I've decided to retire.

[Ms. Toad]

46. Go for it!

I was involuntarily retired in 2022, when the Dean got kicked back to the classroom. He was pissed at the world and decided to do some damage on the way out. As a contract employee terminated for no reason, he couldn't actually get me out of the building for 6 (short of just paying me for 6 months to twiddle my thumbs. So I choose to retire at 6 months and a few days with full retirement hoopla - before the termination could take effect.

I ran the numbers on both SS and my state pension. If be in my 90s before it would have been financially better for me to keep working.

From the moment I retired. I loved it! I had a lifetime of, "I'll do this when I have time" built up. So I'm more working on a BFA in photography (and an back in the darkroom for the first time in decades), growing heirloom tomatoes from seeds I save each year, acting in musicals twice a year, going on at least one dive trip a year, baking sourdough bread, and getting a full night's sleep every night!

It took me a while to get over the resentment I had about why I retired. But most of the time now when I'm asked about retirement, my answer is an unqualified, "I love it!"

At some point, I might go to work just for fun. I've had a small interest in working at Starbucks, since I've never had a food service job - but it truly would be on the category of, "of I'd like to do this when I have time,"

My spouse, on the other hand, refuses to retire. She doesn't want to sit around watching TV all day (which she would do, except for brief periods when she decides to do some work somewhere, on the spur. of the moment that I need to be involved with). I didn't understand someone who is on several boards, and is involved with charity work not being able to find things to do in retirement. But there you have it.

Enjoy retirement!