Do you truly enjoy life these days?

hollydolly said:
as my post above.. I think our lives as seniors depends not only our genral health.. but on the availability of activities.. if like you and @horseless carriage you have plenty to do or see.. life is still going to be great... but if like me and others who live far away from things.. then not. so much
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Many of life's adventures are just a keyboard away.
I've started writing a fiction book.
Pick a city/town off of a map, randomly (or specific) to what you want to write about, and learn everything about that town/city. Roads, pubs, stores. Pick personalities and start writing a storyboard. A wonderful story will emerge.
Google maps or google earth is a great place to start. I wrap stories around pubs I've never been to, in towns I've never been to. It expands your mind in ways you would have never realized.
 

seadoug said:
Yes, I completely enjoy life these days. I haven't had any real stress in my life nor the need to answer to anyone else since I retired over 2 years ago. I also don't miss social situations that stressed me out as an introvert and having to pretend to like people that were total jerks just to earn their business. My only stressful time was when my mother suffered for a month and passed away in November 2021.

I have my partner, my friends, my in-laws and 2 cats who love me. I pre-plan every day of the week, whether it be gym time, grocery shopping, walking around the mall or lake or seeing a movie. Having structure in my life keeps me happy.

We also attend concerts, plays and we travel occasionally. We saw Pat Benatar last Saturday, and Duran Duran and Depeche Mode earlier this year. Music lifts my spirits. We haven't taken any major trips this year, but we are heading to Canada and New England next week and to Spain and Italy in late-October. I'm 65 and in good health and I want to do as much as possible while I am able. I'm realistic enough to know there will come a day when I can no longer enjoy these things.
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New England in the Fall is a great place! The weather is perfect this time of year, and yes, the leaves are starting to turn!
My favorite spots are all along coastal Maine.
 
Hm. I feel as though I'm at a decision point. I'm not entirely happy. But then moving from work to retirement is a real battle. Like many others, I worked long hours, my mind was very active trying to find solutions or designs, endless meetings and international travel. Now, I've let that go, and it leaves a vacuum. I still get offers to work on contracts (usually 6 months) and I'm very tempted. On the other hand, I've come to realize that life isn't just about working, there has to be more.

Which would all be great if those around me weren't so...... stress inducing. I've decided work should stop, but those around me are on a continuum, where I'm crashing the party. I do love my music, and that's good. But other than that I know I could be doing a whole lot more. The trouble is, is that because I miss the hussle-bussle of work, or because I really want to pursue whatever I can dream up? I've no idea. Probably both.

So I'm still trying to figure out what this retirement thing is all about, and where I fit into the picture. So I can't claim to be happy. I can't even say I'm unhappy. I'm just floating, if that makes sense.
 

VaughanJB said:
Hm. I feel as though I'm at a decision point. I'm not entirely happy. But then moving from work to retirement is a real battle. Like many others, I worked long hours, my mind was very active trying to find solutions or designs, endless meetings and international travel. Now, I've let that go, and it leaves a vacuum. I still get offers to work on contracts (usually 6 months) and I'm very tempted. On the other hand, I've come to realize that life isn't just about working, there has to be more.

Which would all be great if those around me weren't so...... stress inducing. I've decided work should stop, but those around me are on a continuum, where I'm crashing the party. I do love my music, and that's good. But other than that I know I could be doing a whole lot more. The trouble is, is that because I miss the hussle-bussle of work, or because I really want to pursue whatever I can dream up? I've no idea. Probably both.

So I'm still trying to figure out what this retirement thing is all about, and where I fit into the picture. So I can't claim to be happy. I can't even say I'm unhappy. I'm just floating, if that makes sense.
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Its a transition time.
Everyone is uncomfortable with the transition from working for decades to something different.
They key is to surround yourself with things to do, hobbies, volunteer work, self care, etc.
Its hard to let go of work, but when you think of the sunsetting years, this is your time.
You will not have answers like you did in your job/work. Answers come more slowly and at the pace that makes sense.
Don't beat yourself up. Don't be looking back to what you were comfortable with, embrace the change. Its not like flipping a switch. I follow certain people on TikTok that are in the same situation you are in and they talk through it.
 
VaughanJB said:
Hm. I feel as though I'm at a decision point. I'm not entirely happy. But then moving from work to retirement is a real battle. Like many others, I worked long hours, my mind was very active trying to find solutions or designs, endless meetings and international travel. Now, I've let that go, and it leaves a vacuum. I still get offers to work on contracts (usually 6 months) and I'm very tempted. On the other hand, I've come to realize that life isn't just about working, there has to be more.

