Work to live, don't live to work

[Buttoneer]

Last edited Fri May 3, 2024, 09:53 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm looking to retire this year at the age of 63. I don't understand people who say, "I don't know what I'd do with myself if I retired". Unless you love what your do for work. IMHO

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. I'm 71 and I am an active partner in my company.

I get 10 emails a day that require active mind engagement. It's fine with me. Lots of time left to do other stuff.

[BOSSHOG]

2. I'll be 70 in later this month

Prioritize your physical and mental health. A wise old Doctor told me years ago, “move every day and when you think you’ve moved enough move some more.” Ya gotta keep the blood pumping. Check out any fitness programs for senior citizens. I’ve been amazed at the helpful stuff available. Get regular checkups. Preventive medicine beats the alternative.

I read about a fascinating mind exercise. Keep a diary of stuff ya want to write down. Nothing specific, just stuff. But. Write with your non dominant hand. Supposed to activate parts of your brain seldom used. I add to it every day.

Enjoy your retirement My Friend.

[Upthevibe]

3. Buttoneer.....

I turned 66 1/2 on March 1st. That now makes me eligible for my full Social Security. I spent all of my 401K in 2011-2012 to live on while I was having kind of a crisis at that time.

My Social Security should be enough added to an annuity of a couple of hundred a month that my mom left me and the two-three days I'll continue substituting teaching once the next school year starts.

I am thrilled to be retiring! For the first time in five years I won't have to scrape for work to earn money during the summer when there's no work for teachers.

I'm supposed to start getting my first Social Security payments in June for the months of March, April, and May. Then it'll come monthly on the last Wednesday of the month. Let's just say I'm relieved. I've worked my ass off for most of my life and I'm tired.

I have several things I plan on doing during my time including but not limited to focusing on my writing, volunteering (probably for Democratic candidates, and several other causes I'm passionate about like common sense gun laws), taking some improv classes, and offering my career counseling services to high schoolers.

I'm very happy for you too!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. I figured that out by the time I was twenty-five.

I'm glad I did. I'd gotten caught up in thinking I was my job, and then realized I wasn't. Actually, what happened was that I was working as an airline ticket agent at Washington National Airport (DCA) and then became a docent for the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian. The training they put us through to be able to do the highlights tour was amazing, and actually sent me back to school.

[3Hotdogs]

5. When I was around 67, I went hiking in a meadow in northern N.j. No cars were around. No people, other than fellow club

hikers.

Just birds, butterflies and later, the sound of a brook.

It was that day that I decided I would rather be in places like this than in an office, doing shit I didn't care about.

I gave 'em a couple'a weeks notice and have been happy ever since. I am now 81. I am out with the club least 3 times a week.

[OldBaldy1701E]

6. Exactly!

Now, convince the oligarchy that this is the case, and we might have a decent society after all!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (I knew I could not suggest that with a straight face. There is no way our modern society would even consider that anymore. We have to either die rich, or die making someone else rich. Hey, I didn't make the rules.)