Any advice for the about-to-be retired?
 

Hi quilt buddies,
I have about 46 more school days before I officially retire. Any advice - quilt related or not - is welcomed. We will have our house on the market (fingers crossed for that venture) and won't be settled into our condo in Florida until the fall. I anticipate noticing more changes in the fall when I would regularly go back to school than in the summer.
But, I would welcome any suggestions. (I am so looking forward to more quilting/creating time).
Thanks!
lots2do

No advice...just say welcome. I retired 8 years ago from teaching...counted down every day that year! Recently moved to Oklahoma...love every minute!

congrats on your retirement. since you are moving to a new area and may want to 'explore' the area, i would suggest volunteering for things like meals on wheels or transporting to medical appointments. i've met some great people that way and you learn how to get around your new town.

I left a job I loved and worried about retirement. That lasted about a minute. You will know what you want to do - if you get bored you can explore your surroundings. All I knew was that I was going to the gym 3 mornings a week and then I branched out made a few new friends and still left enough time for myself. I mainly do what I want with no pressure on myself. I think you will see how it goes and plan accordingly. Some people will quilt all day long - some will be outside in the fresh air and there are many options in between. So go with the flow and enjoy!!!!

Do what makes you happy!

Enjoy your retirement!! I have been retired almost 8 years now and am loving every minute of it!! Take some time to explore what you want to do. I had so many things I wanted to do that i overcommitted myself the first year---mainly with community volunteer activities. Eventually I got better at saying "no" and pared it down to a schedule I enjoy without overdoing it. Allow yourself to enjoy "piddling" as I call it---sitting in my Jammie's at 10am reading the paper is OK!!! Keep up some socializing with friends, don't let yourself get isolated and lonely. My husband never made the effort to make guy friends and rarely leaves the house. I have made lots of suggestions of things for him to do, but he seems to prefer staying home, but I also think he gets lonely especially when I travel. I don't think that is particularly healthy.
Also get a good handle on your finances and get comfortable with responsibly drawing down and living on your retirement income and savings. We worked hard and always had the "save" mentality---it was harder than I thought to get comfortable with spending savings now. Also, if you haven't already, get all your affairs in order---wills, advance medical directives, power of attorney, etc---you never know when the need for those will arise.
Have fun!!!

Well, the first thing I did when I retired was sort my button box. I guess I needed something easy and mind numbing to recover from my stress filled job. Then over the first year I 'tried out' many different groups, without committing myself to anything. Now, 5 years later, I have a nice balance of things I do. I have two weekly commitments that I try very hard not to miss - too much fun. I also have a few once a month commitments. This seems to be a nice balance for me of social time, solitary time, time with family, etc.

I think it really helped me to try things out that first year, without making any long term commitments to any group, so that I could leave the group gracefully.

Don`t worry about it. If you are like most of us on this board, I`ll bet you have some quilting projects , maybe a little yarn, needle point, embroidery work, I just made a picture of beads, I crochet a lot, this winter I made 40 neck scarves to give to homeless shelters ( not a good idea for Florida) I still have yarn left, so I made 2 afghans also for shelters, I still had yarn left, so I made large double thick hot pads to use to set large hot kettles & dishes on. I made baby quilts from pastel scraps, they go to our Golden house, In a few days a man `s family is giving him a benefit, because he has cancer, and can`t keep up with bills, so I give what I can in most of the above items mentioned. I`m sure you will find an out let for any of these things. Also do not forget, you were a Teacher and you could help some one with a learning disability, people who need better under standing of our language to fill out papers. Man I would like to live where it`s warm, but just can`t leave the snow birds, kids, grand kids, great grand kids & friends I`ve had since first grade.

Take it a day at a time and enjoy each to it's fullest. Like Jeanne S stated though make sure you have all your affairs in order. Then move on and enjoy. Congratulations!!

I will be retired 6 years this Sept. I find I am so busy I wonder how I ever managed working! I am never bored but that is my personality. I can always find something to do. I totally agree with Jeanne S. Make sure all of your affairs are in order and don't over do on volunteering. Just relax and enjoy life. I am pretty frugal and spending is a bit frightening but I am learning to stop worrying so much about the "what ifs". Being a widow makes it a bit harder because I don't have someone to discuss large purchases. I would suggest you get up every day and get dressed and go out sometime during the day. Make new friends but keep the old ones close. Nothing in this world beats girlfriends. I moved to Illinois from NJ to be closer to my grandchildren. It has been a good move for me though finding friends was at first pretty hard. Now I belong to a quilt group, a hand quilting group, volunteer at the library and do lunch with my friends. I found that if I just went about the business of enjoying my life I would run into people that enjoyed the same things. It worked for me!

I agree. Enjoy your retirement. If you want to, volunteer a couple of days a week with doing what you would enjoy.

Just be prepared to wonder where the time goes. I am busier now than when I worked. Do the things you enjoy, not because you have always done it one way. Welcome to the Club of Pro-cast-n-8ters.

Never say no to someone who wants to go to lunch!

Welcome to retirement. You will learn to sleep late (if you want) and not feel guilty:).

