RETIREMENT ISN'T THE END OF THE ROAD - IT'S A NEW BEGINNING

Retirement doesn't mean boredom, or endless empty days. It's a new beginning where you fill your days with whatever you choose.

RETIREMENT ISN'T THE END

I've heard so many people worry over what they'd do to keep busy once they retire. They wonder how they'll fill their days, how they'll stay relevant, and how they won't die of boredom. I didn't have time to worry about those things before retirement became my life - and perhaps that was a good thing for an over-thinker like myself.

Instead, I went from gainfully (if miserably) employed to being at home full-time virtually overnight. And, in the process, I discovered that retirement isn't stagnation, it's the beginning of a whole new - and pretty Fabulous - phase of life.

sometimes our biggest blessings are wrapped in a goodbye

RETIREMENT IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT

Getting older sucks sometimes - you notice your body reminding you that it's not as young as it used to be, and you find yourself slowing down a bit here and there. But you're not sitting in God's waiting room unless you choose to be. You can let all the little niggles get you down, or you can look past them and see all the wonderful benefits that being older brings with it.

Retirement is one of those benefits - and like ageing, it's what you choose to make it. There's a vast range of approaches to being retired, anywhere from filling your days so full that you're busier than when you were working, right through to sitting in a chair all day and wondering what you're going to do to fill all the empty days ahead. And (fortunately for people like me) there's a very large amount of space in between these two extremes where you can find a lovely balance between being busy and doing nothing.

RETIREMENT IS SO FLEXIBLE

When I first left work I needed several months to recover my mojo and feel like my old self. It seemed like my joy and resilience had been sucked dry and I needed time to build them back up again - having my days free of a 9 to 5 schedule gave me the time I needed to get my act back together again. 

When I finally came up for air and could smell the roses again, it was a new world being dominated by covid and a whole pile of restrictions. Retirement let me navigate that world with very little fuss or inconvenience - it was like I had everything in place to ride out the storm. It also meant that I had time to look around and decide what I wanted to do next and how busy or un-busy I wanted my days to be.

After I emerged from the dark covid days, I found a whole new life opening up before me - no commitments to schedule around, no demanding days to recover from, no crazy people demanding my attention.....just days of freedom and lots of choices available to fill them with. I could volunteer, become more creative, socialize if I felt like it, stay home, exercise, and order my world exactly how I liked it.

RETIREMENT IS A WHOLE NEW WORLD

It's been 3 years since I left my soul sucking job and I haven't regretted it for one minute. What I will admit to though was wondering if I should have looked for another job seeing I was only 57 when I left. At the time I wasn't in the right headspace to be job hunting, but as time has worn on, I questioned whether I was 'past it' or not. That didn't stop me from enjoying all the interesting things I'd filled my week with - and loving every minute of no longer answering to anyone for a pay cheque.

Do not waste time thinking about what you could have done differently.  Keep your eyes on the road ahead and do it differently now

Recently things have changed again, my hip has become a problem and some of the lovely things I filled my days with have had to be put on hold. I decided to change things up a bit by seeing if I really was 'past it' for being employed - and found out I wasn't when I successfully applied for a little part-time job. My brain is firing up again and it's been interesting dipping my toes back in the waters of employment (in the shallow end). But......I don't see it being forever, I see life as far too fluid these days to settle for writing anything in concrete - or assuming anything will be long term. I like that retirement has taught me that I can allow myself to go with the flow and see where it takes me.

RETIREMENT IS DEFINITELY NOT THE END

Never let anyone tell you that retirement is boring, or that it's the beginning of the end. Retirement is one of the best chapters of life - it's a well kept secret, but once you learn how lovely it is, you would never go back to the old 9-5 way of life - well.....you might for a day here or there, but you certainly wouldn't swap it for what you left behind. I know I definitely wouldn't! I think I agree with Morgan Harper Nichols that we arrive where we're meant to be - when we're meant to be there. By the time retirement arrives, it's something to open yourself up to and allow yourself to enjoy the ride ahead.

you arrive where you're meant to be when you're meant to be there

Have you embraced retirement or is it something you're not sure about that's waiting on the horizon ahead? Don't worry - it's going to be Fabulous - there's so much to discover.

