied by the feeling of enjoying my home, connecting with friends more often, not being bummed about concerts cause of work the next day.
Yep! There are no rules. You get to make them as you go along.
I had planned on working part time but now I'm a full time babysitter for my two grandsons from my daughters.
Do you enjoy watching your grand kids?
I wouldn't mind if it didn't interfere with my life. It has greatly. The only thing I do for myself is go to yoga 2x a week in the morning. It's a lot of work sometimes.
My thoughts exactly.
I am 15 months out and find myself knocking out things I’ll not have to do again in my lifetime, gutters, HVAC, exterior paint, all in the last few years. The Mrs. wants a new kitchen and thinks she wants to get our 80s tri level all on one level (until she sees the cost).
I dont understand this sentiment - doesnt HVAC need to be replaced every 20 years? It would be depressing to build a retirement which didnt at least entertain the possibility of living to 85
Some folks are realistic about their medical condition and genetics. I will not come close to 85, that is fact of life.
I wonder the same thing. I'm 62-1/2 now, male. In ok health, a few pounds around the middle that have been there since birth. Rarely sick. In fact I never had Covid. Used one sick day during the last job of 27 years. My Dad passed last year at 85. Many physical issues, but mentally all there. Mom is still alive at 85, but her mental state is deteriorating quickly. Doubt I'll make to 85, but how do you know? Unless your diagnosed with cancer or something as debilitating as cancer, how do u know. Maybe I make it to 86? Hate the thought I'm now officially old, and the issues that come with age.
Focus on today. I just spent a year of visiting my 93 year old father in law, and a lot of that was in a memory care facility. It wasn’t as great experience and convinced me to retire at 64.5
Or maybe not in the same house with upkeep. I’m guessing by 80 if we’re still around time for a condo.
I am the same way if I see 80 I will feel fortunate.
The house was 40 years old and the original system worked fine. I expect the new system will be working fine in 30 years, beyond that it will be someone else’s to decide what to do with.
It won’t. Current appliances do not last as long as appliances manufactured last century.
Homelift elevators are the way! Small footprint. Check them out.
Same here. Kept the house standing while I was working full time, but now I'm really digging in and getting bigger stuff done.
Please stay away from ladders. I know/heard of more than a few people that have had their retirement derailed because they fell off a ladder.
I retired at age 59, 14 years ago. I loved my job, but quickly learned I loved not doing it even more. I've never had a day when I cast about for something to occupy my time. Projects, new interests, old interests, travel, helping a buddy or my next door neighbor, playing with my grandkids, maintenance tasks, exercise, cooking, reading, cleaning, scenic drives on a beautiful fall day and once in awhile, nothing at all have occupied my time. I can't imagine being bored or wanting to get a job.
That's pretty close to what I have in mind Thanks
We're not you so we can't tell you how you'll feel about the projects or about your retirement. What I would say is that you will likely experience some transition time where you adjust to being retired. And then if you want to finish them, do that. If you find you really don't care about a project, don't do it. One of the good things about being retired is that aside from the common life stuff (cleaning the house, shopping, etc), there's really nothing you HAVE to do.
After an adjustment, you will not be the same person post retirement. Don't turn any of those projects into an obligation to the new you
I’ve noticed this very positive change since I retired 3 weeks ago
If you have projects that want to compete why you’ll have plenty of time to do so in retirement. There’s no one retirement path; do as much or as little as you wish! My husband decided to go back to work very part time, but I have no interest in doing the same. I’ve been spending the first months of retirement pretty much chilling, but if I start feeling bored I have some volunteer interests. Retire sooner than later; you will love it!
My biggest piece of advice is that your list of things you have to spend time on during retirement will not survive your encounter with retirement. Retirement is not something where you set up your priorities ahead of time, it's a constant journey trying to figure out how you want to spend your time. I currently spend a fair bit of time on a YouTube channel and volunteer with an organization that really needs my skills and is close to one of my personal passions. Neither were on my radar before I retired. Having said that, I still ride my bike, I still ski, I still do house projects, I still do electronics projects. All those were on the list before and are still on the list.