Congratulations on your retirement! I have loved every moment of mine. I did think about what gadgets I might want and bought them while still working.

I will be joining you at the end of June. I have been putting aside some projects to work on when retirement comes but some things have happened in the last 6 months that have thrown that into a tizzy. My older son got engaged in Nov, one of my nieces got engaged in Dec, my younger son got engaged last week and My one married niece just texted us that she is pregnant. I better get busy on quilts.

In a few months you'll wonder how you ever found time to go to work!
I wanted to be retired so I quit my job the next day after the last child graduated college. LOL. DH will retire next year and we are looking for our new home. We don't want to stay in the area we are in now. I'm looking forward to a new place.

One of the things I did was to join ancestry.com (no afiliation). I have enjoyed hundred of hours researching my family tree. I found a civil war soldier relative who kept a journal for 1 year during his tour of duty - the original is housed at the University of Vermont, and I have a transcript of it. I "met" a lady in New Hampshire - our great grandmothers were sisters. I was contacted by a man in France who had a dog tag with my uncle's name on it. Both these people found me though my public family tree. I just wish I had asked more questions of my grandparents when they were alive.

Buy everything you need...new sewing machine, fabric, thread, rulers....because after you retire it is harder to find the funds for these extra things....not impossible but more difficult. I added to my stash before I retired and bought two Bernina machines. I would like an upgraded Bernina with a larger throat but unfortunately cannot find the funds for it..such is life...when you have money no time...when you have time no money.

All good ideas, but let me add that when you move to FL, there is a different mentality (at least in this FL town). The volunteer issue is huge! So prepare yourself. There is peer pressure no matter what age! Many, many places here depend on volunteers, and bless them for giving their time. Just be ready to be 'called upon' and have your answer ready.

I retired almost 15 years ago. I do not know when I found time to work. I have been really enjoying retirement and quilting too. My advise is don't do too much. That is don't commit yourself to too many things. Your time will be theirs not yours. I don't mean not to do any volunteering or things with family. Just pick and choose. And always remember to have time for you and your family. The best time is now. Enjoy

Join a gym, if you don't belong already, and go EVERY day that you possibly can. I was a member but didn't go regularly and ended up with sciatica. Quilting is fun but the repetitive motions involved can be really hard on your back and hips. After about six months of severe pain, I finally went to the doctor, got a good dose of steroids, some physical therapy and relief. While I was feeling good, I went back to the gym, signed up with a personal trainer, and got active and serious about exercise and diet. It's been a year. . . I look and feel so much better and can enjoy my sewing much more than before.

It doesn't have to be a gym, but some physical activity every day is very helpful.

Enjoy your retirement. I retired a couple of years ago from the Corporate rat race and I've never looked back!

I retired many years ago and we moved - not close to any relatives. We're "scattered" all over USA and in the event of a death, it's a long way back. Sorry, but I enjoyed family quite a bit and we do correspond by internet e-mail, but it just isn't the same. I saw a letter to Dear Abby(?) years ago where they had moved to her husband's retirement dream area and when he died - she was "stuck" there. She joined church, etc. to meet people, but they were pretty much family oriented and she hadn't made any close friends. Just a thought - don't move too far from relatives; it makes travel time very difficult.
Dodee

After you are settled, make yourself get out. I would be a hermit if I could LOL. I volunteer at least one day a week and thinking about adding another. You could say, I am NOT a joiner.

I finished my DROP (FL deferred retirement option) the end of February. Hated leaving the kids in mid year BUT other than that glad to get out!! I haven't had a moment to spare. I finished several UFO's, painted 2 rooms and a hallway, cleared out a bunch of clutter, cleaned and organized. THEN ... spent 24 hours in the hospital to be blessed with my first grandchild!! Helping out with the little guy and planning out the projects I need to get ready for traveling in May and June. I never believed it until now that you will be wondering how you ever found time for work! ENJOY!!!! When things settle down in the fall, I want to join a quilting guild or some other form of learning / socializing group

Congrats on your upcoming retirement! It is the BEST "job" I ever had!! LOVE every minute of it. I'm still wondering how I had time to work! I'm involved with some volunteering for the American Legion, busy with Newcomers Club, and of course my quilting! Have fun with whatever you decide to to, and ENJOY life!

I gave myself 1 year before starting to commit to volunteering. So, that's my suggestion.....do what feels right for a year (travel, sleep late, pj's all day, read a book, etc.)......then start figuring out what feels good to do and what you'd like to commit to. But, first year, when folks ask for your help, just tell them you are taking a year off from all commitments before deciding. Then, after the year is up...you can decide!

Psycologists say the biggest hazard to retirees is interuption of their circadian rythms. You have spent a lifetime getting up, and being gone early in the morning. Now you don't HAVE to, but if you change your sleep schedule, you can end up tired, low energy, and possibly depressed by this. DH was a workaholic, his job was his hobby. Now he is retired and becaue he did this to himself, he has had some problems getting back to a normal sleep schedule. At first most people keep the same schedule, but as time passes, and you begin to really enjoy running your own ship as it were, that you begin to stay up later, because you don't need to get up early anymore, and it is a bad slippery slope . Be good to you, and go find out what you have been missing while you were being responsible! Blessings.

