I Think I'll Keep Working

[tmm99]

I had (and I still have to a degree) fear that I would be bored if I wasn't working. I don't socialize much outside of work because I am usually too tired to do anything once I get home on weekdays, and on weekends, I spend doing chores (plus some hobbies which do not involve other people), so unless I have a three day weekend, I really don't have the energy to do much. I took a week off one time without planning any big trips and kind of hung out and I couldn't believe the amount of energy I had. I totally perked up ! That kind of gave me hope; that if I wasn't working, I would have more energy (and time) to want to do things.

My mom is 83 years old and when I tell her I am so busy, she says she is envious; she says she has to make an effort to keep her mind occupied. (She worked until she was in her early 70's - willingly). She says she doesn't feel as productive or contributing to society. And she gets bored when life becomes too mundane. Maybe semi-retired is the way for me... somewhere between nothing to do and too much to do.

I shall see how I feel when I get there...

 

[SkisALot]

Because, for many people, it is a lot more satisfying to answer the question "What do you do?" by saying 'I'm a doctor, lawyer, computer programer, etc.' than by saying 'nothing.'

Even before I retired I noticed that people were no longer so readily asking "What do you do?" I would say it was due to my grey hair, but I didn't stop coloring it for several years after retiring. So maybe it was because more and more people were/are retiring?
P.S. If someone were to ask "what do you do?" I can't imagine saying, "nothing." I do all kinds of things.

 

[73ss454]

When I retired I really wanted to do "nothing". After so many years of all my time being taken up, doing "nothing" was something I looked forward to doing. By saying this I really mean, doing what ever I want to do. But I will admit that doing "nothing" remains one of my favorite things to do.

 

[traineeinvestor]

In some respects, "nothing" is a rather negative answer to the question about what do you do all day.

So far I have told five people that I am intending to retire either early next year or early 2013. The reactions have all been variations of "you'll be bored", "what will you do all day", "you'll miss working" and "it won't last". Telling them I'm planning to do nothing just reinforces their beliefs.

I find it more positive to talk about items on my lengthy "bucket" list than to say "nothing".

 

[Nords]

Author: "Well, I was going to write a book, but the 11,243 retirees I interviewed were all happy."
Editor: "All of them?"
Author: "Well, pretty much, except for these 89."
Editor: "There's your book! When can I see the manuscript?"

If you're financially independent and still working, then you better be happy-- because you have to be responsible for your own entertainment.

Lately my "occupations" are all unpaid (volunteer) positions: Spouse, parent, surfer, martial artist, home-improvement junkie, writer, reader... whaddya DO all day indeed.

 

[Packman]

Very interesting post. I am only 3 weeks from FIRE. I've had a 30+ year career in the glamorous world of accounting and finance - escalating into a senior level executive at a mid size company. Looking back, I've had some great times, accomplishments, and friendships along my career. And I did identify myself by my escalating positions - I was proud of that. If I still loved the job, I'd never be retiring at 54. However, for me the constant stress, pressure and daily grind have soured me on the current career. I'm looking at retirement as a whole new era of my life. Yes, for six months, I will look forward to some peace and quiet home time, but after that - I'm open to something else, for pay or not - just as long as it's enjoyable.

What I do find sad is that since I announced my plans to retire, I've talked to several other peers at work, all older than I am. They confided in me that they don't know what to do with themselves when they take a week off from work, let alone a lifetime. Those are the kind of people that will hate retirement, be bored, lose their health and turn into old fogey's. While I choose to retire early and proceed with life, they will be forced to retire someday - unprepared. I'd rather be me.

 

[obgyn65]

Same for me. I intend to continue to volunteer in the US and abroad as a clinician when retired.

I will have absolutely no problem in retirement. I have many hobbies to keep me busy. Work right now keeps me from doing those hobbies and it frustrates me.

 

[Delawaredave5]

My takeaway from reading the book is that retirees enjoy the freedom of retirement but suffer (some quite a bit) from re-defining themselves and their identity in retirement.

"Re-defining themselves" is the essence of retirement.

If someone views re-defining as "suffering" - they should keep working.

If they view re-defining as liberating - then retirement, preferably ER, is right for them.

A lot of people do not have the energy, guts, and conviction to re-define. When this happens, they retire "idle un-re-defined" - and that would s_ck - I'd almost rather be working.....

 

[Gone4Good]

because you have to be responsible for your own entertainment.

This is one of life's truths that goes mostly unnoticed. No one who understood this simple point would ever say "you'll be bored without a job."

 

[WB52]

Thanks for posting this provocatively phrased blog post.
Watching the reaction on this forum was like seeing a tank full of piraña go after fresh meat. What fun! Definitely not the crowd to agree with the findings. Most folks here are focussed on FIRE and have planned extensively for it.
Certainly too many people in the US think their identity is their job, so transition to retirement would be difficult. That is probably less of an issue with folks on this forum. Agree?

 

[rescueme]

Certainly too many people in the US think their identity is their job, so transition to retirement would be difficult. That is probably less of an issue with folks on this forum. Agree?

For all the forum members (and especially for those who are actually retired) I would have to agree.

For me? My j*b was a means to an end - that is it took me to where I wanted to be, in a financial sense. It never gave me a "sense of fulfillment" that I now experience in retirement, where I'm able to set my own direction - not have to fulfill the desires/wants of somebody (or organization) for my talents and my time, that I was beholden to for a paycheck.

I've only been retired four years (as of May 1), but I can state that it's been the best four years of my life.

If others want to live their lives by what they do at their j*bs? It dosen't bother me at all. They have their desires, I have mine ...