Which would all be great if those around me weren't so...... stress inducing. I've decided work should stop, but those around me are on a continuum, where I'm crashing the party. I do love my music, and that's good. But other than that I know I could be doing a whole lot more. The trouble is, is that because I miss the hussle-bussle of work, or because I really want to pursue whatever I can dream up? I've no idea. Probably both.

So I'm still trying to figure out what this retirement thing is all about, and where I fit into the picture. So I can't claim to be happy. I can't even say I'm unhappy. I'm just floating, if that makes sense.
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Look up jdawg.retires on TikTok.
She is great at talking through the transition phases. She has been retired for about 19 months and she talks alot about what you are feeling.
 
VaughanJB said:
Hm. I feel as though I'm at a decision point. I'm not entirely happy. But then moving from work to retirement is a real battle. Like many others, I worked long hours, my mind was very active trying to find solutions or designs, endless meetings and international travel. Now, I've let that go, and it leaves a vacuum. I still get offers to work on contracts (usually 6 months) and I'm very tempted. On the other hand, I've come to realize that life isn't just about working, there has to be more.

Which would all be great if those around me weren't so...... stress inducing. I've decided work should stop, but those around me are on a continuum, where I'm crashing the party. I do love my music, and that's good. But other than that I know I could be doing a whole lot more. The trouble is, is that because I miss the hussle-bussle of work, or because I really want to pursue whatever I can dream up? I've no idea. Probably both.

So I'm still trying to figure out what this retirement thing is all about, and where I fit into the picture. So I can't claim to be happy. I can't even say I'm unhappy. I'm just floating, if that makes sense.
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It's intriguing how different people react to retirement. I was in a similar situation. I managed a sales team, received emails 24/7 that required responses, traveled constantly and as an exec in my company the buck stopped with me when coming up with solutions for difficult issues.

I started to slowly integrate more of my personal life to balance out the workaholic that I had become. At the start of Covid, I started walking with my partner by a lake that is near our house. Covid had severely affected my industry, and I asked him "suppose my company decides to let me go?" His response was "they could never let you because of your experience". Sure enough, I received a call from my boss in March 2020 letting me know my position had been eliminated as of June 2020. I had been with my company for 20 years, but I had already prepared, both financially and emotionally, so I have never looked back.

I think a good deal of how you handle retirement depends on whether or not you really enjoyed the last years of your career. I didn't. I am more than happy not to answer to anyone, not to constantly be on the road and not to have to make tough decisions.

Many retirement experts claim that having a "purpose in life" or a hobby is the key to a happy retirement. Perhaps there is something you really like to do that you couldn't do when you were working. Perhaps you should look into volunteering. For me, just having a schedule works. I still go to my home office in the morning, have my coffee, fire up my laptop and check my emails, Marketwatch, my investments, etc. If I just go to the gym afterwards, it is something that is beneficial to my health and is part of my routine. I am much more engaged in world events and politics these days. I just try to stay curious about everything that is going on around me. That helps as well.

Not sure where you are in your retirement. Experts say that the first year is like a "vacation" and the second year can lead to boredom and questioning your decision. I hope you do find something that keeps you interested and happy so you can feel fully fulfilled in your retirement.
 
The Blue Zones....great concept for living a long good life.
It takes into account so many aspects of living, not just diet, but everything.
Ya, you can visit the website, but it is such the 'tip of the iceberg' to the whole concept.
There are books on it and a Netflix series....well worth it
 
At my age now and my husband's age, I worry every day. I wouldn't want to spend one minute alive without my hubby next to me. I worry about my son and daughter and grandchildren every day.
 
I've never regretted retiring. I can still do what I want although at a slower pace with more pain involved. Still grateful to be alive and kicking. Guess I will stick around awhile longer just to see what happens next.
 
Llynn said:
I've never regretted retiring. I can still do what I want although at a slower pace with more pain involved. Still grateful to be alive and kicking. Guess I will stick around awhile longer just to see what happens next.
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I retired three months ago, aged 77. How I hate retirement. Work was as much a hobby as it was a source of income. It stimulated me, and it kept my brain ticking. What I miss most though, was engaging with the twenty-somethings. They treated me respectfully, some were a little reticent, but all engaged with me.

I do have hobbies, like my vintage record collection that I can play on an equally vintage jukebox. We still go dancing as in Latin & Ballroom, I have the 76 year old MG and I write. Sharing the domestic duties takes up some of the day, but how I miss the cut and thrust of work. When things go wrong, at work that is, some describe it as the Sh*t hitting the fan, it's that situation, and doing something about correcting it, that got the adrenaline flowing, but you never know, the phone might ring and the voice on the other end say, "are you doing anything?"
 
