In the time leading up to my retirement, if I had been given a dollar every time someone expressed disbelief that I would actually be content not working, I could have retired much earlier.
“But WHAT will you do?” and “Aren’t you afraid of being bored?” were common questions.
Focussed, organized, passionate and diligent, the words “relaxed” or “laid-back” were seldom used to describe me. Early on, I had begun to read much retirement research and had other research quoted to me. In short, it wasn’t good. With everything from failing health (due to the sudden decrease in activity and pace) to struggling marriages (due to the dramatically increased togetherness…and misplaced bossiness) it appeared the more driven one was in their work-life, the more dismal the predicted retirement outcome. I eventually gave myself a break from reading the research, stood with my husband on the retirement bridge and we leapt.
So far, on the other side of the bridge, the same “A-Type” features of my personality have actually become my saviour. Being cognizant of the research that I had read, I knew enough not to slow down abruptly. So I did in my retirement life what I did in my work life – I immersed myself. Housing, and then house set up took on a life on its own and included numerous intricate details which proved to be a fantastic transition from the world of work. I then did what every sixth grader who first starts Middle School knows to do, I got a copy of the activities sign-up book and I joined, and joined, and joined! Not all of the activities stuck (e.g. cake decorating…. I was a disaster)! But through the good and the bad, I was involved, present, met great people and continued learning about myself. And some of the activities did stick. I recently attended my 60th yoga class after joining only three months ago. Yoga has provided multiple benefits – physical fitness, mental relaxation, and meeting really cool and interesting people. As there are a variety of different classes nearby and a pay-one-price monthly pass, there is no excuse for me not to attend.
My husband recently commented on how at ease I seemed in retirement, and how well I have adapted. He has found his retirement transition to be a bit less seamless. Although he is happy to be retired, he misses the excitement of an international legal practice, the camaraderie with his colleagues and the daily challenges and responsibilities that his work provided. We both greatly enjoyed our jobs, appreciated our colleagues and, to a large extent, defined ourselves through our work.
What helps some people transition more smoothly into retirement than others? It is likely a myriad of factors, perspective playing a significant role. For me, I have felt a similar awe and wonder to my initial retirement as I did when I first began working internationally, and the first time that I stood in front my own classroom, 35 years ago, and began to teach. Viewing retirement as an exit or as an entry, as a new chapter, or a separate book closed, underscores everything else that follows.
With the combination of this perspective, and my driven personality, I have fully immersed myself into my retirement. I continue to wake up early with a burning sense of purpose – there are meals to be made, daily routines to address, yoga classes to dash off to, emails to answer, company to prepare for, reading that I want to do, blog posts to write, trips to plan, children and grandchildren to visit, new passions to explore… the list never runs dry – and it changes regularly. Yes the tasks are different from when I worked – which helps to makes even the mundane new and exciting. Also, after many years living overseas, I am immensely grateful to have regular, uninterrupted time with family, friends and self.
Although I am relatively new to retirement, I haven’t grown a third limb…at least not yet! My biggest take away from all of this? There is definitely cause for hope and optimism for driven personalities in retirement. Be true to yourself and play to your strengths. Go forth with a healthy mixture of pre-planning, openness and wonder. Talk to others about their retirement but know that the retirement experience cannot be forced and no two retirement experiences are the same. And on the flipside, don’t believe everything that everyone tells you. Your footprints into retirement will be unique to you–be thoughtful in preparing to shape what they will look like.
Retirement Reflections 
What beauty in this sentence: “But through the good and the bad, I was involved, present, met great people and continued learning about myself. “
LikeLike
I love that you still have “Write article for weekly newsletter” scheduled in your diary for Thursdays 🙂
Go Donna!
LikeLike
Very inspiring that you say “Go forth with a healthy mixture of pre-planning, openness and wonder.” Cool!
