Escapes
I retired from 26 years as a teacher and school counselor in 1996.
Being in education gave me (and my husband Mike) practice at retirement. We never had trouble adjusting to our 3-month summer vacations, so we knew we'd adjust easily to full retirement.
I love being retired. The best part of it is the freedom to use my time as I decide to. A number of things make that possible: good health, a good marriage to someone who likes to do the same things I do, financial security, an introverted nature that leaves me content to spend a day alone. I don't have responsibilities for aging parents or nearby grandchildren, except the month of July, when all the grandchildren come.
I've always hated Ohio winters, when I don't want to do the outdoor things I love, gardening, biking, hiking. It seemed a miracle the first time we put the bikes on the back of the car in January, pointed the car south, drove two days and emerged into a different season. Every year since then we've escaped to Florida or Hawaii or New Zealand or Arizona, and it still seems a miracle. Because I'm able to be outside and exercise all year, I think I'm healthier than I was before I retired.
I do have the need to feel useful in the world, and try to meet that need by being aware of the people around me and noticing when I can help. That might be just by giving a listening ear to a stranger who seems to need it; I have time when others are rushing. I do some volunteer work that I enjoy. After traveling for more than 3 weeks, I notice a restlessness in me that comes from not being engaged in anything helpful to anyone and just living for my own enjoyment. It's not enough to send me home, just kind of a background murmur.
Judy White
PS - After re-reading your instructions (I am a direction follower always) I see I forgot a requirement. I was 55 when I first retired. After that I worked half-time in my old job for a year and then several times part-time teaching ESL. No need to add any of that unless you want to. The only other thing I might have added to my list of factors is a basically lazy and unambitious nature that makes it easier to retire. Also that the adjustment may be easier to women who've been in and out of the job market while raising kids.
5/26/09
TWO PERSPECTIVES
Retirement: An Occasional Series:*
Judy White, friend since post Peace Corps days, 40+ years ago
From the Farm in Ohio:
From the ‘House’ in Maine:
Retirement? Not sure what that means.
I left my full time, salaried/benefits/paid vacation position maybe six years ago at age 56, took a year off to consider what I might do next and began a second career, starting an international program for public and private schools and training high school kids in social and global leadership.
Life has been fulfilling. Some years I have made some money, other years hardly enough to cover some basic expenses, but all the while I have felt a sense of purpose and excitement--which is what I imagine "retirement" to mean.
This changed lifestyle has permitted us to build and live in a wonderful place in Maine for 4-6 months of the year and still be in DC when I need to or when we want - the advantages of a virtual office and the internet.
Who knows what will come next. At age 62 I still feel young and not sure what life might bring me, but I am grateful for all that I have and for what I am able to do that I think contributes in some insignificant way to the greater cosmos.
Hugh Riddleberger
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This post is part of an occasional series by friends and others on their experiences with retirement. I wrote on the subject earlier here and here. And Larry Makinson wrote about his experiences here.
If you have interest in contributing a post on this subject, please do. Send it to me at: Samesty84@aol.com.