I don't know if I still have the courage it takes to enjoy life on my own. i.e. Today picking up grandson at a NYC Public School kindergarten. I'm afraid. I'm afraid maybe since I've never done it before. It's hard to walk the road to new horizons and that ability to "boldly go" is not longer there.

eta
I'm an old woman. That's how society sees me. As 'vulnerable' and in many cases, I am.
 
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I hate to be a bummer, but life is hard. Life has always been hard for me and should a fleeting moment of happiness come my way I would assume it to be unreal. If perchance a multitude of happiness come my way I would recognize happiness having no suspicious motives behind it and enjoy it for what it is worth.
 
I'm trying to ramp my efforts to get stronger again. Trying escitalopram again for panic attacks and that is going very well. So far no projection, but after some months I'll probably be off that.

Taking small risks and having more fun lately, combined with improving health has made me more positive than I've felt for a while.

No idea what the future will bring but at least my world doesn't seem so small right now.
 
Pepper said:
I'm not looking forward to my own future but for the futures of those I love.
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Alizerine said:
It takes some effort but it's worth it. My family is down to two nieces in distant states. I have lost my best local friend and haven't been able to contact my oldest NY friend for 2 months. The last time this happened (in July) I found the answer by Googling obituaries.

A neighbor from the civic association invited me to a party this afternoon. I am delighted to be included and will go.

Keeping up with repairs takes some juggling. I had to have 2 giant pine trees cut down on Thursday. That ($2,100.) was not in the budget.

Reading and creating keeps me somewhat sane.
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What are you creating if you don't mind my asking? Are you a painter, a builder, a gardener or ?
 
I'm not entirely sure. In one way I've got no real excuse for not enjoying life, but I loathe the way the world is going. Even the UK is in a dire state and the name "Great Britain" should be changed to something more appropriate like "Pathetic, wimpish, woke, nanny state Britain".

Well, sod it. We're going to try to enjoy what time we have left.
 
Sassycakes said:
At my age now and my husband's age, I worry every day. I wouldn't want to spend one minute alive without my hubby next to me. I worry about my son and daughter and grandchildren every day.
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where is @Sassycakes ?... can't see the last time she posted because she's got info blocked on her profile, but I feel it's ages since she's been here. Most unlike her..I hope she's ok...:unsure:
 
hollydolly said:
I wish we had all the events near me as you have close to where you live.....no wonder so many pensioner relocate down to Bournemouth and Poole..
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As well as Bournemouth & Poole we have the massive shopping centre at West Quay, Southampton. I was in the John Lewis store yesterday evening indulging in that annual scrummage known as last minute Christmas shopping. The John Lewis perfumery and beauty products is on the third floor of their five story building. The array of choices is a match for Harrods, I came out of their with my wealth well and truly damaged.
You spoke of Bournemouth, most of our dance friends will be at The Bournemouth Pavilion for the New Year's Eve Ball. The Pavilion has both a theatre and a ballroom, it's a great venue. The one drawback with Bournemouth though, is the lack of car parking, they really need to build more multi-story car parks.
 
horseless carriage said:
As well as Bournemouth & Poole we have the massive shopping centre at West Quay, Southampton. I was in the John Lewis store yesterday evening indulging in that annual scrummage known as last minute Christmas shopping. The John Lewis perfumery and beauty products is on the third floor of their five story building. The array of choices is a match for Harrods, I came out of their with my wealth well and truly damaged.
You spoke of Bournemouth, most of our dance friends will be at The Bournemouth Pavilion for the New Year's Eve Ball. The Pavilion has both a theatre and a ballroom, it's a great venue. The one drawback with Bournemouth though, is the lack of car parking, they really need to build more multi-story car parks.
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yes being a holiday resort parking should be high on their priorities.

We have a John Lewis store here just a few minutes drive... I rarely go in there.. I can buy identical items online for 1/2 the price...
 
John Lewis along with Debenhams has disappeared from Aberdeen. I rarely shopped in either one.
I've rarely been to Bournemouth although we often shopped in Allders department store in Portsmouth ( closed in 2005) and "Army & Navy" store (later to become House of Fraser) in Chichester.
 
Capt Lightning said:
John Lewis along with Debenhams has disappeared from Aberdeen. I rarely shopped in either one.
I've rarely been to Bournemouth although we often shopped in Allders department store in Portsmouth ( closed in 2005) and "Army & Navy" store (later to become House of Fraser) in Chichester.
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Here Debenhams and John lewis were right next door to each other.. very affluent area... then Debenhams closed all their store countrywide as you know.. and guess what opened up in place ?... A Huge Pound shop.... talk about bring the area down.. *sigh*
 
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