Also- beware of the phrase "since you aren't working..." Nothing comes at the end of that sentence except hassle! Ask me how I know....lol!

I am also a retired teacher. Congratulations on your retirement and want to thank you for all you did for the children!

We are used to as teachers to "gearing up" at the end of summer in preparation of the start of school. A wise retired teacher advised me to plan something specific for this time of the year - a special vacation, a project, etc., that will involve you and change your focus from getting ready to go back to school. It sounds like you may already have that in hand with your move to Florida.

Be aware of conversations, especially on the phone, that start with "since you're retired now...." People are very willing to help you with filling the many hours of your retirement. Be cautious of taking on too much too soon. Have a set response ready, especially if they ask you if you are busy on a certain day/time without first telling you why they want to know. My favorite is "I have tentative plans; what do you need and I will let you know if I can change them." That way I find out what they want. I tell them I will call back as soon as I can and let them know "yes" or "no". If it is something major (help with a doctor's appointment, etc.) or something that I am sure I can do or handle, I can accept. If not, I can decline graciously. Remember, your tentative plans may be to sew, take a nap, or read. You don't have to tell them what you are going to be doing.

When YOU are ready, consider volunteer work. It might be at a school. I found it hard to work in a school because I no longer had the authority of a teacher - that was just me. Many of my friends do volunteer in schools and enjoy it. Guess I am too much a control person. I did help, though, several years selling tickets for and working at the school carnival at my great niece's elementary school. It was very "unteachery-like"!

I had an opportunity to join a volunteer committee for the city at the Houston Police Department and have since served on several committees for them. I enjoy the interaction with adults and the feeling of giving back to the city. Several of my friends have volunteered at hospitals, nursing homes, charity thrift stores, zoo, museums, etc. Check with your city's website; they frequently post committees, boards, and events that they need volunteers for. Again, when YOU are ready, you will find what interests you.

Best of all, have fun and enjoy your life and your husband! You have earned it!

I remember feeling "cheated" that I no longer had weekends and holidays -- until I realized that EVERY DAY is a "holiday". I also had to learn that I no longer had artificial deadlines imposed by others, could enjoy the "process" of doing something just as much (or sometimes more) than the outcome. Finally, I found a little phrase somewhere that has become a motto: "You're never too old to try something stupid." What freedom!!!!!!

lots2do - Where in Florida are you moving? I am in Florida and could give you some tips, if you will be in my area. PM me if you like.

The first few months will be ever so fun. The next few not so much unless you get involved in something that will give you a reason to get up and out of the house. Enjoy your exciting new life style.

Retirement... Enjoy it !!!

My personal opinion, having a hobby or two increases the chances of satisfaction with retirement. Enjoy your retirement. When I was close, it took everything I had to go to work, I was so ready (probably for the last couple of years before my retirement date).

Congrats on your pending retirement.

I retired as of 12/31/14 & am enjoying every minute of it doing What I want, When I want & If I want. One thing I have found out is that when you are retired you have more time to get less things done which is probably because you are not on a schedule. And you can always do it tomorrow.

So enjoy getting together with your retired friends doing things you have put off because you were working. Go through all of those patterns that you saved & make them into quilts.

Just stay healthy & enjoy yourself doing what you want & have fun doing it.

Congrats

Mary C

I'll finish my last school year of teaching on May 22, and I can't wait! I bought my dream sewing machine 2 years ago (Ellisimo Gold) and paid it off in January. I have lots of organizing/decluttering to do around the house, grandkids to visit, and time to see friends and do some volunteering. I have heard that it doesn't really sink in until the new school year starts without us! I'm certainly looking forward to it.

I retired six years ago and this is what I am doing. I joined our local Senior Citizens Center which was voted the best in the country. I took quilting classes, painting classes, and many other classes. We have a travel club and I have gone to South Africa, to the Kentucky Derby and other short trips. I now teach classes there: Jazzy Bags, Scrapbooking, and Basic Quilting. I also belong to two Quilting Guilds. I have gone to the Houston Quilting Show twice and to our local quilting shows each year. I don't allow any water under my feet. I have a studio in my home, with everything I need to all my crafting and I bought a long arm machine last year. I had to bedrooms made into my studio. I am living the best days of my life and enjoying every minute of it. We have more days behind us than we have in front of us, so I say do all that you want to and can do while you have good health. I am going back to Europe in 2016. I always said, I buried a husband and raised two children. This is my time!! Enjoy your retirement.

Take it easy, don't rush into anything. I'm my 3rd year of retirement from the Boston Public Schools. I love retirement. I can stay up as late as I want . My favorite day of the week is Sunday night because I don't have to go to work the next day. Lol. I am tutoring 2 days a week at a students home and babysitting a 7 month old when I am needed one day a week. I'm involved in my quilting group where we meet once a week to do any project and then we have an official monthly group. During February vacation . I taught sewing to 40 girls from my church in two sessions. We made pillows and pajama bottoms . We are doing it again this month. Does this sound like I'm busy ? Yes I am. But I Love love love retirement . I taught 34 years in Boston as a 5th grade teacher !! Welcome to retirement!!