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Retirement doesn't mean boredom, or endless empty days. It's a new beginning where you fill your days with whatever you choose.

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Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive
Retirement doesn't mean boredom, or endless empty days. It's a new beginning where you fill your days with whatever you choose.

37 comments

  1. I worry a little because I've not coped well when I've had lengthy breaks from work over the past decade. I know it's not quite the same as there's always a part of me that feels I SHOULD still be working so need to be productive even if I've not got work on... it's like I should be looking for work and I feel as if I can't properly relax for that reason.

    But I'm planning on retiring at 60 - whether I can afford it or not, (I say bravely) so conscious that it's getting closer as I'm 55 this year.

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    1. Hi Deb - I hadn't even thought about early retirement until it hit me between the eyes! I think I'm grateful because it gave me less time to over-think the whole process and to try to figure out whether I had any self-worth left without a job to justify my existence! I think it boils down to finding other interests to fill your days and maybe gradually sliding into no longer working (rather than leaping straight from full-time work to no work at all). I hope it all pans out well for you and I'm so glad you've found the job you have now. x

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  2. I'm decades off retirement and some days unsure how I am supposed to put up with employment forever :) But I would love it if there was a better way to take a break in life - not sure we should save downtime for a mythical later that might not come.

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    1. I think the same thing Vanessa - my daughter and her husband aren't having children, so she doesn't even get the change of pace that maternity leave brings with it. She opted to change her job to working from home for a while and with less hours - a kind of sabbatical I guess - to change things up a bit. It seems like forever to get to retirement age and then it seems like forever that you'll have no "purpose" once you do retire - we definitely need to find a way to do it better don't we?

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  3. I really love your attitude and outlook on life that shines through all your post. It is very inspiring Leanne. For a while retiring early was a goal that I had. Nowadays I love work so much that I am striving for a balance between demanding work and the rest of my life, to be able to work longer. I also decided to change my place of work, not because I didn't love my job, because I truly did (Kindergarten teacher) but because other terms of employment will be beneficial for me these coming years, including the choice to work part time if I choose to. I am not planning on doing that any time soon, but when I get closer to retirement age I could go for that option if I want, and still keep the job I love.

    My grandma is a great source of inspiration to me. We travelled the world together when she was well past 70. We visited Spain, Alaska and Hawaii together. The memories of her zest for life is with me.

    Thank you for your inspiration!

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    1. Hi Maria - my daughter is a high school teacher and she's been teaching external studies this year as a change of pace. It's hard to find a part-time position when you want to be involved with your students isn't it? Going part-time and sliding slowly into retirement is definitely preferable to leaping off a cliff from working full-time (I can vouch for that!)

      I travelled with my mum a few times when she retired and it was a wonderful experience (much like yours with your grandmother). My mum has a zest for life and is a lot more sociable than I am, so it made the trips so much more enjoyable for me and it was a chance to go to places I'd never have seen without her.

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  4. I retired at 60 from a job that I was still enjoying (as an occupational therapist working in a staff development role) but I wanted the freedom to explore other opportunities. I worked part-time for several years prior to retirement so I was able to start building other connections and activities prior to fully retiring so I expected a fairly pain-free transition. Of course, it didn't go quite to plan as shortly after I retired we went into the second and then a third covid lockdowns (I'm in the UK) which put a stop to most of my plans. So when I was approached by the university to do some work mentoring OT students I jumped at the chance. It was a 6 month part-time contract so gave me freedom to do other things as we started to come out of lockdown. I have now been 'properly retired' for about 10 months and can honestly say I don't know how I found the time to work! I still don't think I have quite the right balance between time for me and time that I spend volunteering/supporting other people/etc but I know that retiring has opened so many more opportunities that I'm looking forward to whilst I still have the physical and mental capacity to do so.

