I will retire in Nov of this year. Currently I am just happy to sit down and read my quilting emails. I have a stressful job and I don't want to do anything after work or on the weekends.
So I am worried about what I will do when I retire. Did you set yourself a schedule so you got other things done.
I always think about quilting but seem to get little of it done. I will quilt like crazy and then I don't for a while. I have a short arm and frame down stairs that I really haven't used much.
I am only 56 so I can't become a blob once I quit working. any suggestions! I am really happy about retiring. I started working at age 17 so I am looking forward to retirement.
Now I have become nervous about what I will do.

Some days I don't do a whole lot... others I am a busy bee LOL
Maybe a schedule would be more comfortable for you, or try winging it for a while :D:D:D

LOL, i am so busy since dh and i quit working that i don't know how i found the time to work.

I have been retired for 2 years. There is never enough time in the day to get what I want done. I can't imagine being bored. Retirement is what you make of it. Quilting is My passion and I'm so happy to have the time to enjoy it:)

How is that women can retire. Do you still have to cook and clean house and keep the laundry done, as well as run errands and bring home the groceries, then start all over again. I never held a job outside my home, raised 4 children and kept busy all the time. Well guess what? Now at 77 I am still doing all the things I did before. Only exception is not having to drive kids to school/events.

and to top it all off....I do not get a Pension and SS is a joke for someone who never held a job.

I am sure there are lot of us...in this boat!

June in Cincinnati

I thought I would be bored when I retired. Now I am in sort of a "routine" vs. a schedule. Three mornings a week I go to the gym. One morning a week I have a very fun and very easy part time job. The rest of the time is filled by whatever strikes my fancy. Sometimes I have lunch with friends, most times not. Sometimes I run errands, sometimes not. Sometimes I feel like cooking, but not always. Hubby is happy with anything I put in front of him. I can tell you that Sundays have a whole new meaning, knowing that there is no job to go to on Monday. have fun with it and see where it takes you. You might be surprised.

I retired @ 47 with DH who was 53. At that time my FIL moved in with us full time. My advise to you would be first, get fully rested! Most Americans are sleep deprived. Getting a full night of sleep will make everything go a little smoother.

Second, have a list of things you want to try. There have been a few 'new to me' techniques posted here - quilting with crayons & sharpie markers come to mind. Anyway make that list while you are still working. It will help.

Third, plan some fun. Go out for coffee with friends. Plan day trips. Don't get locked in your house. You will still need some human contact. They just won't be able to tell you to work weekends or stay late!

Fourth, leave some time for new adventures. DH became involved in local politics. I'm in a craft group & I teach a ladies Sunday School class. None of these things were in our retirement plans but they have been a great source of fulfillment. Also, plenty of places need volunteers! Now you will have the time.

Fifth, watch your outgoing cash. I don't mean be tight but unless you have mega bucks, plan your expenses. Do however, include some cash for pure fun!

Congratulations. Enjoy a new phase of life. Don't retire to nothing (or all day TV) but redefine life!

You will love retirement. You will be on permanent paid vacation and can do whatever you please. It may be weird at first, and you may go through a feeling of loss and confusion, but it will end quickly. Be sure to find some volunteer things to do, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with what to do. I make teddy bears for the dementia patients at the hospital, and I help out the elderly in my building. Just allow yourself to be healthy and happy. You will love it.

When we retired, I ensured that my DH realised that I had also retired, as we had both worked long hours. We then did housework together. He did the gardening (only a small garden). I did the cooking, he did the clearing up after. When there was a big shop needed we did it together. We both had our hobbies, his was wood turning so he spent plenty of time in his workshop, while I followed my hobbies.

I think that it took me about a year to get over the anxious feeling that I should be getting ready for work. I love being retired. The only thing I miss is the paycheck. Hubby retired and we really miss his check!! With the econeomy the way it is, our money doesn't stretch as far as I would like it to sometimes...especially when the utilities keep going up, but we will get through this one way or the other.
I, too, have always said that I don't know how I ever had the time for a job. I'm as busy as I want to be and I am never bored. You'll love retirement!!

I thought I would have the same problem, but I retired in March at the age of 53 afterr 25 years in a stressful job. I thought my life would be boring, but it seems I always have something to do. I have a woodlot and cut wood, and just puts around the house. It is so nice to be able to do what you want when you want. Don't worry, you will get used to it, and enjoy it.

Had planned to retire August 2010 and work part time for same company; however, had heart attack/stroke on 8/21/2010 and had to retire "full"time. I'm now recovered, praise God, and am finally feeling well enough to do something besides resting/reading/watching t.v.