LikeLike
My favourite sentence, “…stood with my husband on the retirement bridge and we leapt.” Glad retirement is going well. It is also so great to have you guys close by. Island life brings out new perspectives for sure! 🙂
LikeLike
It is such fun to read about your
retirement. One of my favorite
things about being retired is never having to set the alarm clock. I have always thought that maintaining your body is a full time job!!! There are always more books on my list than I ever have time to read. We just finished doing a four day bike trip from Key Largo to Key West!!! We spend lots of time helping with our two grandsons, age for and seven. I find there is never a dull moment in retirement.
LikeLike
Again another great blog! I also believe that you just adjust your strengths and personality type to different avenues!! I just did two hours of line dance classes this afternoon! It reminded me of our days at Knox….teaching dance classes and our big school dance at the end of the unit!! Before that a 15 km bike ride…never enough time in the day to do all the things I would like to do! It is such a different life style here on Palm Springs for five months. Then back to Kelowna and another group of friends and activities…
LikeLike
Love reading your blogs Donna. While much of what you write resonates with me, it is particularly this blog that was of great interest. Many of my colleagues keep asking when I will go back to being a Head of School, however I am committed to developing my new career path and business, and need to give it a good ‘go’ before I work out what may be the next step. It is scary and challenging, however it is extremely rewarding. There is life beyond our current careers, and we need to take the great leap to find out for ourselves what that can look like:) One can make anything happen with a positive mindset and a commitment and saying ‘yes’ …. 🙂
LikeLike
So pertinent right now.
Really appreciate reading your newletter/blog
thanks so much for sharing Donna.
LikeLike
How intuitive you are, Donna👯 The blog is great reading, thank you.
LikeLike
Really enjoyed reading it. Do you go to Yoga from Monday to Friday like going to school? You are a super star!
LikeLike
Uninterrupted time for self? Woo hoo, sounds fantastic! I’m pre-planning already 🙂
LikeLike
Donna, this blog post makes me miss you tremendously. I just love how, even in writing, you manage to instill a sense of calm while communicating such wise advise. I recently made the decision to take a few months “off” to focus on my family, and my studies and what I’ve realized is, like you wrote, it’s all about perspective. Finally, I love how you included the metaphor of a 6th grader! You can take the principal out of middle school but you can’t take the middle school out of the principal. 🙂
LikeLike
Hooray!! It is such a joy to hear about your new adventures. I am also secretly thrilled to hear you have become a yogi 🙂 I will think of you now across the globe as I come to the mat when I do my morning practice. I look forward to hearing where your journey brings you next! Sending lots of love xx
LikeLike
I am dreading my retirement, when it comes around, and this gives me hope! Thanks for the tips Donna!
LikeLike
I have never doubted that you’d be bored in retirement. There will only be one question: What is that Donna up to this time?
LikeLike
Just getting caught up on FB and found your blog. Great reading! Not being anywhere near a type A, I found it very interesting, well-written and entertaining! I would love to follow your blog.
Linda Roberts
LikeLike
Thank you all for your comments. I greatly appreciate them. I have tried to reply to comments individually through email or FB. Keeping to my current Thursday schedule, my next post will be out this Thursday morning (BC time). Hope to see you then!
LikeLike
My husband also commented on how well I adjusted to my retirement. I tell him that I was meant for the retirement lifestyle, work was just the way I was able to get here.
LikeLike
Donna, I enjoyed your reflection on the “leap from the bridge.” I noticed in your comments on retirement research that you did not mention the Boeing study that found a negative correlation between age at retirement and death. It appeared those who took earlier retirement lived longer. A book that I would recommend for you and Richard is “Changing Lanes: Couples Refining Retirement” by Beverly Battaglia (2008). Bev found there were many books on retirement but none on retiring as a couple so she wrote one. It’s an interesting read.
