What have you acomplished in retirement ?

[harley]

I actually do have a retirement accomplishment list. I read a couple of decades ago that if you couldn't name 10 things off the top of your head that you would like to do in retirement, then you probably weren't a good ER candidate. My list was in the 20s.

I've accomplished a few.

Built our dream house at the beach, although now we're starting to plan for our future dream farm life home. Far away from the rich snobby folks and the HOAs.

Bought a couple of kayaks and started paddling.

Lost 20 lbs. Did this one twice, plus I gained 20 lbs 3 times so now I'm going to do it again. How's that for accomplishing?

However, as far as some of the other items go, not so good.

Learning Spanish - I've installed the Rosetta Stone software.

Improving my musical techniques - I'm just as bad as I used to be, just on a couple more instruments now.

Through hiking the Appalachian Trail - I walk 3 or so miles every day, but the land is perfectly flat, so I'm not sure this counts as training.

etc.

 

[donheff]

I'm with Wahoo. Goal setting is something I disliked at work and don't plan to do in retirement - other than the fundamental goal of staying retired. Now doing stuff - that is another matter.

 

[Moemg]

I'm with Wahoo. Goal setting is something I disliked at work and don't plan to do in retirement - other than the fundamental goal of staying retired. Now doing stuff - that is another matter.

Absolutely but there are a lot of forum members who had long lists of what they would accomplish in ER and what I 'm wondering is if they accomplished any of them or not ? My goal for retirement was no goals except keep from being bored and I have accomplished that most days .

 

[Moemg]

I actually do have a retirement accomplishment list. I read a couple of decades ago that if you couldn't name 10 things off the top of your head that you would like to do in retirement, then you probably weren't a good ER candidate. My list was in the 20s.

I've accomplished a few.

Built our dream house at the beach, although now we're starting to plan for our future dream farm life home. Far away from the rich snobby folks and the HOAs.

Bought a couple of kayaks and started paddling.

Lost 20 lbs. Did this one twice, plus I gained 20 lbs 3 times so now I'm going to do it again. How's that for accomplishing?

However, as far as some of the other items go, not so good.

Learning Spanish - I've installed the Rosetta Stone software.

Improving my musical techniques - I'm just as bad as I used to be, just on a couple more instruments now.

Through hiking the Appalachian Trail - I walk 3 or so miles every day, but the land is perfectly flat, so I'm not sure this counts as training.

etc.

Congratulations on accomplishing a few of your goals !

 

[Goonie]

I actually do have a retirement accomplishment list. I read a couple of decades ago that if you couldn't name 10 things off the top of your head that you would like to do in retirement, then you probably weren't a good ER candidate. My list was in the 20s.

I've accomplished a few.....

I read books and articles that recommended making the retirement "To Do" lists too. So I did.

.........there are a lot of forum members who had long lists of what they would accomplish in ER and what I 'm wondering is if they accomplished any of them or not ?

I had one of those looooong lists.....I started it the year before I pulled the plug, and had it pretty much all written by my last day on the hamster-wheel. I was soooo proud of me!!!

Within a week or 2 of escaping captivity, I misplaced/lost the list!!! I am sooooo proud of me!!!!

My goal for retirement was no goals except keep from being bored and I have accomplished that most days .

I've been footloose & fancy-free for 2 1/2 years as of next week, and I haven't been bored for a split millisecond...not even once!!!

Some days I tinker with my hobbies, some days I play in the dirt (in my gardens), some days it's traveling or day-trips, and some days finding just the right food or restaurant to satisfy an urge.

And some days.....I do absolutely nothing for the entire day...nada, zilch, cero, zip, NOTHING!!!! And it's usually those days, that I feel as if I've made my greatest accomplishment!!!

 

[Meadbh]

My principal goal is to become an expert in procrastination within one year of RE. Or two.....whatever!

 

[bbbamI]

I never really thought about setting goals in retirement. When I first left megacorp years ago, I worked around the house like a wild woman. After about a year I realized I had time...I didn't have to rush. This realization gave me the feeling of freedom. I started feeling like a teenager again. Well....almost.

I started trying new things; some of which I loved, the others not so much. I surprised myself when I found I was very good at handling difficult situations because I thrived at the help center, police department and court. I started drawing again. I began to take better care of myself and once again when I realized time seemed to be flying by, I started doing things that gave me pleasure.

Retirement gave me the gift of my true self.

 

[CuppaJoe]

Starting to get annoyed.....By Manaña you mean Mañana (tomorrow) or what?
Put me in the list of recalcitrant and unrepentant non acheievers

Thanks, vicente. It means I can spell in neither Español nor Inglés. I have a friend named Manana without any marks on her "n"s; her name may mean Mary in Russian. I'm with you on that list. zzzzz

 

[haha]

Absolutely but there are a lot of forum members who had long lists of what they would accomplish in ER and what I 'm wondering is if they accomplished any of them or not ? My goal for retirement was no goals except keep from being bored and I have accomplished that most days .

