How did you plan emotionally and psychologically for retirement?

I'm only 54 but, now when I take vacation it's a staycation and I isolate myself as much as possible because that's likely how it's going to be when I retire. I can get up when I want and do whatever I want, in as long a time as I want. There isn't gonna be anymore rushing around. I will likely have to supplement with a part time job to make ends meet as food service doesn't pay that well.
 

CatGuy said:
I'm going to be retiring in about 7 months, and I'm curious as to how others have planned - or not planned - for the first days/weeks/months of being retired. Did you have a plan? Were you excited? Anxious? How did those first days/etc. affect you mentally and emotionally?

Thanks to all who reply!
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I was VERY anxious but knew it was the best thing for me and I have NO regrets. No, I did not plan it all out. Sometimes we can plan and plan but it doesn't turn out as we expected. I went with what was best for me. If I planned, I would probably still be working. Sometimes we have to TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH.. that's exactly what I did.
 
I truly appreciate all the responses to CatGuy's inquiry, for I feel as though I am in good company.

I've work predominantly as a geriatric psych at a hospital I call "Wrongway Regional Medical Center". I often look for signs or the writing on the wall to help guide my decisions. Recently, I told my work wife Eleanor that if I start to make mistakes in one way or another, I will retire.

However, I have been recognized by administration a few times in the past year for quality patient care and documentation.


feather in my cap jpeg.jpg

And just last month, I received a prestigious award:


daisy award jpg.jpg

So I'm torn between retiring at the top of my game or waiting until I need to be turned out to pasture.

Thank you all for allowing me to be involved in this discussion.
 
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Davey Do said:
I truly appreciate all the responses to CatGuy's inquiry, for I feel as though I am in good company.

I've work predominantly as a geriatric psych at a hospital I call "Wrongway Regional Medical Center". I often look for signs or the writing on the wall to help guide my decisions. Recently, I told my work wife Eleanor that if I start to make mistakes in one way or another, I will retire.

However, I have been recognized by administration a few times in the past year for quality patient care and documentation.


View attachment 94088

And just last month, I received a prestigious award:


View attachment 94090

So I'm torn between retiring at the top of my game or waiting until I need to be turned out to pasture.

Thank you all for allowing me to be involved in this discussion.
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I know how you feel, Davey. When I took my latest (and last) job, I was brought in on a contract-to-hire basis as a senior database developer. I told my wife then (February 2017) that if they hired me at the end of the six-month probation, I'd work until August 2018, my 60th birthday.

But, my employer fooled me: they asked me to come on board as their database administrator, a position I'd coveted for some time. It seemed like a great chance to put a fine cap on my career, and I told my wife I'd work a couple more years, or until it stopped being fun. I've done some great things for my company, and been recognized by everyone from my manager up to the president, and I truly enjoy what I do, but it's time to step away and pursue other passions.

So my advice, FWIW, is to ease out now. Perhaps a phased withdrawal would be a good compromise: you gradually work fewer and fewer hours, until you know you're ready, giving both your employer and yourself a nice adjustment period.
 
Davey Do said:
I truly appreciate all the responses to CatGuy's inquiry, for I feel as though I am in good company.

I've work predominantly as a geriatric psych at a hospital I call "Wrongway Regional Medical Center". I often look for signs or the writing on the wall to help guide my decisions. Recently, I told my work wife Eleanor that if I start to make mistakes in one way or another, I will retire.

However, I have been recognized by administration a few times in the past year for quality patient care and documentation.


View attachment 94088

And just last month, I received a prestigious award:


View attachment 94090

So I'm torn between retiring at the top of my game or waiting until I need to be turned out to pasture.

Thank you all for allowing me to be involved in this discussion.
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CONGRATS!!!!!!! You will know when the time is right.
 
Davey Do said:
Thank you so much for your reply, CatGuy, I do believe you know how I feel.

I will try to "ease out now".
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My plan for "easing out" was to be less ambitious about the projects I undertook, and to make sure my employer hired my successor while I was still around (we're working on that part). I'm in more of a "keep the lights on" mode, and will be until August. When we finally get a new DBA in, I'll start turning over duties to them, and planning fishing trips :)
 
CatGuy said:
My plan for "easing out" was to be less ambitious about the projects I undertook, and to make sure my employer hired my successor while I was still around (we're working on that part). I'm in more of a "keep the lights on" mode, and will be until August. When we finally get a new DBA in, I'll start turning over duties to them, and planning fishing trips :)
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I bet your employer was sorry to have you leave you sound like a great employee.
 
Lc jones said:
I bet your employer was sorry to have you leave you sound like a great employee.
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That's very kind of you, LC. I haven't left yet, but yes, they are sorry to see me go. I'm just pleased that I will be leaving their database systems in much better shape than I found them, and grateful for the opportunity they gave me.
 
My job was stressful so when the opportunity came I jumped at it. The company was downsizing and they were looking for volunteers to take a layoff so off I went. I had been plotting my savings vs. life expectancy and felt I was financially able.
 


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