I guess I would have liked retirement better if I played better golf:D

It seems like all of my life I worked. When we were kids we worked for the family business. We worked real jobs summers after we turned 16. I became a VP of a company and worked or did required volunteer work easily 60-70 hours a week. I was a bit scared the day I turned in my laptop and business cell and retired. My husband took me on a vacation the first week. I have never once missed working and totally enjoy my freedom. Nope, I don't do a lot of clubs or volunteer work or even golf. I don't want to be tied down to anything. We do have a boat we enjoy using. We are totally loving being "slugs". We have been able to take advantage of some last minute specials for vacations and just jump in a car and take off for a few days on a whim. I love retirement.

Thank you ! Those who honestly expressed your frustration with retirement! It has been a concern for us ... Your posts have validated our difficulties in TV . Yes, we can join the myriad of clubs,sports and volunteer positions BUT some of us are not the social butterfly types. After many years here , lord knows how many of the above we have participated in,with and on. The end result is been there done that...now what? We are love our cruises( when we can afford them) We have expanded our

I think there are three things that make a big difference to your happiness here. Your neighborhood, for one. We live in an exceptionally friendly neighborhood. People knew we were coming and came by to welcome us when we showed up. There are card games (beginners welcome and coaching available) and block parties. People stop to chat on the street. Being extroverted helps a lot, too. You need to join things and get involved. If there's not a group that interests you, you have to be willing to start one. The third thing that helps is knowing people who already live here. We have very good friends who have owned here for a while and lived here full time for 2 years. They went way out of their way to make us feel at home.

I was able to retire at 61 after working in industry for ~40 years. I formed my own consulting company and work on projects with people I enjoy working with. I fish in the ponds, play in a billiards league, play water volleyball 3-4 times/week. We joined a few social clubs. I have no interest in golf at this point. I enjoyed playing pickleball, but I am no longer "authorized" (by the boss:) to play. During our morning coffee while reading the paper and watching the news, my wife will ask me what's on my schedule--my reply is "I'm booked" -translation, no time for the honeydo list. I also go to the Seabreeze gym every day. We are thoroughly enjoying TV!

I truly hope you find and explore what your passion may be. Have you considered going outside the community to volunteer? The area schools would probably welcome you with open arms. With budget cuts in every state, the schools are in need of someone to read to a class, go on a field trip, or set up an art show.

I've seen posts on this forum with people looking for someone to play golf or participate in some other activity. Posting here may help you and others, find someone with shared interests.

You had some very valid feelings in your post. We're in PA and can't be of too much help, but hope someone reading this thread will respond or send you a PM to begin what may be a mutually beneficial friendship.

Different strokes. . .
 

I have 4 retired girlfriends in the Columbus area that I see a lot of when back for the summer. Each one has somewhat different interests and retirement solutions.

One, who retired as an executive at a large healthcare insurance co., sells Medicare supplements and advantage plans. Really knows her stuff, loves working and gets her personal satisfaction there. Plus it's mainly seasonal - medicare re-enrollment time. She's been doing it about 3 years and is now getting lots of referrals because her customers are so pleased with her - because she truly doesn't care which policy she sells, just wants people to be well-matched. She also, with her husband, helps out their son and his family with occasional baby-sitting and home improvements.

Another, who has mostly been a stay-at-home mom and homemaker, loves to improve her already nice house - that's her thing. I think they may even move to another high-maintenance, large, expensive home that needs remodeled and redecorated (because she loves to do this as does her husband, who is very handy). She says so what if they get too old to handle stuff - that's maybe when they will downsize - or not. I am sure that if she were in The Villages, she would be moving every 2 or 3 years just to redo houses.

The other 2 are single women. One is a big-time gardener, and what you might call a lifelong learner. She takes various college classes that interest her - right now taking one called "Women in Literature." Joined a book club at the Art Museum this year - in past years she's done other stuff. Before that it was professional landscaping classes. And she volunteers with an arboretum helping to organize their spring plant sale. She has no children and makes a point to meet and make friends with other single women who act as an unofficial support group when one of them has health issues. She has also done a lot of interesting travel.

The other loves to play games, belongs to a gaming club (board games, mostly) and has learned to play mah jongg and going to take bridge lessons this winter. She also travels with other single friends and occasionally babysits a 2 yr old granddaughter in Georgia.

Lots of different things - just have to figure it out.

This is a great thread. I still work full time from home but wonder what it will be like when I'm able to retire. I have always planned on slowing down and not just all of a sudden being retired. Does that affect your social security? I thought you were supposed to make as much as you could your last 5 years or so. Still really confusing.

I know when my father retired, he lost all interests as he was not making money. The chase of the money was his thing!! All articles say to ease into retirement, thinking of how one wants to fill their day. Many good suggestions were given but I would look closely at the REC news in Thursday paper, and start filling your calendar with the things that interest you.

Many things you do, without being a social butterfly. Just be friendly to everyone, and your world will open up. Remember the old saying, "half the world is waiting for the other half to say hello".

Good luck in filling up your day. :smiley:

My greatest joy in retirement is the fact that I have not, nor do I need to "fill up my day".

I walked across campus today in the beautiful 70 degree weather, greeting students and getting to spend time in the library doing research. As I headed toward my car I realized that I wasn't ready to say "goodbye" to teaching or my students. This thread has got me doing some serious thinking. When will I be ready? Will I be able to let go? What will life be like if I feel like I'm not contributing? How important is that really? And finally, how will my husband, who has never sat still a moment in his life, be able to give up working and just relax? I expect his consulting business will follow him to Florida, and he will never really retire. Is that really so horrible? So many questions. And no real answers because everyone deals with retirement differently. I love the idea of a transition group and hope one exists when I finally get to TV. If it doesn't, I'll start one.

Wait until you're walking across that beautiful campus in a foot of snow. Retirement will look more appealing.

So true. Especially when the wind blows.

It took me a year or two to adjust. After a high octane career I retired early at 53 ten years ago. Initially went to new job interviews (turned several job offers down), volunteered, and did some sales because in retirement a schedule, accomplishment and commitment were missing. Finally I settled into doing HS substitute teaching (which filled the need to contribute something meaningful and interact with students and teachers) and also did insurance inspections on the side. Now that I'm in TV I may volunteer or do some teaching and enjoy new friends, travel, and active sports. I know another poster mentioned that it is hard to break into the established groups ( it happened to me as well) but it is easy enough to do if you are not shy and you will be accepted over time - try the newer areas south of rt 466 since pretty much every one is trying to find their niche as well. Retirement reminds me of the same predicament we were in when going off to college - how am I going to fit in, what will I major in and what am I going to do when I grow up and graduate.

Adjusting to retirement
 

I just happen to see your post. I am a Villages
Wanna be. Trying to sell some property
To be able to move there. I am surprised you
Are having difficulty adjusting to retirement
But I do understand adjusting down from
A 60 hour week. I retired from my position
As an IT Project Manager in 2007 and was
Working 60+ hours weekly. But, I think
What helped me was pursuing a 2 day a
Week job. I believe going directly from
60+ to nothing would be an adjustment.
I have 4 friends that currently live in The
Villages and they are so busy they can't
Find free time. Maybe you just need a little
More time.