Pretending to be retired.
 

Took this week off of work. I have a standing request to “take an additional week off” if I feel like it.

Besides letting my tongue heal from my “episode” where I face-butted my own arm. It’s been pretty spectacular.

I NEVER take time off just to stay home. It’s awesome! I’m looking at it as a trial run to see ...no, to hopefully catch a glimpse of retirement. I know it won’t be the same. For the first time ever, I charged up my work phone and iPad and shut them off and put them into a drawer. No more “bing” indicating the newest email fire that needs extinguishing. I’m blowing them all off!

I’ve been fishing, cooking, tootleling around the house, watering my garden, etc. gearing up to go mtn-biking now. I have even tried taking naps! I love naps! Naps! Who knew!

Retirement- I’m ready mentally. I’m not ready financially or age-wise. Faack!

You retired people. I am truly envious. You did well to get there. Proud of you. Haha.

I gotta go. My bike won’t ride itself. :)

Nice!

I usually stay home on my vacations and get projects worked, go for long bike rides and walk the dog.

I would be awesome as a retired dude; aiming for 55; less than 3 years now.

You have to turn off work devices- if I answered the phone and checked emails, I would still be doing half my work and not getting any stress relief.

I've been retired for more than 15 years now. Sometimes I'm amazed I've been retired for half the time I worked from the job(s) I retired from.

6th year of retirement for me.
Every year gets better.

I waited too long.
I was 68 when I sold my business to follow my dream. By then arthritis had caught up with me. I had planned on working the land, playing guitar, restoring cars and stuff.
But most of my day now is spent in pain or working on pain management.
If you don't like what you are doing don't put off catching your dream.

I'm right there with you Vash. I'm ready, but also not. Jeez, another 15-ish years. Maybe I'll find a winning power ball lottery ticket somewhere so I can retire early.

I retired 2.5 years ago and have been working my a$$ off ! Way too many projects but I am knocking them out one by one . I can't wait until I am caught up and can just have fun .

On the flip side, I am working from home now. I have three kids here with me. My wife is a moderate introvert. It is sort of killing her to have a full house all day. She really hates it.

Summary: she wants me to work more and get the heck out of the house.

Didn't really see that one coming. I'm 54 and dreaming of the big R as well.

Good for you Cliff! I've been getting a feel for the retirement thing. Been off work since April, hopefully going back in September. Covid related so not by choice. The first 2 months sucked with everything shut down. Campgrounds, beaches, fishing, etc.

So, finished everything around the house and then some. The dog loves having me home as does the Wife. I'm kind of the "house hubby" but it's getting friggen old. I just want to go back to work.

I did go and get a yearly pass for Castaic Lake today which is 5 minutes away. Talked to a guy with a bass boat who was transferring his new tow vehicle to his yearly pass and got some tips for fishing the lake.

I'm a trout and surf fly fisherman so bass fishing is a new thing for me. Probably gonna end up spending $$$ on some new gear. Do I have to start chewing tobacco or drinking PBR? I might see a kayak in my future.

Nine more years. The countdown has started as well as the acquisition of retirement toys.

I believe that with retirement...(6 years ago)...I am in better physical shape than I was before.
I eat better, am more active, and look forward to every day more than I did before.
I bike 20-30 miles every day in the summer...winter I have a full set of activities to keep me in shape.
If you can do it....go for it. You won't be disappointed.

I think for many of us working from home with CV has also given a window into the future. I see w hat stevej37 describes:

For me not eating lunch at restaurants has resulted in a much improved diet.

I also really enjoy riding my bicycle from home when it is nice and going on different trails, instead of having to beat the same road to and from work every day, rain or shine. I put in more miles than commuting.

I am ready to retire right now. I need a few more years financially but have planned to be more frugal and do it earlier. Many of my hobbies and interests are not that expensive. I don't plan on traveling the world, or living in a golf course community competing with the other retirees for status. And being home can also save money. I.e. you may keep vehicles longer, because you have time to maintain them yourself. Or you cook simple meals instead of going out (see above). Or you build your new MTB from parts you find on CL instead of ordering it from the store. And you buy your RV as a project instead of turn key.

Now make sure you take that second week!

G

Realistically, I’m looking at 7-9 more years. I still love my job. What I need to get thru my head is focus on my job and not let the lack of productivity from someone else bother me. Just manage my own stuff.

My dog loves having us home. We play everyday. We do mind-games with him. He is right there at being a drug dog. He plays “go-find” with his toy. It would be a easy transition to contraband. Haha.

I can’t wait till I retire. In the meantime save money, and maintain some semblance of health so I can enjoy the rewards.

Vash - if you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I shouldn't, but I think about retirement every single day. I'm 53, I'll retire when I'm 54. In reality, I'll be just shy of 55 but when I think of it that way it seems its that much closer...I did a three week staycaction this year and loved it. I missed doing our normal get in the RV and go 5 week affair this year, but I didn't miss work....of all my close friends, my riding buddies, I'm the only one still working.....Unfortunately they remind me of that constantly.

I don’t mind. I’m 54.

Retirement is a lot better when you're physically able to do stuff.
That's why pretend retirement is cool.
Think how much longer it takes to recover from Stoopid injuries that 10 years ago would only take a couple beers.
Then think about 10 years from now!!!
Never too late to think about diet, moderate exercise, and STRETCHING!!

I'm semi-retired, which is a nice place to be at my age, 66.

I still work most days but since the hamster wheel is so small now, I have heaps more flexibility, which helps with stress.

It also allows me to do more stuff for myself - including yes - work.

But my feet are no longer held to the fire and that is the real key to whatever you think of as retirement.

Those naps as you said, Cliff......oh man......like heaven!

Keep feeding that social security! It will pay off one day for you. :)

A puppy.

I say retire so work doesn't get in the way of things like fishing, kayaking, cooking the fish you have just caught, the list goes on.

I was Covid retired at the end of March. Been sitting on my arse since then. :(