You Can Never Go Back or Can You?

[erkevin]

I retired about 18 months ago from being an elementary school principal. In those 18 months, I have not been anywhere near my former place of employment...even though it is only three miles away. I am not sure why I haven't visited- I had planned on it before my retirement. It just never happened.
Last week, the school secretary called, asking me to play Santa at my school. I agreed and am playing Santa this morning and for some reason, I am nervous. Not nervous about playing Santa (I have done that before), nervous about visiting. I know it will be a blast.........but I am still nervous.

 

[EastWest Gal]

It's about what people will say. Since I went back, I have to put up with "I thought you retired!" Over and over again. You won't have that problem. It will be fun if you have a prepared answer. When others ask what you've been doing, say "Whatever I want!" And hang out with the 5 and 6 year-olds. They won't know you as their principal. To them, you're Santa.

 

[athena53]

I haven't been back to my old workplace- left due to toxic politics- but have been to the workplace of the employer before that quite a few times, for "alumni" gatherings, continuing ed programs (I still find the business interesting and enjoy seeing former colleagues) and gatherings related to the local corporate athletic competition, in which I compete as a retiree.

The most interesting return was a continuing ed event a few hours away, where DS, DDIL and my granddaughters live. A few people expressed good-natured envy that I was retired and traveling to interesting places. Others, when they found that I was not working in the field even PT, asked what I was even doing there! I told them I still find the business interesting- and DS is in the same business.

Go and have a good time.

 

[pacergal]

Go and have fun! I have been back to my work place a few times for lunch and celebrations and had great visits. Every time, people asked me to come back on call and I said I wasn't ready to consider that yet!

 

[MRG]

I went back to have lunch with some guys I consider friends. Did that for a couple years until we moved out of the area.

I couldn't enter the w*rkplace so it was truly lunch. Of course you might see some other folks while you are waiting.

I managed to run into the last two VPs I w*rked for before retiring. I'd lost over 50 pounds since I'd seen either of them, it felt good to be able to say high and leave for home.

Your former students will love it.

 

[scrabbler1]

The commute I had to my old company is long and expensive, and was the main reason I left there 9 years ago. Even going there and back between the rush hours on the trains would cost me about $21 round-trip and take me nearly 3 hours from western Long Island to Jersey City, New Jersey. Driving there would be even worse. I won't be going anywhere near my old office ever!

 

[Trooper]

Retired about 18 months ago also, and haven't been back. I do have "happy hours" with a few close friends that are still w*rking there, but that's been the extent of my contact with megacorp.

 

[Ed B]

I retired about 18 months ago from being an elementary school principal. In those 18 months, I have not been anywhere near my former place of employment...even though it is only three miles away. I am not sure why I haven't visited- I had planned on it before my retirement. It just never happened.
Last week, the school secretary called, asking me to play Santa at my school. I agreed and am playing Santa this morning and for some reason, I am nervous. Not nervous about playing Santa (I have done that before), nervous about visiting. I know it will be a blast.........but I am still nervous.

I have not retired yet but I can totally relate to your feelings. I was getting anxious as I read your post just thinking about coming back for department holiday parties and later retirement parties for co-workers. It will be emotional, that is for sure. being at a place for 33 years straight, it becomes a part of you, kind of like severe lower back-pain and swollen knees. LOL

 

[Midpack]

Though I understand the mild anxiety, I'd remind myself it's just a moment in your life so why not? If you don't enjoy it, just don't do it again, easy-peasy.

At least for me, I'm finding I'm better off saying "yes" to any remotely interesting opportunities that come my way for the same reason. If I enjoy it I'll stay with it (and add to my growing list of retirement activities, the more variety/options the better IMO), and if I don't it's off the rotation. No regrets...

I went back to my workplace a couple times in the first 6 months, but in the 6 years since. I do see, email or call former co-workers once in a while, but not often. I was very surprised at who's made the effort to stay in touch and who hasn't, not what I would have predicted in either case (some "work-friends" that I thought might keep in touch haven't, and some folks I thought I'd never hear from again continue/have made it a point to keep in touch).

 

[kgtest]

I retired about 18 months ago from being an elementary school principal. In those 18 months, I have not been anywhere near my former place of employment...even though it is only three miles away. I am not sure why I haven't visited- I had planned on it before my retirement. It just never happened.
Last week, the school secretary called, asking me to play Santa at my school. I agreed and am playing Santa this morning and for some reason, I am nervous. Not nervous about playing Santa (I have done that before), nervous about visiting. I know it will be a blast.........but I am still nervous.

I would go with a smile, knowing that it's for the fun of it and that you no longer require any compensation from them at all what-so-ever. So you truly are just giving back your time and energy with no further expectation. That to me is complete freedom when you can afford to give your time to other's.