My only real goal was to stay solvent and to live in a way that I can feel good about. I knew I would have no problem staying engaged and enjoying my life, but I did think that the money thing might be tough, especially after divorce.

Since I live in a big nice city with weather that allows me to be out and about most days (occasionally with an umbrella up ) I have lots of pleasurable things to do and always have motivation to get moving. I look forward to returning home in the late afternoon and fixing some dinner, enjoying a drink and if it is a night I am staying home, read or maybe watch a ballgame.

For the most part, I think the main challenges of retirement are financial. That, and getting older.

Today I just missed a bus, and then the driver had to stop at a light. So I rapped on the door and asked to be let in. He just ignored me and proceeded to his next stop, with me running along beside, trying to keep my pack from bouncing off. I made it to the stop, and when I boarded I said "You sure made me work for that". So he says, "Sport, I knew you still had it in you."

I've basically had an easy life overall, and a whole lot of fun. Eventually it may not be as good, but I can hope.

Ha

 

[CuppaJoe]

....

Since I live in a big nice city with weather that allows me to be out and about most days (occasionally with an umbrella up ) I have lots of pleasurable things to do and always have motivation to get moving. I look forward to returning home in the late afternoon and fixing some dinner, enjoying a drink and if it is a night I am staying home, read or maybe watch a ballgame.
....
I've basically had an easy life overall, and a whole lot of fun. Eventually it may not be as good, but I can hope.

Ha

Ha, I think you've mastered the lifestyle I always aspired to: Flâneur.

Flâneur - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[haha]

Ha, I think you've mastered the lifestyle I always aspired to: Flâneur.

Flâneur - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LOL! Next time someone asks "Mr. Ha, what do you do", I shall reply, "Moi, je suis un flaneur!"

Thank you Cuppa, this has style!

Ha

 

[KB]

My only real goal was to stay solvent and to live in a way that I can feel good about.

This was my primary goal also.

As a single parent working full time, I never had much time to pursue any hobbies while I was raising my kids. So over the years, I made a list of things I wanted to do or learn after I retired and had more free time. And in the past 4 years, I've had a lot of fun doing them too.

 

[audreyh1]

OK - I'm too darn lazy to add to the list I already posted in Nov of 2006:

Few of these were goals when I retired, most of these were things I decided to do as retirement unfolded and after 7 years they had added up!

Here is what I have ALREADY DONE since retiring in 1999:

• Develop proficiency in nature and wildlife photography (film and later digital)
• Develop proficiency in wildlife video
• Learn how to edit video and produce DVDs
• Develop proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, GoLive, and InDesign
• Learn how to produce exceptional photo prints
• Travel all over North America (including Alaska, Canada & Mexico) on birdwatching and photography trips
• Go on a whale watching trip (and see a bunch of whales!)
• Significantly improve my birding skills including birding by ear
• Complete the Cornell Home Study Course on Ornithology
• Study and complete texts on Earth Science, Geology, General, Organic and Biochemistry
• Read a dadgum large number of natural history books.
• Learn butterfly identification
• Re-establish and increase my fluency in Spanish
• Publish a wildlife calendar
• Produce several nature videos/DVDs - including some for use by nature education programs
• Start and maintain a travelogue blog
• Get rid of most of my stuff and sell my house and switch to the RV fulltimer lifestyle
• Get my Class B driver's license (for heavy vehicles)
• Become an experienced RVer
• Make friends with several Texas naturalists whom I admire
• Learn basic graphic design skills and produce some posters/banners
• Learn basic web design skills
• Learn how to manage our investments - develop an investment strategy and implement/maintain it
• Learn Hatha Yoga
• Learn Pilates
• Hire a personal trainer and get in great (muscular) shape
• Take several courses in drawing

This is from an interesting older thread: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/what-to-do-when-you-finally-decide-23877.html

Maybe there are a few more things I have done since late 2006....

Audrey

 

[audreyh1]

For the most part, I think the main challenges of retirement are financial. That, and getting older.

For me these days the main challenge of retirement seems to be keeping the d&$@!n motorhome running!

Audrey

 

[vicente solano]

My principal goal is to become an expert in procrastination within one year of RE. Or two.....whatever!

Meadbh: To tell you the truth I´m not confortable procrastinating...having a wife that still has 14 years of working before retiring. It´s a bit embarrassing, shameful, sinful....She takes a dim view at it....
I try to go through the motions of appearing semi-busy...

 

[Moemg]

OK - I'm too darn lazy to add to the list I already posted in Nov of 2006:

Few of these were goals when I retired, most of these were things I decided to do as retirement unfolded and after 7 years they had added up!



This is from an interesting older thread: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/what-to-do-when-you-finally-decide-23877.html

Maybe there are a few more things I have done since late 2006....

Audrey

Great list Audrey and I loved the old posts !

 

[W2R]

For the most part, I think the main challenges of retirement are financial. That, and getting older.

For me these days the main challenge of retirement seems to be keeping the d&$@!n motorhome running!