 

[Andre1969]

Because, for many people, it is a lot more satisfying to answer the question "What do you do?" by saying 'I'm a doctor, lawyer, computer programer, etc.' than by saying 'nothing.'

Interesting perspective, and I think that proves that I truly am a wanna-be early retiree. Whenever someone asks me what I do, I don't start the sentence with "I am a..." I'll usually say "I work for NASA" or, if I feel like making a dumb joke "I sit in front of the computer and go brain-dead all day", and then follow up with the type of work I do. But never does the phrase "I am a..." come into it.

So to me, work is just something I do, a means to an end, something to pay the bills. But it's not something I become.

 

[Jamtin34]

I'm 2 years from FIRE and still employed... my favorite answer to "what do you do?" is "as little possible to continue picking up a paycheck". Not during performance appraisals or to top management of course! :))

I plan to transition that to "nothing" or "whatever I want that's legal" (still debating the latter )))) That's a joke of course!

 

[chinaco]

I think I can drum up some regular social activities with out working.

 

[haha]

Thanks for posting this provocatively phrased blog post.
Watching the reaction on this forum was like seeing a tank full of piraña go after fresh meat.

Yes, many topics chosen are just like this. This is not a group for doubt and re-examination.

To me, a funny part is that in finance, our group worships all kinds of more or less bogus research. But in this case, a couple of real-deal and apparently even handed researchers have their findings dismissed out of hand.

But like you say, one cannot generalize findings from one group to a different group with very different characteristics.

Ha

 

[Pete44]

Redefining myself hasn't been difficult after selling the house and moving to Thailand. Remembering what day of the week it is, has been a challenge. Finishing the second novel continues at a snail's pace. The 24 year old girlfriend always needs attention.

I can't complain but sometimes I still do.

 

[haha]

Redefining myself hasn't been difficult after selling the house and moving to Thailand. Remembering what day of the week it is, has been a challenge. Finishing the second novel continues at a snail's pace. The 24 year old girlfriend always needs attention.

I can't complain but sometimes I still do.

Mercy! Please tell us more.

Ha

 

[Jamtin34]

Yes please! We are not worthy!

 

[chinaco]

Redefining myself hasn't been difficult after selling the house and moving to Thailand. Remembering what day of the week it is, has been a challenge. Finishing the second novel continues at a snail's pace. The 24 year old girlfriend always needs attention.

I can't complain but sometimes I still do.

Livin' the dream huh!

Yes, let us live vicariously through your monologue!

 

[Danmar]

Interesting discussion. I have been retired for close to 5 years and enjoy it a lot. However, I certainly had a period of adjustment similar to that described above(I have not read the book). both DW and daughter had a tough time with me for 2-3 years. They say things are much better now. This was difficult for me to self diagnose. My career was high powered, highly paid, and bestowed significant power and prestige. I would be superhuman not to miss some of these perks. Obviously my experience would not be the norm.

At the end of my career I was tired of it all(I thought) and despetately wanted to retire which I did at 56. At my level in the organization this was never a unilateral decision. So, I can understand the book's findings. This is not the majority view here or in many places probably as many people dislike (hate?) their jobs or work environment.

Advice I would give based on my experience: If you enjoy your work and are reasonably well paid, keep working until you don't.

 

[Retch The Grate]

Redefining myself hasn't been difficult after selling the house and moving to Thailand. Remembering what day of the week it is, has been a challenge. Finishing the second novel continues at a snail's pace. The 24 year old girlfriend always needs attention.

Where in Thailand do you live? My uncle lives in Phu Noi, south of Hua Hin, and we've got family friends in Bangkok. After visiting Thailand one of my semi-retirement ideas is starting a game development studio on a beach there. Much lower amount of money coming in needed to fund that lifestyle than living here in California.

 

[mh]

Where in Thailand do you live? My uncle lives in Phu Noi, south of Hua Hin, and we've got family friends in Bangkok. After visiting Thailand one of my semi-retirement ideas is starting a game development studio on a beach there. Much lower amount of money coming in needed to fund that lifestyle than living here in California.

Sign me up as coder #2 ..

 

[FIREd]

If transitioning to retirement is a problem now, will it get any easier after working a few more years? It seems to me that, the longer you work, the more you identify with your job and the less you have time to build a strong social network outside of work. Hence working longer could make the transition to retirement that much more painful. Perhaps it is why early retirees on this forum don't identify strongly with the subjects in the study.

 

[FreeAtLast]

I am still working part time mainly because of the group health insurance. About 5 years ago I cut back to 30 hours/week. Two years ago I cut back to just under 20 hours/week.

I don't know how I ever had time to work 30 or 40 hours each week. I am starting to think about cutting back further, however, I doubt they would pay for my health insurance at that point.

I am a computer programmer and I do like the mental challenge that the job provides.

 

[Aiming_4_55]

The 24 year old girlfriend always needs attention.

I can't complain but sometimes I still do.

This is kind of the norm in various asian countries.

When I was in the Philippines for a few weeks last year staying in a condotel (furnished condo rented like a hotel), it was very common to meet males between age 45 – 70 having drinks in the bar with very attractive females age 18 – 28. The benefit of the Philippines is English is a primary language. A few were very open about how far their monthly SS check of $1200 - $1600 can go.

One bedroom units were going for about $20 a day, but monthly rates were available for cheap. One guy retired at 38 with less than 1M, living there full time…. Activities = golfing, drinking, dancing, swimming, girls, massages, etc. not always in that order. He will never work again. It was an interesting beer as he thought I should get a divorce and follow his foot steps.

For the record, I needed a 3 bedroom unit as we were visiting with a large party but due to jet lag I didn't sleep much for the time I was there.