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    1. Hi Shirley - I think retirement has so much to offer - but sometimes we need to flex a little here and there until we get the balance right. I was only working part-time when I left my horrible job and that made the transition smoother, but (like you) I had covid to contend with not long after I left and just as I was starting to come up for air. It actually gave me an extra period of grace to try to figure out what to do with myself and also to allow myself to just "be" and not be constantly trying to prove my worth (to myself and anyone else I thought mattered). This new little p/time job is going to be my final wave goodbye to paid work - tying a bow on 40 years of work - and once my hip is back up and running (literally) I'll jump back into all the other opportunities that I'm sure are waiting around the corner. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to encourage me with your story. x

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  5. I know a number of people who have retired and gone back to work (but a different scaled back work) or got regular volunteering gigs at the art gallery etc. So structure is clearly one of the things people miss. A friend said to me 'the good things about retirement is you start going out to all the fun things on in Sydney...but you already do that so I don't know what you'll do." Hehehehe....I don't know. I know my Dad, while he played golf, really relished going into work (even tho he panicked about being 'useful'. He had sold his company but they let him stay on one day a week out of respect. It was weird how insecure he became about it. He needed it for his own reflection for himself.

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  6. I wrote this big long essay in response and then added the above sentence at the end. I can't believe that's all that came thru!! I think losing structure is hard for people, and losing their vision of how they see themselves. But getting out and doing things (having the time to do that) is def a plus!

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    1. Hi Lydia - I definitely understand how some people are really lost without a job to define them - and I think sliding slowly into retirement definitely helps with the adjustment process (or even un-retiring for a while to check if you made the right choice!) And yes the free time to do what you want, when you want is an absolute joy...... And sorry your comment imploded - I hate when that happens!

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  7. Hi, Leanne - I love your attitude and agree that retirement has so much to offer. How is your hip doing? Any progress?

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    1. Thanks so much - the hip "is what it is" I'm afraid. 9 months wait til my health insurance kicks in and then the light at the end of the tunnel will be a lot brighter! In the meantime I hang in there and try to look for the little joys in my somewhat curtailed life :)

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  8. I agree with you Leanne, retirement, l like most things in life, is what you make it. I wasn't happy when I was 'made' to retire at 56, but now I am loving my retired lifestyle and the freedom it brings. Like being able to spend weeks away from home visiting my daughter and grandson up north, going overseas to visit my eldest daughter and granddaughter and spending time with other family around the country (now that we actually travel again). I am useful in my volunteering role with Rotary and give back to my local community in many ways; reading and blogging fill in any spare time I have - I've learnt to make the most of this precious time!

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    1. Hi Deb - we both know what it's like to have retirement thrust upon us unexpectedly, but we also both recognize the freedom and flexibility it brings with it. The time to travel is a huge one - especially for you to be able to go to the UK for an extended period of time - you must be counting down the days! I love that we can fill as much of our week as we like and still have time left over for some reading and blogging x

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  9. Hi, Leanne - I am positive that I commented on this post earlier. I came back to see if you replied, but could not see my comment here. It may have simply gone into cyberspace (my comments have been known to do that before). I love your positive attitude about retirement and completely agree with you on this!!

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    1. Hi - I'm so sorry your comment disappeared (I've had the same thing happen many times and it's SO frustrating!) Thanks for popping back and yes, retirement has turned out to be my secret super power - I seem to be really good at not going to work! :)

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  10. Oops - I just found my other comment. For some reason, my comments are not publishing on your site as 'anonymous.' Sorry about that. It's me - Donna (Retirement Reflections)!

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    1. Hi Donna - try hitting the drop down arrow when you open the comment box and choosing name (you can also put in your url but it's not needed) rather than Anonymous and that should do it. Google has been playing games with comments lately :(
      Mind you, I've lost a few of mine on WP too - sigh....

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  11. I agree with you that retirement is what you make of it and there are so many options out there! Everything from travel to part time work to time with grandkids to focusing on healthy living to learning a new craft. It's really about knowing yourself and picking a few things that fit your interests/desires. And then picking others if that doesn't work out or if life throws you a change - from a bum hip to an awareness that hubby's only real desire is to live in Florida. I don't think my days are at all busy, but they are certainly full! And that's fitting for me right now.

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    1. Hi Pat - I think that sums it up beautifully - there's so many choices and so much more time to explore them. I like that I can try something and discard it too - I'm not locked into any commitments (not like when I was working!) And yes, when a spanner gets thrown into the works we can adjust more freely - a great bonus!

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  12. Such a good post Leanne and you often nail it with a common thread I can see in agreement. Who knew I could have so many retirements!!! I've had the traditional "leaving paid work" ones around 3 times. I am now going through the retiring from "voluntary roles" ones...and of course, the latest for me, "retiring my link up". That was hard. Very....but "it was time"

    Thank you for kindly linking up your blog post for the “last, last lucky last” link up from Denyse Whelan Blogs.