LikeLike
Hi Sandra – My sincere apologies for my delay in replying (memo to self: always check spam folder for additional comments). Thank you for mentioning the Boeing study, and Beverly Battaglia’s book — I will definitely look them both up. One of the (many) books on retirement that I have read so far is Sara Yogev’s A Couple’s Guide to Happy Retirement: For Better or Worse…But Not for Lunch! It is definitely an interesting read, but did scare the heck out of me in parts. I also fell prey to trying out a few of the online life expectancy calculator’s (like https://www.livingto100.com/calculator) …. which all promptly took points off for earlier retirement. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing further readings, I greatly appreciate it.
LikeLike
I’m also seven months in and am amazed at how many people ask, “What on earth do you do all day?” I didn’t start teaching until I was 51. I’ve always been extremely high energy and that took me through 11 years of teaching 3rd grade. I loved it and then I felt it was time to move on. I feel fortunate that I was able to get insured through the Affordable Care Act as that was always the burning issue.
My husband and I’ve been Airbnb hosts for a year and half and absolutely love meeting people. We’ve made so many new friends around the world. I exchanged language lessons with a young man from Spain which reignited my desire to finally become fluent in Spanish. Through Meetup.com, I found a nearby Spanish conversation group. I went for the first time last week and had a blast. There were 14 people of all ages and backgrounds who just wanted to practice their Spanish. It meets weekly, so all I have to do is get used to drinking a latte at 7 p.m. That seems doable. I’m finding that the more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities appear.
LikeLike
You have taken your life forward…after all retirement is not a destination. I love your remark,” I continue to wake up early with a burning sense of purpose….” . I think that what makes us happy.
LikeLike
I think you sum it up nicely – viewing retirement as an entry…a new chapter. That’s what started our encore voyage…we viewed the whole deal as an encore – the next step. What do we want to do next? Everything is possible. Love your spirit!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Lynn. Yes, attitude definitely makes a difference. Thanks for following!
Donna
LikeLike
I used to be in a panic about the concept of “retiring” until I realized it’s actually just “rewiring.” I also gained comfort in learning about all the people who did their best work after the age of 50, including Michelangelo, DaVinci, Monet and Grandma Moses. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
LikeLike
Hi Glory – Thanks for reading and for commenting! Great point about Michelangelo, et al.
I have written a post inspired by our Ladies’ Lunch. It will come out next week. Hope to see you soon.
Donna
LikeLike
Thank you for introducing your blog to me in a comment on my blog! I’m going back to the beginning of your blog to catch up on your story now. But I just wanted to say it’s so nice to hear a new voice in the retirement blogosphere. I just added you to my blogroll so my readers can enjoy your fresh perspective too!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Syd! I appreciate being part of your blog roll. When I began planning my retirement, you were the first retirement blogger that I followed. Although I never commented (following blogs was new to me, so I really didn’t get the comment thing) your posts have been incredibly helpful.
I look forward to reading more!
LikeLike
Hi Donna, I’ve realised that it’s ok to ease up. Hence my new Retirement Mantra: repeat after me:
Do Less. Do It Slower.
LikeLike
Great mantra! For me, I think this mantra is just happening naturally.
My husband and I marvel at how, in our work lives, we were at the gym at 5:00 a.m. and at work by 7:00.
We are now awake fairly early, but we spend much time lounging and puttering before we are actually ready to go out the door.
LikeLike
Thanks Donna, this is great and we have so much in common!! Really enjoyed reading your story so thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Debbie – Thanks for reading this past post. I also went back and read a few of your past posts, “Flip to my Flop” and “Celebrating“. I love how we have so much in common. I look forward to reading more of your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Re-reading these comments now make me realise we still have so much in common and are even firmer friends than we were all those years ago! Happy days 🙂
LikeLike
This is so cool! I am delighted how friendship has grown and deepened (with regular Zoom chats)! I am incredibly grateful for this.
LikeLike
So glad to hear that you and your retirement are getting along so well 🙂 Thanks Donna for sharing this post at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I shared it on social media.
LikeLike
Thanks, Dee – I greatly appreciate the share. I’ve also shared this weekly link-up on my social media. I hope many more will continue to join us there!