I've got several projects planned, especially finishing a fleece blanket for a baby shower on 8/27. I've been piecing a quilt top for youngest daugher's birthday in Oct; plus I working on another top for Christmas. I seem to be happiest when I have a project waiting for me. I think I could sew faster but afraid I might sew up everything and not have anything waiting!

Since I'm new to quilting I haven't built up an adequate stash yet to ensure forever projects.

I've started doing alterations lately and that keeps me busy with a definite deadline which I like.

Need a part time job and have applied to local crafts store and hope to be hired, at least through the holidays.

Too, I live alone in a 1 bedroom apt that is in the lower level of my apt bldg and have an issue with mold. Landlord will be moving me to another apt as soon as it is ready, so I have to build in the disruptions(sp?) for that also....even though he is "moving" me, I'll still have to get my stuff arranged like I like it !

Had a woman ask me a while back about being retired...her question was "how do you know when to cook breakfast?".....she was serious. I told her when she got hungry !

When I first retired I still got up early and had lots of plans to do this or that. As time went by I realized I didn't have to be up early and ready to go if I didn't want to and some days were chillin out days and others were activity days.

A few months after I retired I learned to quilt by attending a week long Elderhostel course and that took care of all my spare time.

Don't worry (smile). Once you get very rested you will find that young, new energy you used to have before the work world got in the way (laughter). I just early retired last December and have to say I have never looked back. Like what I did and am glad not to be doing it anymore. Socialize as you need to as this is good for your balance; read a lot if you wish; walk, run, play in the rain. Remember your life is meaningful no matter what you chose to do. I believe you will love retirement, but you keep us all posted or PM if you just want to visit about "stuff". Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!!

Sit back and think of the things you have always wanted to do, but never had the chance. Now IS the time! It doesn't have to cost anything except your time. When I retired I started quilting, going to the library about once every week, and became involved with some volunteer work that I always wanted to do. Start out with just one thing and try it for a month. If you like it great...if you don't...quit. Take a look at your community center events, or your senior center (although you are still just a youngster!) Then slowly add something else. If you have a lazy day...so what? You earned it, and there are no retirement police out there watching you. ENJOY! :thumbup:

I retired at age 53 in 1996. Now, I tell myself that I don't know how I had time to work. Of course, my yard takes up a lot of time & my house gets more attention.

I just do what I want each day, not set schedule, so much fun!

I just do what I want to. Some days I quilt other days I do nothing. My choice.

I have enjoyed reading all these responses. I am getting ready to retire in Dec. of this year from a stressful job that I am having trouble handling now that I am older. It is a young person's job! I keep going between "can't wait" and "do I really want to retire". Here's to both of us - may we both retire and be busy, productive and happy!

I had a very stressful job; fellow employees were not "friend" material, the atmosphere was from top down which was depressing. The commute to and from work was from hell twice a day....I would spend as much as 3 hours a day in traffic. Some mornings I would throw up because I didn't want to deal with traffic and in the afternoons I couldn't wait to get out of office to GET IN the traffic !

I don't have a lot of money but I do enjoy my peace of mind. I sew, read, cook, clean and do what I do when I want to do it ! I cook more and enjoy eating healthy meals at home. I've applied for a part time job near my house for "seasonal" work..it is a craft type shop and I would love to work there.

We left work in '92, i was 43, DH was 47. we intended to get secondary jobs that would have been more fulfilling, but illness struck me, I got disabled and got SSDI and with his pension and our savings we have not worked for pay since.

We have volunteered at the food bank once a week for a couple of years, then quit because of logistics. DH began feeding a dear friend of ours in a nursing home his lunch daily and when our friend died, he continued to feed another lady at that table who had no one to come daily.

I found quilting, we both found camping and VW campers. We shop thrift stores for the fun of the hunt and to save $. We can cook in or eat out, as we live in a huge restaurant friendly area. It's cheaper to eat lunch out. You can go see movies in the afternoon when no one else is there and the tickets are cheaper! If there is live theater, volunteer to be an usher, you get to see the play for free.

Trust me, you'll find your way. It's a good suggestion to not plan too much at first and to rest up well. Maybe start setting up a quilting project or two so that they are ready to go when you retire.
Have fun and enjoy yourself most of all!

Thanks every one for your responses, please keep them coming. My husband retired 15 years ago so it has been a difficult 15 years, as I wanted to be home as well. He has worked off and on in those years. Right now he is caring for our 2 year old DGD while her mom and dad work.
I worked from home for the last 4 years until we got a new director who made us all return to the office. I had left the office as I could not stand the BS at work and the politics.
I find when I come home from work and on weekends I don't want to have to do anything. No demands. Hopefully that will all disappear once I settle down after I retire.
Quilterfay

I was like you...afraid as to how I was going to fill up my day.
I had a physically demanding job. It took me about 4 months to feel rested. I belong to a drop in quilt group and i clean our church once a week. I go out for lunch about once a week. I plan yard sales with my grandson. If he is busy, I go by myself.
Last week DH went! (found a Singer 101 in a barn attic!)
I do not read or watch TV as much as I thought I would. I do A LOT of quilting and have a nice shady yard.
One thing to be careful of: saying NO to people. Just because you are loose during the day, some think you want to run errands for them.

