Retirement: Week One

[356]

Retirement: Week One!

After I let our board know my plans to retire in early December, things moved a bit differently than expected, and the board has been so kind as to grant me a sabbatical until September, when I’ll officially stop getting pay and benefits. So, I am now functionally retired!

Social Security says my first payments started back in 1975 when I was 14. Hard to believe that was 51 years ago. My wife retired in 2023 and started SS that December, and I’m planning to start mine in October.

Here’s what’s going to change:

A) I’ll be taking things a bit slower with the farm and habitat work, instead of trying to get everything done in a hurry. Pace, not Rush.
B) I’ll be making more time for drives, having lunch with my wife, and reading.
C) I’ll be stopping to enjoy the little things, like visiting historical markers, interesting shops, and vegetable stands.
D) I’ll be spending more time with the grandkids (we have ten!).
E) I’ll be spending more time with our church small group and friends.

Here’s what won’t change:

A) I’ll still get up early to enjoy my quiet time before the farm wakes up.
B) I’ll still feel like I never have enough time to get everything done.
C) I’ll still be reading and writing (a lot)
D) I’ll still be mentoring our next generation of leaders.
E) I’ll still be enjoying each new day as a gift from God.

Obviously, there are a lot of unknowns, but I am looking forward to this new season and the assignments it will bring.

 

[swat1018]

Congratulations! I retired January 2024 at 55. I tell people that I'm busier now than ever before, and I worked 2 jobs half my life. I thought many of the same things you are, but it's hard to re-wire your brain. I've never done anything slow and pace myself, and I still can't. We do a lot more to help friends, neighbors, and our churches. The wife is a fitness freak, so she keeps me in shape. We walk 5.5 miles just about every morning. If you aren't physically active, I'd definitely put that in your routine.

 

[cbw]

Congratulations, [mention]365 [/mention]! Love to see your intentionality and your openness to share.


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[Westwind]

Congrats 356! My experience with retirement is a lot like swat1018, lol!

I think it is good to have a plan and say it out loud like you did. That probably helps to put the plan into action.

 

[BC Buck]

Two years now and time flies. I have found myself sleeping till 5am. Join a gym to keep body functioning, as posted.

 

[Bill]

Congratulations on the retirement. I'm with @swat1018, not forced to be but I'm busier than ever. Currently the supervisor and labor on a kitchen remodel at my son's house. I'm behind on building a play set for the grandkids and I haven't planted anything yet.

Things will be a bit more hectic than you realize. But in a good way.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Congrats 356. Must be a great feeling. Not quite there yet myself....but getting real close.

The key is to not let the old man in.

 

[356]

Thanks for the kind works and encouragement. I'm already staying busy. For the next five Sundays I am working with a church down in the Ozarks. I'll plan to resume a little teaching--I'm already scheduled for two doctoral seminars (which take 5 hours per week for 15 weeks each) for the 2026-27 academic year, and will serve on a few dissertation committees. These will bring in a little income and keep my mind sharp.

A trip to the New England states to see the fall colors is in the works. My wife has never been to the New England states, so that will be our trip this fall. In March we will go to Orlando to visit friends, then drive to Key West. The plans for this trip include ocean kayak fishing, which will be a first for me. Another 2027 goal is a spring bear hunt in Manitoba.

Now that I am retired, I will hunt the 40 acre southern Missouri Ozarks property for the first time since purchasing it over a decade ago. My plan is to take our small camper and hunt for several days. This property butts up to a fairly remote part of the Mark Twain National Forest, so my hunting will be on private and public. Here is the link to a post about the property from 2023.

The key is to not let the old man in.

A good word! The old man is at the door, but by God's grace, I don't plan to let him in!
My wife already has me working on the garden this morning :-)

 

[roymunson]

Man, its the thing we all look forward to. But I watched my dad go thru it and it's a serious mental thing.

Going from 30 years of being needed and applying yourself against the world to realizing that maybe it goes on even better without you is tough.

It also exposes how much of this is your identity and how much you may have been self medicating some things with work.
I've got another 10+ til I'm there, but I admit, I'm addicted to the action.

I particularly liked the part where you said you're moving to a position of influence for the next generation. THAT is ageless and a great mindset to have.
I also plan to enjoy being with my wife then. If I worked my whole life, raised kids, made money, but hate being at home with her, what was the point?

Congrats man. You've made it.

 

[pilotpip]

Congrats!

Watching my father in law, he's never been busier than he is currently. However, he's busy with all the things he could never do because the man was taking his time. My dad to a slightly lesser extent, but both are enjoying the rewards of long and hard careers. I hope you do the same!

 

[Bill]

Going from 30 years of being needed and applying yourself against the world to realizing that maybe it goes on even better without you is tough.

A lot to unpack there. I went from the go to guy to just a guy. I was wheeling and dealing and closing some of the best contracts I’d ever seen. The next day ho hum. But I sold so I picked the ho hum.

As you say thankfully my wife and I actually like each other a lot. Because 24/7 is a new deal. I soon enjoyed helping her with a grand daughter. And all the grand children.

I swore I’d spend more time at the farm and doing more habitat work. But that just hasn’t happened. I’m ok with that because what’s happening is better.