 

[gayl]

When I left county, it was hard .... but I was on the SWOG Board (south west oncology investigating phase 3 trial drugs) so I had to.

Enjoy playing Santa

 

[Amethyst]

After all - you don't need a Santa job, you're only doing it because you like it and the others place value on you. They'll be delighted to see you, and you'll have a great time playing Santa. Everything is going to be great, you'll see.

I got called back part-time to work on a special project. I was a little nervous at first, since I had to be "in-processed" all over again as if I were a new hire. But everyone was nicer to me - than before I retired. I think it is because I am not perceived as a rival for awards and promotions (since I can't get them). And I don't act "old." I've actually been told that by way of a compliment

 

[street]

I also have retired about 18 months ago and I haven't been back either. I drive by it from time to time and live about 2 miles from it. I left on very good relations but I just haven't had the desire to go back for really no reason but I have a new life now and a new journey. I have some contact with people I worked with we text and call but to go back to the building I have no desire to do so.

 

[Souschef]

I found an alumni website for a Megacorp I worked for. One of the pages was a list of people who were deceased. I knew many of them, but it was so depressing I stopped going to the site.

 

[erkevin]

I am back from playing Santa. After talking with some staff, i came to the conclusion that I was apprehensive because I felt that I no longer belonged (was part of the team). After hugs from staff and students, it was like I never left!
I played Santa- it was fun- and then got to leave!

P.S. I got an earful regarding personnel issues, student behavior issues, etc.
Damn glad I am retired!

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

The commute I had to my old company is long and expensive, and was the main reason I left there 9 years ago. Even going there and back between the rush hours on the trains would cost me about $21 round-trip and take me nearly 3 hours from western Long Island to Jersey City, New Jersey. Driving there would be even worse. I won't be going anywhere near my old office ever!

Not too long after I retired, I told myself that I would force myself to sit in rush hour traffic at least once every six months to remind myself how terrible commuting for work is...but three years later, I have yet to feel the need to "remind myself"...I can watch it on TV in the comfort of my PJs while enjoying a nice cup of fresh coffee.

I am back from playing Santa. After talking with some staff, i came to the conclusion that I was apprehensive because I felt that I no longer belonged (was part of the team). After hugs from staff and students, it was like I never left!
I played Santa- it was fun- and then got to leave!

P.S. I got an earful regarding personnel issues, student behavior issues, etc.
Damn glad I am retired!

I am glad to hear that you got to "have fun" and then immediately leave. The freedom is absolutely refreshing, isn't it? Plus, the "earful" of w*rk issues is just a gentle reminder of how great being retired is!

 

[Scuba]

The commute I had to my old company is long and expensive, and was the main reason I left there 9 years ago. Even going there and back between the rush hours on the trains would cost me about $21 round-trip and take me nearly 3 hours from western Long Island to Jersey City, New Jersey. Driving there would be even worse. I won't be going anywhere near my old office ever!

+1
The commute for me would be over 2 hours if no traffic. No traffic doesn’t really happen in So CA, so it would likely be a 3-4 hour commute plus visit time. No thanks!

 

[aja8888]

Go be Santa!!

For the last two or three years I get calls to handle projects for my previous employer. I do it and make a few bucks and enjoy seeing the folks and the clients. This year may be my last as I am tired of the business travel associated with the work.

Actually, I am tired of travel in general.

Go be Santa, make the day for the youngsters!

 

[Midpack]

I am back from playing Santa. After talking with some staff, i came to the conclusion that I was apprehensive because I felt that I no longer belonged (was part of the team). After hugs from staff and students, it was like I never left!
I played Santa- it was fun- and then got to leave!

P.S. I got an earful regarding personnel issues, student behavior issues, etc.
Damn glad I am retired!

+1, glad you went and enjoyed yourself.

And the latter is the reason I don’t go back or talk with my former co-workers very often. They want to talk about work, and I don’t care about the nonsense aspects anymore...

 

[dratcliff]

Professional

It is just a matter of being a professional. Part of stepping down from a principalship is giving your successor the opportunity to step in and establish themselves. When you go back you will be the center of attention whether this is your intent or not. 18 months out should be enough to give them the window they need. Enjoy your visit! (I am also a retired elementary principal)

 

[Mulligan]

I am back from playing Santa. After talking with some staff, i came to the conclusion that I was apprehensive because I felt that I no longer belonged (was part of the team). After hugs from staff and students, it was like I never left!
I played Santa- it was fun- and then got to leave!

P.S. I got an earful regarding personnel issues, student behavior issues, etc.
Damn glad I am retired!

Retired admin here too, Steve except at the senior end... 7 years later, I still work there in varying capacities. Always doing jobs they cant find anyone to do so they ask me. I dont mind a little PT work, as long as filling my annual Roth contribution appeals to me, I guess I will continue.