How are you spending your retirement?

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jun 25, 2007

i'll be spending time in retirement , working.. of course i'll have a walker and a wheelchair to get me through those long 12 hour shifts... i'll be wearing ted hose and taking geritol...

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 25, 2007

Bump! I am bumping this thread hoping that you'll get some good responses. I am interested in hearing what people have to say.

I plan to start easing into retirment in about 10 years, maybe a little sooner if I am lucky enough to find a well-paying part time job. My dream is to gradually cut back from full time to part time to nothing over a period of a few years rather than retire all at once.

I imagine myself using that extra time at home to do all the reading and writing that I never get around to doing now when I am still working full time. But I must admit, when I get a little time off now, that's not what I do. I end up just resting and relaxing. I am hoping that if I were working only part time, that I would have the energy and the motivation to do a little work on my writing -- but I don't know for sure if that will happen.

As I said ... I am curious to read about the transition to retirement and hope you get some good responses in this thread.

Grace Oz · Jun 25, 2007

i'll be spending time in retirement , working.. of course i'll have a walker and a wheelchair to get me through those long 12 hour shifts... i'll be wearing ted hose and taking geritol...

Haha! That's funny. I'm guessing you're going to be working in LTC?! lol

Grace Oz · Jun 25, 2007

Bump! I am bumping this thread hoping that you'll get some good responses. I am interested in hearing what people have to say.
I plan to start easing into retirment in about 10 years, maybe a little sooner if I am lucky enough to find a well-paying part time job. My dream is to gradually cut back from full time to part time to nothing over a period of a few years rather than retire all at once.
I imagine myself using that extra time at home to do all the reading and writing that I never get around to doing now when I am still working full time. But I must admit, when I get a little time off now, that's not what I do. I end up just resting and relaxing. I am hoping that if I were working only part time, that I would have the energy and the motivation to do a little work on my writing -- but I don't know for sure if that will happen.
As I said ... I am curious to read about the transition to retirement and hope you get some good responses in this thread.

Sounds like a good plan, llg. I hope it materialises for you just as you wish.

I'm a young retiree, and I'm forever grateful and humbled to be able to enjoy these years not having to contend with the demanding workforce. Apart from perhaps doing some part-time work, I doubt very much that I could physically cope with the workloads.

I enjoy being my own boss and making ALL the executive decisions! :)

No more jumping to the beat of an employer's drum.

And, I can take a tea/coffee break anytime I choose! lol

oramar · Jun 26, 2007

Oh, I was just wishing for a thread like this since I am retired AGAIN. It is the third time, could be the last then maybe not. Every morning I get up and go straignt to the park for a bike ride or a walk. If I don't do it first thing in morning it does not get done. I also do about a half hour of floor exercises as soon as I get home. That on top of going to Curves three times a week and I am rapidly getting slim and fit. Then there is a few chores, lunch with friends and family, trips to grocery stores and other types of stores and malls. My mom has dementia and is requiring more and more supervision so that takes a big bite out of my time. I also help my child that lives near by with her childcare. I love being off in the summer, I am not going to miss anything because of work. Going camping at least three long weekends this summer. Also love not working Holidays, don't have to be at work wondering how everyone is doing at the 4th of July picnic or the family reunion. My husband is in postion to take long weekends over holidays. He had 5 day weekend over Memorial day and will be off 5 days over 4th of July probably Memorial day also and we have tons of plans because in past I was always working Holidays. When some plans a pool party or trip to local wave pool I am there. I LOVE IT. I keep thinking of all those poor friends of mine in there dealing with those psyco families and patients, endless paper work, lazy and clueless supervisor and support personel, contageous disease, the list goes on and on. NOT ME, NOT ME.:smiley_aa:yelclap: :yeah:

Trauma Columnist · Jun 26, 2007

Oooh Oramar, I envy you.!

I am almost 49 now and must work till I'm 70 (no lie). I chose to further my education a few years ago and my student loans will take a long time to pay off. Plus, I didn't become a nurse till I was 34, so I have some financial planning years to catch up on also.

I love this thread! Keep it going.

oramar · Jun 26, 2007

I can tell you the down side if your are interested. Outside of the economic thing which is so different for each person that I would not mention it, there are a few things you should know. Now I retired for 3 years at age 52, came back for 2 years, retired again for 6 months, came back for 1 1/2 years. Now off for three months. It takes 6 months to a year for you to start missing it. You forget about all the hassels and start thinking about the good things. The camaradie with other nurses, the times you really helped someone. Then I go back for a while and remember why I left the first time. :chuckle

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jun 27, 2007

I am really enjoying following this thread. I personally, however, don't think I'll ever retire. I am blessed to now have a fulltime faculty position with summers off! This truly seems like heaven to me :) I am working part-time at my community hospital as a staff RN (one or two shifts/ week), plus overseeing 20 nurse externs. I also just finished teaching a fast-paced (5-1/2 weeks) 100% online "Nursing Issues" class. I am 52 years old.

This summer, I am visiting old friends, gardening, and working on various craft projects.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2007

I'm probably going to have to work well into my 60s since I was too a late bloomer in the savings and planning. But I'm please that the more I have in my funds the quicker it's growing.

I would like to live comfortably, read, and take up new interests and volunteer work.

llg, that's a good plan to ease on into it. If I go to grad school (more debt) then I wouldn't mind teaching part time.

Grace Oz · Jun 28, 2007

Oramar, I've also pondered returning from time to time. Initially, I missed the colleagues. But I've since learned that meeting them for lunches etc, solves that problem. :)

It's easy to forget the negatives and the hassles which you were glad to leave behind. As with most things once they're part of our past, we tend to only recall the good. It pays to recall those things which caused grief, pain, hurt, stress, etc etc!

I remember with fondness the good times and the achievements and successes. I also don't lose sight of those things which weren't so wonderful. It's a good reminder of why I'm so glad, and grateful, to be fortunate enough to be retired.

As I posted in another thread; nursing served me well. I served it well.

I have no regrets looking back. All you ever get looking back is a stiff neck! :) But I'm happily enjoying retirement! :)

oramar · Jun 28, 2007

Oramar, I've also pondered returning from time to time. Initially, I missed the colleagues. But I've since learned that meeting them for lunches etc, solves that problem. :)
It's easy to forget the negatives and the hassles which you were glad to leave behind. As with most things once they're part of our past, we tend to only recall the good. It pays to recall those things which caused grief, pain, hurt, stress, etc etc!
I remember with fondness the good times and the achievements and successes. I also don't lose sight of those things which weren't so wonderful. It's a good reminder of why I'm so glad, and grateful, to be fortunate enough to be retired.
As I posted in another thread; nursing served me well. I served it well.
I have no regrets looking back. All you ever get looking back is a stiff neck! :) But I'm happily enjoying retirement! :)

Glad someone thought to do this thread.