One option is to go back to school, not for a career but for fun. Have you always wanted to learn another language, be a history buff, study art history, photography? DH has taken so many photography and history courses at our local community college that he earned enough credits for 2 AA degrees (he had many credits in other areas also). Now he just audits the classes, mostly photography courses. Since it's a 2 year college courses are limited but he has taken some photography courses several times, each time his professors give him more challenging objectives. You may enjoy student class trips to interesting places, nice to have someone else do the driving and parking.

I just turned 55 in July and now qualify for early-retirement from our school system (I teach Kdg). Gosh, what a monumental decision it is going to be!!! I attended a retirement meeting on Weds. I really do not feel *old* enough to be retired and I know that unstructured days are really not good for me at all. I would, however, like the freedom to do some travelling when DH has to travel on business and also to, hopefully, be available to babysit if DS and DIL decide to have children (childcare nowadays is so much more costly than when my children were little). I would also like to be able to do some volunteer work.

I am not saying I will retire at the end of this coming school year but...I am starting to explore it and try to be able to make a wise decision when the time comes.

What free time? We still live on the farm we worked on, so every year we cut back a little. This year I gave up chickens, next year the big garden, (still have a little one)
Dh gave up milking cows 12 yrs ago, but has calves and helps out with farming at the neighbors. I mow a large lawn & orchard, I have 1 mini horse, 3 goats, 1 donkey,3 rabbits,2 chickens and a bunch of barn cats. And a big yard full of flowerbeds. And every years it takes us a little longer to do things too. My DH has a surry (with a fringe on top) and a driving horse, that we hardly have time to take a ride.

I have had two jobs most of my life. I retired from the office job 11 years ago, but still have my homemaker job. How is it that men can retire and looks for something to do and we have a never ending list???????

There are so many opportunities out there just waiting for you to join in. Don't be afraid to take the first step and get out of the house at least 3 days a week!

Same here :lol:

I wanted to keep balance in my life, and so I set aside days during the week to do certain things. I set daily little goals for myself. When those things are accomplished, I sew. It's easy to spend too much time on the computer. Beware.

I have not retired yet=41 years in nursing-but I have thought about it. I love my quilting but do have to make time for the hubby else he will feel neglected. I have thought about volunteering at the local hospice- I do dream about a day when I will never have to get up at a certain time and be at work. I do think however that retirement is what you make of it.

Lucky you!!! I started working at 14 and I'm almost 61 now. I'll probably never be able to retire (thank you Wall Street). But my brothers and 3 best friends are all retired. They definitely keep busy. One teaches gun safety and cleaning and target practice (he's an ex-cop), one makes quilts 5 days a week for Project Linus, one works part time, etc. They all sat at home for about a month to just enjoy the freedom but then got bored.
Congratulations. You're still young enough to start another career doing something you really love and no stress.

Here is my best advice: If you have a basement that you will be using, start walking up and down steps whenever you can at work. This has been my biggest obstacle since retirement. I bet I am up and down the basement steps 10 to 20 times a day. I was not prepared when I retired, it just about did me in! Also, take your time before you leap into too much. And, practice saying "no". I came from a very stressful job and spent the first summer drinking coffee on the deck and just trying to relax. It is worth it!

I've been retired for 15 years & like others wondered how I found time to work. Don't worry, everything seems to fall in place. I was 47. I still have not learned to say "no".

That is what we always say too :-)

I don't .......

I just enjoy getting up each morning and doing whatever comes to mind..........

I did alot more sewing and alot more TV watching...but usually with hand sewing. I was a TV watcher before but live in a small town with not much going on during the day, no shopping malls, no daytime movies, just uninterestng stores...summertime I golf alot. That keeps me fit and in the winter not much....

Poorly. :oops:

I found that no matter what I had planned, life happened. My husband was diagnosed with life limiting disease in January. We moved from from California to Oklahoma (temporary until we decided where we wanted to lived on a permanent basis) in May. In September our youngest son who was in college was in a car accident and suffered extensive brain trauma. In December we moved to Dallas to be near medical facilities for his treatment. He gradually got better after 3 years and we started thinking about going back to our retirement planning. Then my mother started ailing and had to move in with us. 5 years later she died. Then I had a wreck and 3 back surgeries. This is LIFE as it really is. Now I'm 70, DH is 72 and we've lost interest and energy in traveling as a life style and the extra money is gone. But our years were invested in the people we loved.