I suspect that for me, the first challenge in retirement will be to determine whether I am naturally a "night person" or a "morning person" - - in other words, when to go to bed.

The challenge of getting older is one that we all face, whether working or retired. Hopefully I will lead a healthier lifestyle in retirement than while working, and a healthier lifestyle might put off some of the negative effects of aging.

 

[audreyh1]

The challenge of getting older is one that we all face, whether working or retired. Hopefully I will lead a healthier lifestyle in retirement than while working, and a healthier lifestyle might put off some of the negative effects of aging.

My husband looks nowhere near his 54 years, and I definitely attribute some of that to many years of retirement.

Maybe we'll be told "But, you're to young to retire!" for many years yet!

Although next year, I was going start using the retort "Well, my husband is 55!".

Audrey

 

[Goonie]

I try to go through the motions of appearing semi-busy...

My first day of work at the job I retired from, the guy that was teaching me the 'ropes' told me, "The first and most important thing you have to learn, is that as long as you "look" busy the boss will NEVER give you job to do! So, ALWAYS have a rag or a tool in your hand when your wandering around, and he'll think you're actually doing something!" He was right...as long as I did that, the boss never did give me more work to do! (I successfully did that for 30+ years!)

I suspect that for me, the first challenge in retirement will be to determine whether I am naturally a "night person" or a "morning person" - - in other words, when to go to bed.

When I first retired, I tried to figure it out....then I just decided to go with the flow. When get tired, I go to bed. When I'm not tired anymore, I get up. So sometimes I go to bed at 10pm, and sometimes not 'til the wee hours....1:30 or 2am....maybe 3am if I'm watching a good ol' western. And, likewise, sometimes I get up at 7 or 7:30am, and sometimes not 'til 9 or 10am. I normally no longer have a predetermined schedule, routine, or regimen.....kinda the same as the years before the 'big people' forced me go to kindergarten!!!

My sleep duration isn't based on a certain number of hour either. It's only based on when I'm tired, and when I'm rested. And once in a while (especially during the summer when it's hot outside) I take an afternoon siesta to 'refresh'.

And the ONLY time I use an alarm clock, is when I have to get up a certain time for an appointment or to head out on a road trip.

 

[Khan]

My first day of work at the job I retired from, the guy that was teaching me the 'ropes' told me, "The first and most important thing you have to learn, is that as long as you "look" busy the boss will NEVER give you job to do! So, ALWAYS have a rag or a tool in your hand when your wandering around, and he'll think you're actually doing something!" He was right...as long as I did that, the boss never did give me more work to do! (I successfully did that for 30+ years!)


When I first retired, I tried to figure it out....then I just decided to go with the flow. When get tired, I go to bed. When I'm not tired anymore, I get up. So sometimes I go to bed at 10pm, and sometimes not 'til the wee hours....1:30 or 2am....maybe 3am if I'm watching a good ol' western. And, likewise, sometimes I get up at 7 or 7:30am, and sometimes not 'til 9 or 10am. I normally no longer have a predetermined schedule, routine, or regimen.....kinda the same as the years before the 'big people' forced me go to kindergarten!!!

My sleep duration isn't based on a certain number of hour either. It's only based on when I'm tired, and when I'm rested. And once in a while (especially during the summer when it's hot outside) I take an afternoon siesta to 'refresh'.

And the ONLY time I use an alarm clock, is when I have to get up a certain time for an appointment or to head out on a road trip.

I think I've used the alarm 3 times in the last 5 years.

 

[Bestwifeever]

I wrote a novel.

 

[audreyh1]

I wrote a novel.

Cool!

 

[harley]

I suspect that for me, the first challenge in retirement will be to determine whether I am naturally a "night person" or a "morning person" - - in other words, when to go to bed.

It's interesting, but I have found that most people continue on pretty much the same schedule they had while w*rking, assuming you had a set schedule. My buddies all got up early, headed into the j*b, got home at a decent hour, and went to bed early (by my standards). They still do that, minus the j*b. I worked a lot of nights over the years, and now I'm lucky if I get to bed by 2 or 3 am. I get up around 9. I don't know if it becomes ingrained, or we were just lucky enough to w*rk j*bs that matched our cycles.

One interesting aspect, my night w*rk was often intermittent, pager or cell phone going off two or three times a might. It took me over a year after ER to learn to sleep straight through the might without waking up for a couple of hours a couple of times. Now, though, I sleep like a baby.

 

[audreyh1]

In retirement I actually started going to bed earlier, and being much happier to wake up early, even though I no longer "had to".

Another major change - switched to showering before bed rather than after waking up in prep to go to work.

I actually thing there may be lots of shifts in daily schedule, as you rearrange your activities to suit your personal time, rather than having a work schedule determine when/how you do your chores.

Audrey

 

[freebird5825]

Learn to relax. How am I doing?

Seriously, between life events and w*rk stress, I was one big mess physically and emotionally. I consider this to be a time to recover, regroup, reinvent myself, and see what happens next. This is 180 degrees out of phase from how I lived before.

I know I still have songs to sing...