Being retired; painful

Heading to a slightly early retirement end of August. Was offered an opportunity to apply for what would have been an excellent end of career job, something that I had aspired to but had given up on. I was encouraged to apply, which I did. Completely out of character I was walking buy a street vendor, Tarot Card reader a couple of weeks ago and a I wondered what would be said. She asked me what I was interested in, any dilemmas, and I said work, retirement, and my adult children's lack of direction.

She dealt the cards, and it was weirdly relevant, 7 card spread, 2 rows of three, with the 7th laid in front of her on the centre line of the two rows. To her right was work, to her left was retirement. The 7th card was what grounded me, my being, the 8 of cups, a water card. The bloke on the 8 of cups was looking to the left, towards retirement, back to the work side, and the card means letting go of things. Apparently where a figure card looks is more relevant. On my work side the death card took the centre position, upside down, meaning fearing change and resistance to change. The 8 of cups was looking at The Chariot, upside down, major arcana, on my retirement side, which meant a fear of change, a fear of losing control and a lack of focus.

I have a number of irons in the fire, a couple of boats, maybe start a sailing school, or a charter company, skippered cruises, or just go exploring again (I used to sail professionally a long time ago), my main boat is all set up for that. However, I am dithering over what to do, and the job opportunity and application was not expected.

Based on the weirdly relevant Tarot reading, I pulled the job application and will continue with the retirement option. I am not setting up anything and will sail and explore as I wish. As for my kids, there was a card, and I can't remember it, that basically said, don't worry, they are not an issue.

To be honest, elderly parents, carer role, was meaning that I really had not thought through the new work opportunity, as it was in Europe, so even without the Tarot, I was very likely going to pull the application. I guess the way the Tarot is written really allows a standard set of interpretations that can be relevant, no matter the personal circumstances, or am I just kidding myself!

I can't wait for retirement, very excited, very fortunate.
 
lustyd said:
Same thing really. Some people will never have enough money while the rest of us must eventually make what we have do what we need. We retired by using Excel to work out the smallest amount we’d need to live and travel, and that number will vary for everyone. Instead of the boat we wanted we left on the boat we had.
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Whilst pondering the possibilities and caution said 'stay ' redundancies came up and an opportunity to leave. After much heart searching took the leap, things would be tight but.......
After 18 months realised outgoings had reduced considerably, things looking good and started enjoying the freedom and doing what we wanted.
18 years later enjoying the good life. Hoping the weather holds as head off for 8 weeks sailing. 😀😃
 
RunAgroundHard said:
Heading to a slightly early retirement end of August. Was offered an opportunity to apply for what would have been an excellent end of career job, something that I had aspired to but had given up on. I was encouraged to apply, which I did. Completely out of character I was walking buy a street vendor, Tarot Card reader a couple of weeks ago and a I wondered what would be said. She asked me what I was interested in, any dilemmas, and I said work, retirement, and my adult children's lack of direction.

She dealt the cards, and it was weirdly relevant, 7 card spread, 2 rows of three, with the 7th laid in front of her on the centre line of the two rows. To her right was work, to her left was retirement. The 7th card was what grounded me, my being, the 8 of cups, a water card. The bloke on the 8 of cups was looking to the left, towards retirement, back to the work side, and the card means letting go of things. Apparently where a figure card looks is more relevant. On my work side the death card took the centre position, upside down, meaning fearing change and resistance to change. The 8 of cups was looking at The Chariot, upside down, major arcana, on my retirement side, which meant a fear of change, a fear of losing control and a lack of focus.

I have a number of irons in the fire, a couple of boats, maybe start a sailing school, or a charter company, skippered cruises, or just go exploring again (I used to sail professionally a long time ago), my main boat is all set up for that. However, I am dithering over what to do, and the job opportunity and application was not expected.

Based on the weirdly relevant Tarot reading, I pulled the job application and will continue with the retirement option. I am not setting up anything and will sail and explore as I wish. As for my kids, there was a card, and I can't remember it, that basically said, don't worry, they are not an issue.

To be honest, elderly parents, carer role, was meaning that I really had not thought through the new work opportunity, as it was in Europe, so even without the Tarot, I was very likely going to pull the application. I guess the way the Tarot is written really allows a standard set of interpretations that can be relevant, no matter the personal circumstances, or am I just kidding myself!

I can't wait for retirement, very excited, very fortunate.
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It doesn’t matter how you reach your decisions in life....mine have mostly been serendipity...as long as it’s the right decision for you
 
This is what this evening’s dog walk looked like



Between the vine and the sea…pretty much sums up our retirement…and when the weather plays ball we go a boating. Later on we will be off to Italy for the opera …I enjoy the theatre and art galleries…people think that Dr JohnAlison is the only cultured one here…it’s not true,…I’m partially cultured.
It may seem hedonistic…but there’s no birds or drugs (actually there are pink flamingos and enough prescription drugs to make me rattle when I walk).
Retirement should be embraced…not feared…it’s the next stage…the fear really comes from worrying about what happens next. But that we can’t control
 
Bouba said:
This is what this evening’s dog walk looked like



Between the vine and the sea…pretty much sums up our retirement…and when the weather plays ball we go a boating. Later on we will be off to Italy for the opera …I enjoy the theatre and art galleries…people think that Dr JohnAlison is the only cultured one here…it’s not true,…I’m partially cultured.
It may seem hedonistic…but there’s no birds or drugs (actually there are pink flamingos and enough prescription drugs to make me rattle when I walk).
Retirement should be embraced…not feared…it’s the next stage…the fear really comes from worrying about what happens next. But that we can’t control
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Cultured as in what you might find in a Petri dish.
 
Skylark said:
114 posts, mostly from people who have retired.

May I take this opportunity to thank the tiny numbers of “workers” for paying into the State to fund an active retirement for the rest of us 👍
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Most of us pensioners in the UK tax system are still paying the money into the government pot.
The state pension amount for a single person is just about the same as the untaxed income amount.
All our company / private pensions are taxed at the same rates as pay.
We only don't pay national insurance, which isn't reserved for pensions or NHS anyway.
 
Skylark said:
114 posts, mostly from people who have retired.

May I take this opportunity to thank the tiny numbers of “workers” for paying into the State to fund an active retirement for the rest of us 👍
Click to expand...
A private pension is a delayed salary. We agreed to take it later in life.
 
I retired three years ago, was running out of steam and had a good offer I couldn’t refuse. The big thing for me that troubled me greatly in my early retirement months was losing the identity I’d built, I was no longer defined by what I did. Bit like a bereavement. I found that very difficult. Then - … as many others above have suggested - keep busy, keep fit and active. Offer your time and skills as a volunteer (National Trust and a concert hall in my case). See your friends, go boating. Take holidays. Revisit old interests. Drink beer.
 
Bouba said:
In these kinds of discussions…it really highlights how important ´the boat’ is in our lives. Almost a rock or place of safety
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Very much so.

The boat has been essential to my wellbeing for some years while working. A motivation and reward for continiung with working.

I hope the wellbeing aspecbrprovided by the boat will continue in retirement which starts imminently.
 
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