[scottiee]

I too worry about how well I will do. Working all your adult life under pressure seems like it would be easy to leave however? Now it becomes real very real my wife and I just bought a house last Sat. We will retire in 2.5 years so we shall see.

[JGVillages]

With all The Villages has to offer to keep one active in retirement, with a little time invested looking for what you would like to do, it is not hard to to stay active 7 days a week. Yes there is an adjustment period. Take some time to find the activities that are appealing and take more time to learn how to relax during those gap periods between Golf / Pickle Ball / Water Volley Ball / Card Groups / Corvette Club meetings & activities. It is a new lifestyle after WORK. I have adjusted! Sorry. Got to go. Our Wisconsin Club Meeting starts in 45 minutes.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Originally Posted by fb32162

Anyone else find adjusting to retirement difficult? After decades of 60+ hr work weeks as a business executive, I was thrilled to be able to retire and live full time in TV. Now 3 months into it, I'm finding it very difficult to adjust to the slower pace. I've never had any hobbies and have never been a big "joiner" of clubs. I've explored a few hobbies and groups since moving here but none have appealed to me. I either swim or golf every day and I read a lot but that only kills a few hours a day. My career was so demanding, I never had time to be bored. It never occurred to me I would be bored in retirement. I've been told this is just a part of the adjustment phase. Any suggestions to assist my transition would be greatly appreciated

Originally Posted by Love2cruise

Fb32162, as said previously there are many volunteer opportunities here. As a former business executive have you heard of SCORE (Senior Core of Retired Executives). The focus is to mentor people that want to start up a new business. If you would like more information please pm me and I can provide you with some information. Good luck and give it some time, you will find a niche.

I too am facing the same thing in 12 days. Business will be sold. Last week while meeting with potential new client, I felt the rush of hunt and kill of new business. Wonder what will give me that same rush?

I will look into SCORE and if someone wants to start a transition group, I'd join.

[mrbgull]

It is whatever you make or want it to be. Have a plan. If you fail to plan, plan to fail

[Tennisnut]

I retired fairly early at 54 and always believed in balance in one's life. Eight hours of work, eight hours of sleep and 8 hours of personal life. I have been retired for 9 years and I found it a very easy transition to expand my interest outside of work. After all, I had 30 some years of doing one thing, hopefully I can spend 30 some years doing the things I enjoy outside of work! Unfortunately, I know some people have hard time transitioning from being who they are at work or being a mother (empty nest syndrome). Life is richer if you have multiple interests.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Every situation is different. Since owning my business I didn't have to go to the office daily, I did because I enjoyed my work (marketing agency) and enjoyed the folks I worked with, and most importantly had great clients that have turned into friends.

Always said I found a "hobby" where I could make money - work.

[tomjbud]

If you want to have a happy and fulfilling retirement, you have to get away from living your life like you still have a job. It's time to explore your creative side! Take some art or music classes, develop your spiritual side, and don't be afraid to try new things. This should be the happiest and most fulfilling time of your life - you are not tied to a job and you can do what you want to do. My son bought me a book called "What Color is Your Parachute? for Retirement" by Richard Bolles. It has really helped me to make the transition to thinking about retirement in a different light. Good luck as you move into this new and exciting stage of your life!

[smcgirl]

The adjustment seems much more difficult for my husband, which makes me feel kind of sad.i think it helps to know you are NOT alone. Take each day slowly, don't feel pressure to run 24/7.You don't have to be as busy as many of these bees!!!just a walk in the pool is great this time of year. Your idea of an adjustment group is great.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by smcgirl

The adjustment seems much more difficult for my husband, which makes me feel kind of sad.i think it helps to know you are NOT alone. Take each day slowly, don't feel pressure to run 24/7.You don't have to be as busy as many of these bees!!!just a walk in the pool is great this time of year. Your idea of an adjustment group is great.

Very Nice smc.

[rjm1cc]

Not at all ad normal.

[tainsley]

Volunteer!

[sunnyatlast]

Volunteering is so rewarding, and there are many opportunities with dozens of groups here. I look forward to going to work at my volunteer jobs, and I think part of it is that we have the freedom to say "no" to certain things and scheduling is according to what you can/want to do. It's also nice to be able to leave on vacation or to travel, without feeling so guilty as we did with paid jobs.

Also check out the many courses and trips at the Lifelong Learning College, here. See the course catalog on the left, under "Home".
http://thevillageslifelongcollege.com

[Nightengale212]

Originally Posted by Tennisnut

I retired fairly early at 54 and always believed in balance in one's life. Eight hours of work, eight hours of sleep and 8 hours of personal life. I have been retired for 9 years and I found it a very easy transition to expand my interest outside of work. After all, I had 30 some years of doing one thing, hopefully I can spend 30 some years doing the things I enjoy outside of work! Unfortunately, I know some people have hard time transitioning from being who they are at work or being a mother (empty nest syndrome). Life is richer if you have multiple interests.

I agree having multiple non work related interests would ease the retirement transition.

When I was in my late 30s with the blessing of my husband I left the nursing profession for a couple of years to pursue my dream of working in the travel industry. I was able to get a job as a tour director which was so much fun, and that transitioned into working as a tour guide at the Newport, R.I. Mansions which sparked my love of art history and led to taking courses at RISD in pursuit of an art history degree. Money got tight and I had to go back to nursing employment, but boy do I look forward to the day when I have the time again to pursue these enjoyable interests from my past and pursue a few news ones as well.

[irishamr]

I would like to share my experience with retirement. Much of what I feel has already been mentioned but I still feel I know even more. Does anyone realize living in The Villages you have more volunteers than you have positions available? People trying to learn or play social games are not truly welcome by the regulars. Many exercisers, golfers and pool regulars have become cliques that are hard to break into. What else is left, a life of solitude?? The College seems to repeat the same old, same old courses and we are way beyond them. Any comments would be appreciated.

[Blessed2BNTV]

I am enjoying reading this thread because now it's 11 days to official retirement. I am planning to volunteer, I have a passion for visiting the elderly who may not have family visiting often, I plan to take classes - never learned to cook very well.

I do look forward to our new life of active, social life.