Not so sure about this retirement thing...

Welcome to Wondercafe2!

A community where we discuss, share, and have some fun together. Join today and become a part of it!

Register Log in
Nancy

Nancy

Well-Known Member
I enjoy playing Words with Friends and Bingo on line. I still do a few church services as a LLWL. I've joined a couple of groups with the church, and re-joined the choir. I read more than usual and actually clean more than usual (!) And I walk my dog in daylight hours now. Yet I still feel at loose ends. As a teacher, every day was very purposeful. Not feeling that at the moment. My original idea was to volunteer at my old school in their library, but they had a population boom and had to turn the library into a classroom. I keep looking on-line for part-time jobs. And I bought knitting needles...need someone to show me how to knit though. Sigh. Needing more of a purpose in life, I guess. I still feel like I have something to give.
 
I wonder about that as I approach retirement. My cousin just got herself a part-time job at a grocery store so she could feel more productive and could get out of the house.

If we lived in the same community, I"d love to teach you to knit. Usually there are groups of people who gather together to knit/crochet in communities, and they are good spots to learn or develop. Michaels and local yarn shops often have knitting classes.

I imagine retirement is an adjustment process. Good luck.
 
Thanks, Northwind. I'll try to join a knitting group in a week or so, after I've done some of the fall work around here that I am procrastinating about. My mom says she will help me learn too. I just have to whip up a little more enthusiasm.
 
I feel the same in many ways not being able to work. Not totally the same as I have less free hours where I have the energy to do things. Lots of things I'd like to do while wishing I had the energy for them.
 
Retirement is still a ways off for me, but I'm thinking about it anyway since Mrs. M is older than me and once she retires, I imagine I won't be too far behind. Travel is a biggie for us since it's something we both like doing. Personally, I'll pursue some of my hobbies, esp. writing and maybe go back to school for a Master's in Philosophy or Ancient History or something.
 
I'm a bit ambiguous about retirement at present. I'm officially on P.1.10 status (piss me off once, 10 seconds later I'm gone) as I've passsed my full retirement and no amount of work will gain me another penny of pension (well, I suppose if I stayed around for the next contract, and they managed to get an increase of any sort, I could make a few pennies more).

However, my cash flow situation will be even more pinched if I retire (no major travel for me, I'm afraid), I don't know what else I'd do, and I'm afraid I'd spend all my new-found time at the church..
 
Nancy, I set myself a reading target of 50 books this year in GoodReads. Kind of fun and has me catching up on those books that I started but didn't finish.

I was enjoying getting the garden into shape, travel, visiting with friends. I have no grandchildren even foreseeable in the future, so, do not spend time there, though am way overdue to visit new grandnieces.

I got caught up in a volunteer item which broke my "nothing for a year" rule, and am quite busy with it.
I also have spun up a 2nd career, which is fun.
I also have my Dad....which does take time.

I would recommend just settling for a year, let your body get rested, well, into a new rhythm and discover what feels good to you
 
Yes, Pinga, I should actually learn patience. Travelling isn't a real option (husband won't fly; finances don't allow a lot of it; still have a grandson at home that we help out with a lot; then there's the dog....). It is a test of my faith, in a way. If there is a task out there for me, I need to trust that God will help me find it.
 
My mother-in-law traveled everywhere. She was a widow, and she would travel with friends, relatives or cousins. She would jump on the train, or take a flight. She didn't have much money, and looking back on it big trips maybe were once every 5 years, but, to us, she was an inspiration.

I don't travel with my husband much. He just doesn't like to travel to urban centres or be a tourist. I travel with friends and other family members and sometimes myself. Doesn't have to be a long distance. Friends and family sometimes have a spare bed.

Patience is good though. Find what gives you life. (ps. if you want to get involved in doing research , I am working on a committee that could use some hands right now, and virtual is good!)
 
Some communities have volunteer bureaus or agencies - kinda a placement agency or clearing house for volunteer options - to match need with people who want to do something.

I'd love to be a volunteer with an adult literacy programme - reading is such an important skill to have & it is surprising the level of illiteracy that is actually in our communities. I think it would be so satisfying to help adults in that way.

I think it does take quite a while to settle into new routines once retired. I have friends who are retired teachers - they go to exercise class, swim class, life long learning series etc - wanting the external structure they're so used to. But they also find time for the garden, friends, local trips etc. My husband is a retired teacher - but not a 'joiner' - he putters and keeps himself very busy with his stuff around the house. He's become quite a stellar chef!

Knitting - you can give it a whirl using youtube videos! Amazing what's on youtube!! I'm teaching myself the 'continental method' of knitting - quite a change from the English style I'm used to - but a good challenge!! I've been using youtube for that - just watch a bit, pause, do it, advance the video, pause, do it. Do any of your local churches have a prayer shawl group? They'd probably love to tutor you & you'd be meeting some interesting people too.

It's early days yet re retirment adjustment ... you'll get the hang of it!
 
Retirement is the greatest time of life. If you were a teacher in Ontario you should have a wonderful pension. There is life after teaching and it is good! Women usually have groups of friends that they can do things with - lunch, coffee, knitting groups, church groups etc., and there are so many books to read that you probably never had time to read before. I have friends that took up piano lesson after they retired because it was something they always wanted to do or take up art or learn a new skill. Embrace retirement, enjoy sleeping in and not having to do early morning yard duty!
 
I will never be able to retire. I will always have to keep working for financial reasons. My work at the age most people are retired might involve writing, blogging, making YouTube videos... but as long as I can I must work.
 
I am lucky that I have a pension. But it is only about half of what other teachers get when they retire because of various life choices I made during my working life. It's enough for 4 of us to live on, with help from my husband's CPP and Old Age Pension. I just panic a little when I hear about the rising costs of....just about everything! Again, I need to have patience and faith. Love your idea of reading 50 books Pinga. Did you do it? And yes, a research job would be wonderful. I used to be a part-time Reference Library during my almost stay-at-home Mom phase.
 
I'm at 33...my volunteer stuff cut in, so I need to turn it up a notch to hit 50 by Christmas. It is just over 1.5 a week, which is doable if I finish some of the books that I have started but not finished.
 
I know a woman who went to the Salvation Army and bought a gorgeous

wedding dress when she retired. She was married and divorced and never

had one. She hangs it in her basement. Fun or what at retirement.
 
Pinga said:
I'm at 33...my volunteer stuff cut in, so I need to turn it up a notch to hit 50 by Christmas. It is just over 1.5 a week, which is doable if I finish some of the books that I have started but not finished.
Click to expand...
haha and get off wondercafe!
 
I wrote in my journal this week that, one thing about retirement...I have a lot of variety in my life! From taking kids to volleyball games, to attending meetings about our church camp, to baking for our church luncheon, to singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, reading, raking, taking my Mom out, spending time with my grandson, and signing up for a Sunshine Bus trip. But I have a feeling that I will be looking for a part-time job in the new year. Right now, I'll just enjoy.
 
I am disappointed that the project that has been on again/ off again, kicked up, and got formal approval the other week. So at a time when I wish I was ramping down to enjoy Christmas, I am ramping up. Dang-nab-it. Though, i am happy to be working so will make it be ok...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top