What's on Your Mind?

[Murrmurr]

A couple years too. I took a couple of 6 month contracts at the end, to give myself room.

I don't expect fireworks, for sure. Just to be settled. Mornings are tougher.

Nights were rough for me, probably because I worked graveyard and late shifts for so long. Plus I'd been a single father and all my kids had moved on. Also because I was single.

I had some really enjoyable hobbies all the while I worked, but couldn't be arsed after I retired....just lost all motivation. Fortunately, something great came along and I totally dedicated myself to being the best I could be at it for about 3 years.

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, so they say, and that ended a couple years ago. But shortly before it did, I got married. Not a common thing at my age, of course, so I lucked out there. But also, several months ago I took up painting again, an old hobby.

So, since retiring I've had a few really happy years here and there, a few periods of depression now and then, but I have finally become 100% acclimated. Not everybody does.

 

[VaughanJB]

Nights were rough for me, probably because I worked graveyard and late shifts for so long. Plus I'd been a single father and all my kids had moved on. Also because I was single.

I had some really enjoyable hobbies all the while I worked, but couldn't be arsed after I retired....just lost all motivation. Fortunately, something great came along and I totally dedicated myself to being the best I could be at it for about 3 years.

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, so they say, and that ended a couple years ago. But shortly before it did, I got married. Not a common thing at my age, of course, so I lucked out there. But also, several months ago I took up painting again, an old hobby.

So, since retiring I've had a few really happy years here and there, a few periods of depression now and then, but I have finally become 100% acclimated. Not everybody does.

Thank you for your story, Murrmurr.

I got an email just this morning asking me to go talk to a financial tech company in London, they're even willing to let me work only four days a week. But one of the things I regret is that much of the work I did was pointless. I mean, it was achieving business goals, but in the great wide world of things, I worked on some inconsequential stuff. I can't think of anything worse than "Financial Services".

I was once asked to go do a years work for the Police, went through the interviews etc. but when it came down to it I was offered two roles at the same time and I went for the money move (the Police don't pay like telecommunications do). I look at that now and wish I'd taken the Police role, because while it was less cash, I'd of felt I was contributing something, you know?

In IT, the passion goes into the technology, and you lose sight of the big picture. I spent 6 solid months working long hours to help put a Business to Business ecommerce site up. Whoop-de-do. Who cares? Just what the world needs, another web site selling stuff.

Anyway, I need to stop ruminating on this stuff. It's lightly raining now, and I'm going to walk the dog.

 

[Murrmurr]

Anyway, I need to stop ruminating on this stuff. It's lightly raining now, and I'm going to walk the dog.

If you're like most retirees, you'll do less and less of that. Or, I should say, you'll gradually do less ruminating on your old work life.

 

[Lara]

In IT, the passion goes into the technology, and you lose sight of the big picture. I spent 6 solid months working long hours to help put a Business to Business ecommerce site up. Whoop-de-do. Who cares? Just what the world needs, another web site selling stuff.
Anyway, I need to stop ruminating on this stuff. It's lightly raining now, and I'm going to walk the dog.

Thank you for opening up. You've had a lot on your mind since retiring. You're not alone. Our minds are like tape recorders that rewind as we decline. One by one, flashbacks are laid out raw in front of us to examine and critique...the good and the bad. I don't think that "6 solid months" out of your life was a bad thing though...not at all

You created jobs that put food on the table for others, perhaps sent a young person to college because they could afford it now thanks to your help. I remember calling IT when I worked at the hospital because I worked the night shift, ran the floor myself, and did the night audit. I was so grateful for the quick help I received with the computer.

It's hard to face some things that come to mind from the past but it's a blessing to still be alive with time to possibly make up for things we regret...even if it's not directly. And if it's not possible, forgive ourselves* and forgive others because life has challenges for all of us.

*and there's a step further I take by faith, asking God for forgiveness but I know that's not for everyone