Wandering

sooner · 09-23-2006, 07:56 AM

I recently retired from a large corporation as a skilled tradesman. I liked my job, worked alot of hours, made lots of money and would have worked a few more years but they were closing my plant and offered early incentives to go. So, after more than 35 years I left. Although I think it was the right choice to go, and really don't miss the work, I feel lost at times. I enjoy doing things at a more leisurely time, but sometimes it's seems I don't have anything accomplished, and it's not that there isn't enough to do. It's like so what if I do it today or not. At times I feel like I'm wasting time. DW wants to to travel some but I don't care to do that either. After 2 monthes I don't think it's time to get a part time job, but not sure.

Brat · 09-23-2006, 10:10 AM

Sooner, retirement is a major life event. Work is both an economic and a social activity. Feeling lost and depressed, particularly when this life change didn't happen on your time table is not unusual.

If you are inclined, see a counselor. If not then seek a temporary job while you plan with your wife a trip that you will both enjoy. If money isn't an issue, and if your craft suitable, volunteer to build/repair homes for low income families through a local non-profit.

Ed_The_Gypsy · 09-23-2006, 10:46 AM

I like Habitat for Humanity. See if there is a local chapter near you. Even not near you.

BOBOT · 09-23-2006, 05:33 PM

Volounteering is one of the most satisfying things I do, & I look forward to doing more of it when I RE in 4 months. I work with a great bunch of committed people, professional & lay, at a free clinic, & it's not only interesting but fun. Definitely a highlight of my week.

There's no lack of opportunity: as one of the other vols said (a retired airline captain) "There's all kinds of work available if you're willing to work for free."

You need a reason to get up & put your pants on every day; doing something you enjoy & know is helpful to others - whatever your skills, interests, or inclinations - is a great way to do it.

**Martha** · 09-23-2006, 05:50 PM

I am not retired and am still working part time.* Nevertheless, I have noticed some of what you are talking about--plenty to do but no urgency to get it done.* So not much gets done.* I am leaning towards making more of a schedule for myself.* I tend towards sloth so I feel better if I try to schedule my activities.* I started this week by starting the day at the gym.* It has felt good to start the day with exercise and the feeling of accomplishment it gives me.

If you are interested in volunteering and don't know where to start, here is a good site for finding volunteer opportunities in many communities:

http://www.networkforgood.org/volunt...GLE&cmpgn=AWVO

johnbrady · 09-23-2006, 07:15 PM

Great suggestions from everyone here. i just retired too, unexpectedly. Fortunately i have a consulting gig with my previous employer for the rest of this year and i have started a new business too. Even with all that frantic activity i see some differences in myself in just 2 months. Sleeping 30 minutes later, starting "work" a bit later, getting involved in household stuff during the day. Makes me nervous some times about slacking off, although i think i will prevail.

Couple of my friends have ER'd and since they are all very handy, have started small contracting businesses. Very satisying work and they only take on jobs that they want to work on. Don't know what your trade is, but presumably you have to be handy!

Good luck

2soon2tell · 09-23-2006, 07:30 PM

Wandering,

I second the opinion on volunteer work. Whatever your interest and skills there is a need for volunteers. I find the work to be satisfying and it helps me put things in perspcective. What is really important and what is not.

Just my two cents.

2soon

Billy · 09-24-2006, 11:08 AM

Having both a sense of accomplishment and a direction of your efforts make a big difference in how you feel about yourself.

Maybe you could organize the things you want to get done or skills you want to learn and places you want to visit. This will give you direction. Then again, maybe you are not a* 'list' person.

I agree with the volunteering aspect. Nothing like giving of yourself to put things in perspective.

Good luck to you.
Akaisha
Author, The Adventurer's Guide to Early Retirement

Nords · 09-24-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha

I am not retired and am still working part time.* Nevertheless, I have noticed some of what you are talking about--plenty to do but no urgency to get it done.* So not much gets done.* I am leaning towards making more of a schedule for myself.* I tend towards sloth so I feel better if I try to schedule my activities.* I started this week by starting the day at the gym.* It has felt good to start the day with exercise and the feeling of accomplishment it gives me.

Au contraire, a tremendous amount gets done-- it just wasn't on the list! The urgent or timely stuff gets done (nobody starves and the bills get paid), but ERs can't complain about how their workload or their boss or their commute kept their mandated tasks from happening on schedule.

I didn't ER to chain myself to a list. I enjoy being able to bring up the surf forecast, smile "Cowabunga!" and decide that whatever I was planning to do this morning is now deferred in favor of surfing.

I also enjoy opening my e-mail, reacting "Gee, I haven't heard from them in years!" and knowing that I have the time to spend a leisurely hour or two on an update or some other topic. Or losing myself on the Scientific American or Business Week websites for a couple hours, let alone a good book while I'm stretching.