LikeLike
Thank you for this insightful post. I am starting to think about my own retirement and wondering what this next chapter of my life will look like. It’s encouraging to hear from someone who successfully made the transition.
LikeLike
Hi, Christine – Thanks so much for stopping by. Planning your retirement is a very exciting time. If you have any questions that I can try to help answer for you, please do not hesitate to let me know.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for posting this! I’ve been a retired teacher for less than a year now and I have almost burned out doing all the things I said I would do when I had time. Now I’m at the other end of the spectrum, doing too little. I’ve got to find balance. Thanks for addressing this, it helps to hear of other’s experiences.
LikeLike
Hi, Jill – Thanks for stopping by. I’m a retired educator too. I agree with you that it’s all about balance. Since you felt you were close to burnout, maybe doing little for the time being has been your body’s and mind’s way of finding some balance. Once you’ve caught your breath, it is definitely time to experiment with things that you will enjoy doing in retirement. Remember, if we don’t use it, we lose it!
LikeLike
Thank you Donna. You give me hope and inspiration for my retirement in about five years. I am looking forward to the freedom to travel, write, read, work out on my own schedule and not be squeezing everything in around my 9-5, but I’m also a little nervous about getting lazy or bored. We’ll see. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi, Christie – Thanks for reading and commenting. Somehow, I already know you will never be lazy or bored in retirement!
LikeLike
Love, love, love this Donna! I admit I have a love/hate relationship with retirement. Some days I am happy to accept it other days I’m fighting it. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts and yes I love yoga as part of my regular fitness routine. I always feel so good after it and well done for 60 sessions in only a few months. Thanks for inspiring me to maybe organise my life a little more but also to include some flexibility. Great to have you link up with us at #MLSTL and have a beautiful week,my friend. xx
LikeLike
Thanks, Sue – This was the third blog post that I had ever written (January 2016). Re-reading it made me realize how much is still true 2.5 years later! Thank you, and Leanne, for hosting #MLSTL. I am greatly enjoying it!
LikeLike
Really enjoyed reading this as I’m thinking about retirement as my next Phase at the moment. I’m encouraged by your experiences and advice
LikeLike
Hi, Jennifer. Thank you for stopping by, and for your kind words. Retirement truly is a great gig. I am off to visit your site now!
LikeLike
Hi Donna – I really enjoyed reading this post. It’s A plus plus, and Wow, the 3rd blog post that you had ever written. Amazing! I’m glad I found your site.
LikeLike
Hi, Natalie – Thank you so much for your kind words. I think that we found each other via Sue (Sizzling Toward Sixty). I, too, am very glad that we did!
LikeLike
Love your energy and commitment to try new things. Yes, you’ve got the retirement gig sussed I reckon! I haven’t been very good at joining joining joining since we moved back to South West Australia and am enjoying a little bit of reclusivity BUT I know I must get out there and Act Belong and Commit more. Thanks for showing me the way!
Have a wonderful Easter!
Cheers Jo xox
https://lifestylefifty.com
LikeLike
Hi, Jo – Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting. “Act, Belong and Commit”….I absolutely LOVE that! I will be borrowing it!
LikeLike
I’m a Type A personality too Donna but I think I’ll cope quite well with retirement. Both my husband and myself are working part-time now so we are learning to fill our non-work days with pursuits that interest us so it won’t be a huge transition. It was nice to read how you coped with it all because it gives me hope for when I embark on full-time retirement – I just have to find a yoga class or two! Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared this on my SM xx
LikeLike
Hi, Leanne – Easing into retirement by working part-time is highly recommended by researchers, especially for A-Type Personalities. Sounds like you and your husband are on the right track. I look forward to reading about your adventures to retirement.
Thank you for hosting #MLSTL. I am greatly enjoying it!
LikeLike
I worried when I first retired that I would be bored and start looking for a part-time job but that hasn’t happened. I love being retired and keeping my own pace at whatever I choose.