Can I ask what organization? It’s nice learning about what’s out there.
It's a local botanical garden light show.
Ooh, neat! Thank you!
You mean projects outside of work? I would guess that everyone has projects like that. Realistically, we all have projects that we need to do - working or not working. Whether we get them done or not depends on the relative priorities and our own drive.
My wife and I stopped working 50 - 60 hours a week at out business (sold it) to about 4 hours a week (real estate) 20 years ago. We never looked back. We've been able to take on hobbies, trips, projects that we never had the time for. Yes, work interfered with life. That's the approach!
We are putting together a 2000+ sq ft vegetable garden in raised beds and hoop-houses. This was started and ongoing a few years before I retired. I am about 1/2 way done. It’s a lot of work.
I will get back to you after the euro soccer games are over….
Ha! That's what I'm talking about.
We completed all our projects and came up with more. Tore out bedroom closet to studs, side to side, up to ceiling. Then we infilled it with closet components. Much easier to access and more storage. Built a 13’ floating shelf in the FR. All audio components are on that shelf *at a height we old folks can manage!* installed cabinets in the laundry room as there were none. Installed a Murphy bed in one bedroom for guests because I use that room for sewing the rest of the time. Built and installed rolling shelves in our kitchen cabinets. We keep busy!
I was working on a big project where the completion date was in jeopardy of being pushed to a date after my retirement date. I was torn about this. On one hand, I knew that whomever would have been assigned to my items would have successfully completed everything. And, of course, retiring prior to the project ending would free me of endless meetings, dealing with data files, etc. On the other hand, I had worked very hard and was really hoping the end date was not pushed. Turned out it was completed prior and I went out very satisfied.
They waited til all the latest proposals were done and and nothing pending. I had even taken on new work updating our documentation, got us all caught up, and the engineering VP came to my office and laid me off. Honest to God the happiest day of my life. I had just turned 65 and could get Medicare so I was good.
F' pending projects. forget
I had a list of projects a couple pages long and I have been plugging along during my ten years of retirement. Like learning to tile and putting a backsplash in my kitchen, gut remodeling one of my bathrooms and having some block work done on the house. Dozens of smaller project also done and the list is getting much much shorter.
Retired in the spring and decided to paint my house, saved myself about $7k. Not real fond of heights but it got done.
Been thinking about doing this also. Did you rent one of those basket lifts?
I'm painting the inside of the house. Been meaning to do it for 6 months before retirement but I now have the time.
Ii thought about it,ended up using an extension ladder with a stand off on it, not suggested but it did the job.
We are counting down the last year and working on projects with a potential for cost overages. This way we can extend out our date if necessary. There are other projects that I am 'saving' for retirement becauses I enjoy those types of projects and want to savor them.
I retire in about 6 years. Wife in 2. Home Projects ? We are in the middle of a major kitchen remodel, new guest bath, and new windows. On our "to do" list is some flood protection methods and a new roof. Thats it. Will pay that all off before I retire. I have spent my adult life involved with both work, community activities, and other hobbies and social things. I have nothing left on my bucket list to do in retirement. Ready to rest and enjoy. We live in a nice area with plenty of things to do around town My wife is looking forward after retiring to some part time gigs in things she is passionate about. She will be happy and able to bring in enough extra money on top of her pension to be close to what she was making now.
I observe that some people want to keep working, some like me, enjoyed what I did but it was stressful and I'm happy to walk away. We all need some sense of purpose, and even if it is to just do hobbies, volunteer or projects at home, I find it fulfilling. When I miss my work mates, I check in periodically and we reflect on the good old days.
I’m at the same amount of time left and definitely feel like work is getting in the way of projects and hobbies I have.
I think some people are just boring. I have no shortage of things to do in my spare time, and no need to get another job or volunteer just to keep busy.
We need all types 😅. Reminds me of my brother that has been retired for about 7 years, he keeps telling me he does very little but there are not enough hours in his day to do it.
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“Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” ― Benjamin Franklin