I like Philip Greenspun's ruminations on time management-- scroll halfway down the page to the "Time Management" section for specifics.

**Martha** · 09-24-2006, 01:02 PM

Nords, I like Greenspun's site.

Summers I am fine. I have my gardens and activities, more to do than I have time for. Winters are my problem. I can seem myself crawling under a blanket eating bon bons and reading novels, coming out in the spring weighing an extra 50 pounds. So, I have to discipline myself. Get up. Go exercise. Eat figs and nuts and spinach. Etc. Sometimes I wonder if I don't have a touch of seasonal affective disorder.

haha · 09-24-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha

Sometimes I wonder if I don't have a touch of seasonal affective disorder.*

Martha, I think many people who live in the North do. My mood went to hell last week when it was raining and dark all the time, and I knew that this was just a taste of what is to come. I was actually reduced to trying to calculate how may summers I might have left. Not how many years, how many summers.

I think this year I will try one of those light boxes that are supposed to lift your mood in the winter.

I don’t stop moving, or eat too much, but I am definitely not as light hearted in winter.

Ha

brewer12345 · 09-24-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaHa

I think this year I will try one of those light boxes that are supposed to lift your mood in the winter.

If youtry this, let me know how it workd for you. I definately have a touch of this, although it isn't quite as bad since I no longer work in a windowless office. :P

uncledrz · 09-24-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha

Nords, I like Greenspun's site.

* Winters are my problem.*

Winters are tough, especially when it gets cloudy and overcast for 30 or 40 days in a row. Just getting out the full specturm bulb and cleaning up the cross country skies, boots and poles to get ready.

Dawg54 · 09-24-2006, 05:11 PM

Winters can be depressing even in non-cold climates. Wake up in the mornings to get ready for work, it is dark. Get off work at 5:00pm, and it is almost dark.

One more working winter for me. As a retiree, I will get up later after the sun is up and then start my day. Winter days will still be short, but I will have plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine we do have.* 8)

haha · 09-24-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOG52

Winters can be depressing even in non-cold climates. Wake up in the mornings to get ready for work, it is dark. Get off work at 5:00pm, and it is almost dark.

What is your latitude down there?

I noticed a huge difference between where I am now, 48+, and Southern California, or even the Bay Area, which I think is about 38-39 deg N.

Ha

Meadbh · 09-24-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha

Nords, I like Greenspun's site.

Sometimes I wonder if I don't have a touch of seasonal affective disorder.*

From north of the 49th parallel......the incidence of SAD in Canada has been estimated at 25%. Light boxes DO work; I have used one in winter for years.

unclemick · 09-24-2006, 06:03 PM

Ok I'll bite - after thirty years in New Orleans and now heading into my second winter in Missouri.

What the heck is a light box

heh heh heh heh heh

UncleHoney · 09-24-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclemick2

Ok I'll bite - after thirty years in New Orleans and now heading into my second winter in Missouri.

What the heck is a light box

heh heh heh heh heh

http://sadlight.com/aj-main-light-boxes.htm

unclemick · 09-24-2006, 06:49 PM

Thanks

Now I got the idea. Suspected it might be something along those lines.

heh heh heh

haha · 09-24-2006, 07:15 PM

Would anyone who has used one of these comment on the different designs or brands, ease of use, effectiveness. etc?

Ha

09-23-2006, 07:56 AM	#1
sooner Dryer sheet wannabe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 24	Wandering I recently retired from a large corporation as a skilled tradesman. I liked my job, worked alot of hours, made lots of money and would have worked a few more years but they were closing my plant and offered early incentives to go. So, after more than 35 years I left. Although I think it was the right choice to go, and really don't miss the work, I feel lost at times. I enjoy doing things at a more leisurely time, but sometimes it's seems I don't have anything accomplished, and it's not that there isn't enough to do. It's like so what if I do it today or not. At times I feel like I'm wasting time. DW wants to to travel some but I don't care to do that either. After 2 monthes I don't think it's time to get a part time job, but not sure.

09-23-2006, 10:10 AM	#2
Brat Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,867	Re: Wandering Sooner, retirement is a major life event. Work is both an economic and a social activity. Feeling lost and depressed, particularly when this life change didn't happen on your time table is not unusual. If you are inclined, see a counselor. If not then seek a temporary job while you plan with your wife a trip that you will both enjoy. If money isn't an issue, and if your craft suitable, volunteer to build/repair homes for low income families through a local non-profit. __________________ Duck bjorn.

09-23-2006, 10:46 AM	#3
Ed_The_Gypsy Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,889	Re: Wandering I like Habitat for Humanity. See if there is a local chapter near you. Even not near you. __________________ "Ain't got no money for no old-age pension; I'm so broke, I can't pay attention!"