LikeLike
Hi, Victoria – I too originally thought that I should get a part-time job in retirement. But seriously, when would we find the time?
LikeLike
Donna, love that you pulled an old post into #MSTL… and it’s still so appropriate! I loved the statement about the litany of things that you could be doing each day… that still sums up retirement to me and one I could steal and rewrite for myself even this week! “meals to be made, yoga/zumba class to dash off to, reading that I want to do, blog posts to write, trips to plan, new passions to explore.” Yes, everybody’s footprints into retirement will be unique … retirement = fill in you’re own litany.
LikeLike
Hi, Pat – Thanks for commenting. Since this was the third post that I had ever written – back in January 2016 – i figured it was a good bet that most #MLSTL readers had not seen it. I was surprised how much of it still held true today. I fully agree that retirement = fill your own litany. You are most welcome to steal away!
LikeLike
Thanks for the hope and advice, Donna. I am excited for retirement, but also a little nervous about staying connected and fulfilled. It’s nice to know others have successfully gone before me. I am thrilled by the idea of being able to wake up naturally, exercise during the day, and travel without worrying about using vacation days or the work that’s piling up in my absence.
LikeLike
Hi, Christie – Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Although I LOVE retirement, I also greatly enjoyed my career…and my time leading up to retirement. Enjoy every minute of Now – Now is also a very special time.
LikeLike
Very useful and lovely post where you lay your retirement success at the door of your awareness that retirement too needs to be handled with care. I love the idea of yoga classes. I used to enjoy them before I got a job and now have to practice by myself at home.
LikeLike
Hi, Kalpanaa – Thank you so much for dropping by and for your kind words. I agree that regular yoga classes can be very beneficial. I’ve let yoga slip this month….definitely a good time to get back to it!
LikeLike
I love your posts Donna, this has struck a cord with me, mainly because since finishing work over a year ago I still can’t call it retirement. To be honest I’m not sure what it’s called, I think I’m in limbo land. I’m not working, but not drawing on the retirement finance pot as such yet. My partner still works & like you I am so busy I couldn’t possibly fit in a job now. I should write a post on it really because I do think I’m suffering from post work guilt? You’ve made me think 🤔 I do love your blog!! X
LikeLike
HI, Sam – You’ve zoomed in perfectly on what I love most about this little corner of the blogging world. Repeatedly, we connect with others, discover thoughts that deeply resonate, are challenged and inspired. Before I pressed ‘publish’ on my first post, I never realized that this existed. I definitely encourage you to write that post. I would love to read it! Thank you for your very kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome & yes if I can figure out how I actually feel about retirement or decide whether I am or not retired I’ll write it, but it’d all be a little jumbled up if I wrote it now 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great article!!!
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by. Greatly appreciated!
LikeLike
So true, Donna although I notice men struggle a little more to adapt to a radical change, than women. With a bit of planning and an open-minded attitude, retirement can be as fulfilling as our working life. My writing career has certainly blossomed since giving away work in the health field. Who would have thought? New house, new friends and a new life. I am content!
LikeLike
When my husband and I were retiring, all beats from our friends and colleagues were that Richard would adjust more quickly to retirement than I would. The exact opposite was true. Sometimes, you never can tell! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. I guess that surprised your friendship group.
LikeLike
Absolutely! 😀
LikeLike
I’m pretty new since I just retired late 2023. I never anticipated enough time consumed by dealing with several pension management firms and finalizing their info. or getting updated info. on payments. And then ISP changes and account changes because of 2 national telecoms merged, clean-up of software files because of using home desktop for work, etc. I am finding more time now spent with some friends which has been great and good. None of these friendships are from work. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Jean – Thank you for stopping by. Yes, there can absolutely be tons of paperwork in the transition to retirement. I’m glad to read that you’ve also made time for nonwork friends. Friendships and relationships are the integral thread of positive aging (and most successful retirements). ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
totally agree on friendships.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Social integration is repeatedly listed by researchers as the number one factors contributing to longevity! ❤
LikeLike