So I retired and slipped right into retirement life, but I have recently began missing the daily grind of going to work. I am lucky that don’t need to work but I miss the work. Everybody thinks I am crazy not to goof off and enjoy my many hobbies without a care in the world. Nobody else have second thoughts about retirement or actually return to the job market?
To Stay in Retirement or Return to Work?
- Thread starter Possum092
- Start date
Nope! 
+1 on nope.
I miss what I did in my profession but do not miss the grind and daily hassles of getting to work in a big city. Especially these days!
Now I set my schedule not my employer.
Now I set my schedule not my employer.
Work can provide meaning, challenge and social interaction. Without those things, there is a hole. Maybe there's other interests you could find a use for other than returning to what you used to do? Something part-time, so you can avoid the grind? Less of a "job", more of an "activity"?
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
Time to convert your vocation to an avocation. Enjoy these years … not all have the luxury.
- Thread starter
- #7
I can relate to the big city problems; mine was Washington DC traffic and commuting for three years. I hated driving around the beltway every day til I moved jobs.
EclipseRedRing
I smell like a Christmas pudding
When you stop doing anything that took up a lot of time, be it work, drinking, drugs, or whatever, then it leaves a gap in your life and plenty of spare time that you have to fill. I suggest trying to fill your time with a wide range of healthy activities, one of which could be some sort of part time work, either paid or voluntary. I would not however simply go back full time to your old job, as that is not finding a solution to a problem that will not go away and that will eventually require a better resolution. Kicking the can down the road you might say. Good luck 
- Thread starter
- #9
I retired earlier than most guys my age with a full pension, so it’s been a little weird having so much free time to do whatever I want everyday.
EclipseRedRing
I smell like a Christmas pudding
There is an interesting thread here which discusses the importance of preparing for retirement beyond simply finances. It is equally as important to plan how to occupy your time, which is something I have been considering as I plan to retire to the Philippines in a couple of years.
www.badgerandblade.com
How did you prepare for retirement?
This thread is intended for those who have made the leap...or on the cusp of making the leap to retirement. However, in good B&B fashion, wise cracks from the peanut gallery are welcome as usual. :001_rolle Retirement is on the near (or far depending on the day) horizon for me...so I ask this...
www.badgerandblade.com
My wife's great uncle was quite happy with retirement, so much so that he retired three times.
If you're just looking to keep busy, there are all sorts of ways to do that, not the least of which is volunteering for charity.
However, if you really want a job, then I say go for it. What's the downside? You find that you were more nostalgic than anything and hate it, so you quit, and you're right back where you are now but more content and happy about it. The upside also is that you're happy and you got a bit more pocket change. Sounds like a win-win to me.
I don't know what you did, but can you go back on a contract basis, say just for a particular project or something like that?
If you're just looking to keep busy, there are all sorts of ways to do that, not the least of which is volunteering for charity.
However, if you really want a job, then I say go for it. What's the downside? You find that you were more nostalgic than anything and hate it, so you quit, and you're right back where you are now but more content and happy about it. The upside also is that you're happy and you got a bit more pocket change. Sounds like a win-win to me.
I don't know what you did, but can you go back on a contract basis, say just for a particular project or something like that?
+2 on nope.
Great buddy of mine retired a few years back. After a few months of R&R he attacked all the house projects. A year later after driving his wife crazy he started a part time gig with Meals On Wheels. Now he’s in his terms “a very happy and productive human “ again. Traveling, fishing, perfecting brush handles on a new lathe all sound glorious but only you can answer what it takes to feel personally fulfilled. Too bad we can’t shave 14 times a day huh?
I was given a severance package in late 2021 after 16 years. Picked up a new gig easily enough but, while I have no issues with the people I am now surrounded by (used to fly solo), I find I am really starting to look at the calendar. The plan was to pull the pin any time after age 60 (58 now), but with housing prices in our area going bonkers, we might be able to pull the chute sooner, though it would mean moving far from where we currently reside.
I'd consider a part time job, to stave off boredom, and supplement our retirement $$$, but actual "work"? Hell no.
I'd consider a part time job, to stave off boredom, and supplement our retirement $$$, but actual "work"? Hell no.
Chicago here, I rode trains when the schedule worked but when it didn’t the expressway traffic certainly was not very express!
Don't miss it a bit.
But, I have so many hobbies and things to keep me busy so I'm occupied all day.
I told myself that if I got to a point where I wasn't keeping busy (productively busy) that I would look into volunteering for a worthwhile cause, like Habitat for Humanity or another charity where my life skills could be put to advantage.
But, I have so many hobbies and things to keep me busy so I'm occupied all day.
I told myself that if I got to a point where I wasn't keeping busy (productively busy) that I would look into volunteering for a worthwhile cause, like Habitat for Humanity or another charity where my life skills could be put to advantage.
I “retired” after 18yrs as a Critical Care Paramedic and 2 years as an EMT prior to that. My wife finished all her school/training as a vascular surgeon, joined a practice, and now makes enough money that I don’t have to work. We have three small kids that take up my time but I really miss the people I worked with. The job itself was fulfilling but what I miss the most are the people I worked with. It’s hard to talk about EMS with people who have never done the job. I let all my certifications lapse because I didn’t have time for the continuing education required. I don’t think i’d ever be a paramedic again due to the paperwork involved but my plan is to recertify as a basic EMT and just drive the ambulance, that and tell my Paramedic partner why everything they’re doing is wrong 
.
I don’t ever plan on going back full time but a part time would be ok. Any chance you can do your job on an “as needed” or part time basis?
.I don’t ever plan on going back full time but a part time would be ok. Any chance you can do your job on an “as needed” or part time basis?
I retired 4 years ago at 50. I stay out of the house nearly all day, everyday doing my hobbies. I do spend a lot of time helping others, but do it because I want to. I don't miss work and don't see me ever going back to doing something on someone else's time. I have gotten too used to doing what I want when I want.
- Thread starter
- #19
Thanks for the link. My brother was planning to do the same. Hopefully, you‘re in excellent health because specialist care is hit or miss. Also my buddy who has family in the Philippines needed armed escorts to travel back to his home village to avoid problems with armed holdup men in the countryside.There is an interesting thread here which discusses the importance of preparing for retirement beyond simply finances. It is equally as important to plan how to occupy your time, which is something I have been considering as I plan to retire to the Philippines in a couple of years.
How did you prepare for retirement?
This thread is intended for those who have made the leap...or on the cusp of making the leap to retirement. However, in good B&B fashion, wise cracks from the peanut gallery are welcome as usual. :001_rolle Retirement is on the near (or far depending on the day) horizon for me...so I ask this...
- Thread starter
- #20
The first six months, I spent a lot of time engaging in my hobbies which was great. Lately, I started seeing some of my hobbies as work, because the amount of effort and time needed. Congrats on retiring young!
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