Originally Posted by LuckyS

Retire, sell a house, buy a house, move, all MAJOR life moments. Lumping them all into one big event has to be a lot to deal with.

We did this. Did the preview plan in January, retired in February, bought a house in March, moved here in August and sold our house up north in October. That was last year and we are happy as clams. I think readiness is everything. I was totally burned out from years of high stress and long hours and I do not miss it at all.

[Chi33]

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

I couldn’t wait to retire and make that move to the Villages. But now that I retired, I lack motivation and always think the worse.

We are the same

[Allegiance]

Originally Posted by Chi33

We are the same

Sounds like another club is needed. Anyone can Make a club. Make the name creative.

"I am here, now what?"

"Is this all there is?"

[manaboutown]

I like the above suggestion. Call it the "Now What?" or "What now?" club.

[Allegiance]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

I like the above suggestion. Call it the "Now What?" or "What now?" club.

"Leisureville, I read the book, now what?"

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

Yes. Being spiritual I try to ask God to guide me. I think a lot of us do get the respect and self esteem from working. I was just a secretary but I was appreciated by my own little staff. Always saying they would not know what they would do without me. I ran the office. Unfortunately I also worked for government and the higher ups just thought I was replaceable for less money when I tried to return. It can be upsetting.

Administrative Support personnel provide valuable services to their employers. With your background, I bet there are many non-profit organizations that could use your help, even if it is on a volunteer basis. Check out volunteermatch.org for some ideas if volunteering is something you are interested in.

I have been working full-time since 1983. I am hoping in 7 or 8 years from now that I can transition to a part-time (25 hrs) position; hoping to be living in The Villages by then. I hope to be able to spend more time volunteering and enjoying being out of the 40 hour week grind plus another 8+ hours a week commuting to and from work.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by Fredster

Years ago a co-worker shared a saying with me that his uncle Tony told him, it was “We work to live, we don’t live to work!”
I always felt that was a wise outlook, and never forgot it!

That is a very wise saying!

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

My only regret is that I didn't retire sooner. I can't understand how I got everything done with about 60 hours less free time every week? There isn't nearly enough time in the day for everything I want to do. As long as I am healthy, I will never get bored. Too many people wok so long that when they finally retire their health is failing and they can't stay active. My advise would be to retire as soon as financially possible. The way I look at it, every day That I went to work was one day closer to my death where I would rather have been doing something else. I feel bad for people whose life is their work.

So agree with you, I have a friend/former coworker, she is age 73, and she still works full-time. She has put her health at risk (she is diabetic and unfortunately is battling cancer) because she "has to be at work; the work is piling up." I told my friend that if she meets her maker tomorrow, her employer will either hire someone else to do her job or give her duties to another person(s) at her office. Every employee is replaceable, and in the 21st century very few employers value long-term, loyal employees...I speak from personal experience on this.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by Nucky

In my opinion calling them during work hours is just going to keep you stuck in Neutral or Reverse. It's time to move Forward. I wouldn't do it. Done is Done.

I just saw your post about counseling. I found out it's the in thing to do. It carries no stigma anymore, I never knew it. Where I'm from you don't tell your problems to anybody you just tough it out. I disagree, I don't want to hurt one minute more than absolutely necessary. Wish I knew this a long time ago I could have saved a lot of pain.

You're going to be GOLD in as short a period of time as you say you are ok a counselor will help. Tell them everything on your mind. We are rooting for you.

Excellent post!

[TOMCAT]

Originally Posted by Schaumburger

So agree with you, I have a friend/former coworker, she is age 73, and she still works full-time. She has put her health at risk (she is diabetic and unfortunately is battling cancer) because she "has to be at work; the work is piling up." I told my friend that if she meets her maker tomorrow, her employer will either hire someone else to do her job or give her duties to another person(s) at her office. Every employee is replaceable, and in the 21st century very few employers value long-term, loyal employees...I speak from personal experience on this.

You are right very few employees are valued anymore. At my job they should be because they get the work done. I worked for the government and I see what goes around. Some doing as little as possible because they will not get fired. I wasn’t like that. Actually I put my house up for sale last year and got a buyer right away. They are even willing to wait for us to move.

My son is getting married in April and my husband wants to wait until he gets married and move. This is what is killing me. I should not have retired so soon.
I have been having conversations with you before and we both talking about moving to TV. My mind keeps on changing back and forth about moving but I think we will move. We cannot afford to live here and live in a bigger house, with the snow (it is suppose to snow today) and high taxes.

But my retirement wasn’t planned and I took an early buyout. Have I planned it better, I think I would have felt better. That is a major decision and I think my job should have given us more time to think perhaps 3 weeks instead of 1 to come back.

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

You are right very few employees are valued anymore. At my job they should be because they get the work done. I worked for the government and I see what goes around. Some doing as little as possible because they will not get fired. I wasn’t like that. Actually I put my house up for sale last year and got a buyer right away. They are even willing to wait for us to move.

My son is getting married in April and my husband wants to wait until he gets married and move. This is what is killing me. I should not have retired so soon.
I have been having conversations with you before and we both talking about moving to TV. My mind keeps on changing back and forth about moving but I think we will move. We cannot afford to live here and live in a bigger house, with the snow (it is suppose to snow today) and high taxes.

There are actually jobs in Florida if you get here and decide you want to work. Many of my neighbors still work. Stop seeing the glass as half empty and start seeing the wonderful possibilities.

[TOMCAT]

Originally Posted by Schaumburger

So agree with you, I have a friend/former coworker, she is age 73, and she still works full-time. She has put her health at risk (she is diabetic and unfortunately is battling cancer) because she "has to be at work; the work is piling up." I told my friend that if she meets her maker tomorrow, her employer will either hire someone else to do her job or give her duties to another person(s) at her office. Every employee is replaceable, and in the 21st century very few employers value long-term, loyal employees...I speak from personal experience on this.

I had a friend that I worked with and did not make it to retirement. She died on Thanksgiving Day last year preparing dinner alone (she was a widow for a very long time). She was 70 and I believe she was going to retire the following year. Her son found her dead on the kitchen floor. She died of a heart attack.

[TOMCAT]

Originally Posted by fw102807

There are actually jobs in Florida if you get here and decide you want to work. Many of my neighbors still work. Stop seeing the glass as half empty and start seeing the wonderful possibilities.

That was my husband and I were both talking about. Both getting little part time jobs for a little spending money. We will see when we get down there.

[Allegiance]

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

I had a friend that I worked with and did not make it to retirement. She died on Thanksgiving Day last year preparing dinner alone (she was a widow for a very long time). She was 70 and I believe she was going to retire the following year. Her son found her dead on the kitchen floor. She died of a heart attack.

Your original post stated financial uncertainties. If you have a large paid for home on long Island and a husband on a pension you are gold. Sell and get to the villages.

Having health and financial Security and living in the villages is the TRIPLE play of retirement!

It does not get any better. Come enjoy paradise.

[TOMCAT]

Originally Posted by Allegiance

Your original post stated financial uncertainties. If you have a large paid for home on long Island and a husband on a pension you are gold. Sell and get to the villages.

Having health and financial Security and living in the villages is the TRIPLE play of retirement!

It does not get any better. Come enjoy paradise.

We are planning to come down late March, early April to find a house. Waiting until after the New York winter. We both do not want to travel in winter with delays and cancellations in airports due to winter storm.