    Bloggers such as yourself have made my day, week and month many times with your kindness, your care and sharing your stories too.

    I am grateful to have had such an opportunity to create and keep a great community of which you have been a valued member.

    I will still be blogging from time to time and I look forward to continuing connections where we might ‘meet’ again.

    Warm wishes,

    Denyse.

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    1. Hi Denyse - that's the great thing about life, it's always evolving - and retirement is part of that process. I think it would be quite boring and stifling if we were locked into an unchanging routine - being able to re-invent ourselves to adapt to changes in our life is such a blessing - and keeps us young. Thanks again for all the years you hosted the link party and this is just the beginning of another phase of blogging. x

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  13. As you know, I am only a few weeks into retirement, Leanne, but so far I am loving it. I promised myself at least a month to just relax and recover from a demanding career before I even considered whether I was "wasting" time or not. So far, I have blogged, read, worked on puzzles, walked the dog, met up with friends and family, and simply enjoyed being without worrying about doing. Just being able to schedule appointments or run errands during a weekday is lovely. I am looking forward to seeing where this next chapter of life takes me, but for now I am enjoying the rest.

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    1. Hi Christie - give yourself as long as you need - the great thing about retirement is that you don't need to rush. You can launch into something new, the back pedal a little if it becomes too much, then accelerate again when you're ready. This has turned out to be such an enjoyable stage of life for me (despite the hip issues!) and I love that it's so adaptable to whatever life throws at me.

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  14. Hi Leanne, I agree with you there is so much to discover. I love the freedom and flexibility in retirement. Just like any phase in life, it's what you make it. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

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    1. Hi Natalie - 'freedom and flexibility' are the two words that I associate with retirement. It's been such a gift to have these in my life after all those decades of being tied to various commitments - I cherish the freedom I have now every day. x

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  15. I retired almost three years ago from a 40+year teaching carreer. It was great but it was time to move on and do what I want ot do.

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    1. Hi Antoinette - I think we know when something feels right and it's up to us to then pursue it with gratitude. To have put in the hard yards and to reap the rewards is such a gift isn't it?

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  16. I have absolutely no worries about how to keep busy when I retire. I love the work I do, but I'd retire now if I could, because there are so many other things I'd like to do with my time.

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    1. Hi Janet - I think being a writer is such a gift for when you retire - you have all the more time to do what you love. I've found so many little things that I enjoy and that I have the time for over the last few years and I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to pursue them. You're going to love retirement when the time comes.

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  17. I've been retired since 2010 and have been busier than ever. Now, I'm
    doing thinsg I didn't have time for before. Is there an adjustment? Yes!
    But, it's quick and with no pain involved. Great article ...
    Isadora 😎

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    1. Hi Isadora - you're absolutely right - I think there's a bit of adjustment for all of us, depending on the process of getting to retirement, but once we're in the swing of it, we find our sweet spot and it's just lovely!

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  18. This is so good Leanne. I was just thinking today as I left for work (which I love my job), but thought "I can't wait til I can stay home again and do so many of the things I'd love to do but are confined to the two free days I have each week". It also makes me determined to stay healthy so that when that time comes, I'm able to do the various things I want to do.

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    1. Hi Kirstin, I think working part-time is a good way to slide gradually into retirement. You find all sorts of interesting things to fill your days off with - and you have time to focus on moving and staying healthy. Then retirement happens and you just get to do more of those things - it's such a lovely stage of life! You're going to have a blast :)

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  19. It is quite a change of pace after working hard for so many years. I retired at 60 which is still pretty young. Blogging, writing, and volunteering kept me busy almost at the pace I had been working. After we moved to Prescott 18 months ago, I finally relaxed and discovered what real retirement is. I still feel a little guilty just reading a book in the middle of the afternoon, but I'm learning to go with the flow. :)

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    1. Hi Marsha - I found it difficult to not feel guilty for the first year or so - I think I'd based a lot of my 'worth' on what I contributed to the world via my work....to no longer be doing that, and to have so much free time, took some adjustment - but now I love it too and feels like such a privilege to be able to stop and read that book in the afternoon :)

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