09-23-2006, 05:33 PM	#4
BOBOT Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 211	Re: Wandering Volounteering is one of the most satisfying things I do, & I look forward to doing more of it when I RE in 4 months. I work with a great bunch of committed people, professional & lay, at a free clinic, & it's not only interesting but fun. Definitely a highlight of my week. There's no lack of opportunity: as one of the other vols said (a retired airline captain) "There's all kinds of work available if you're willing to work for free." You need a reason to get up & put your pants on every day; doing something you enjoy & know is helpful to others - whatever your skills, interests, or inclinations - is a great way to do it. __________________ Caution: Bag is not a toy.

09-23-2006, 05:50 PM	#5
Martha Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 10,065	Re: Wandering I am not retired and am still working part time.* Nevertheless, I have noticed some of what you are talking about--plenty to do but no urgency to get it done.* So not much gets done.* I am leaning towards making more of a schedule for myself.* I tend towards sloth so I feel better if I try to schedule my activities.* I started this week by starting the day at the gym.* It has felt good to start the day with exercise and the feeling of accomplishment it gives me. If you are interested in volunteering and don't know where to start, here is a good site for finding volunteer opportunities in many communities: http://www.networkforgood.org/volunt...GLE&cmpgn=AWVO __________________ . Do not rely on the information provided--my posts are not to be taken as legal advice. Needless to say you must consult with your legal representative. I am not responsible for errors. If I offended you with cya I apologize. If I did not, I tried.

09-23-2006, 07:15 PM	#6
johnbrady Confused about dryer sheets Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 9	Re: Wandering Great suggestions from everyone here. i just retired too, unexpectedly. Fortunately i have a consulting gig with my previous employer for the rest of this year and i have started a new business too. Even with all that frantic activity i see some differences in myself in just 2 months. Sleeping 30 minutes later, starting "work" a bit later, getting involved in household stuff during the day. Makes me nervous some times about slacking off, although i think i will prevail. Couple of my friends have ER'd and since they are all very handy, have started small contracting businesses. Very satisying work and they only take on jobs that they want to work on. Don't know what your trade is, but presumably you have to be handy! Good luck __________________ Boomerbaby<br />http://topretirements.com

09-23-2006, 07:30 PM	#7
2soon2tell Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 186	Re: Wandering Wandering, I second the opinion on volunteer work. Whatever your interest and skills there is a need for volunteers. I find the work to be satisfying and it helps me put things in perspcective. What is really important and what is not. Just my two cents. 2soon

09-24-2006, 11:08 AM	#8
Billy Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 804	Re: Wandering Having both a sense of accomplishment and a direction of your efforts make a big difference in how you feel about yourself. Maybe you could organize the things you want to get done or skills you want to learn and places you want to visit. This will give you direction. Then again, maybe you are not a* 'list' person. I agree with the volunteering aspect. Nothing like giving of yourself to put things in perspective. Good luck to you. Akaisha Author, The Adventurer's Guide to Early Retirement __________________ Self reliance builds confidence.** Retire Early Lifestyle

09-24-2006, 01:02 PM	#10
Martha Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 10,065	Re: Wandering Nords, I like Greenspun's site. Summers I am fine. I have my gardens and activities, more to do than I have time for. Winters are my problem. I can seem myself crawling under a blanket eating bon bons and reading novels, coming out in the spring weighing an extra 50 pounds. So, I have to discipline myself. Get up. Go exercise. Eat figs and nuts and spinach. Etc. Sometimes I wonder if I don't have a touch of seasonal affective disorder. __________________ . Do not rely on the information provided--my posts are not to be taken as legal advice. Needless to say you must consult with your legal representative. I am not responsible for errors. If I offended you with cya I apologize. If I did not, I tried.

09-24-2006, 05:11 PM	#14
Dawg54 Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 3,335	Re: Wandering Winters can be depressing even in non-cold climates. Wake up in the mornings to get ready for work, it is dark. Get off work at 5:00pm, and it is almost dark. One more working winter for me. As a retiree, I will get up later after the sun is up and then start my day. Winter days will still be short, but I will have plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine we do have.* 8) __________________ Full time golf bum.......

09-24-2006, 06:03 PM	#17
unclemick Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Kansas City Posts: 5,646	Re: Wandering Ok I'll bite - after thirty years in New Orleans and now heading into my second winter in Missouri. What the heck is a light box heh heh heh heh heh

09-24-2006, 06:49 PM	#19
unclemick Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Kansas City Posts: 5,646	Re: Wandering Thanks Now I got the idea. Suspected it might be something along those lines. heh heh heh

09-24-2006, 07:15 PM	#20
haha Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,806	Re: Wandering Would anyone who has used one of these comment on the different designs or brands, ease of use, effectiveness. etc? Ha __________________ "Show 'em just enough to win the turkey."- Former KY Governor Bert Combs