How do you survive last x months... Excruciating

[Toddtheformeraccountant]

So I I have another 10 months or so before ER... have given notice...and I cannot stand being here. BS bucket is overflowing. How did other folks mentally get through the last several months? Looking for tips. I have to stick it out...and I am blessed to be in the position to ER.. but just looking for suggestions from others.

 

[Lakewood90712]

Alcohol ..................... ? 10 mo notice ? are you a key employee or a partner at the firm ?

 

[Bir48die]

It’s so easy. Relax! Have fun. Come in a little late. Leave a little early. Don’t take anything seriously. Look at people and know they will be paying into the system for you. Take a long lunch. Google things on the internet. Do every retirement planner known to man. Make budget spreadsheets. Read articles on the computer. Nap at your desk

 

[street]

I do understand what you are going through. I was asked before I retire if I would let them know one year in advance of my retiring. I had no problem with that but also told them with that much advance when the time got closer to a year I would pick the exact date then.
It is kind of a hard way to go out but I really coasted and had a lot of time to get my ducks in a row. I liked giving a longer notice because it prepared me more and was a very relaxed year as I turned over the decision making to others. Be patient it will come sooner then you think.

 

[ziggy29]

"One day at a time" is a cliche, but if you can concentrate on that, not a countdown with "300 days" left, it might be a little easier. Don't forget to enjoy life along the way!

10 mo notice ? are you a key employee or a partner at the firm ?

Could just be that's the earliest date they qualify for retirement based on age and/or years of service. If that's the case, "giving notice" could just be an informal heads-up to the boss, not a written letter of intended resignation required by the employer for retirement paperwork.

 

[audreyh1]

So I I have another 10 months or so before ER... have given notice...and I cannot stand being here. BS bucket is overflowing. How did other folks mentally get through the last several months? Looking for tips. I have to stick it out...and I am blessed to be in the position to ER.. but just looking for suggestions from others.

I definitely took a step back emotionally. I let far more roll over me. Didn't aggressively pursue new projects, etc. But otherwise did my work.

Folks did notice this at work. I was awarded a stock option grant that was far lower than it had been in the past.

When I announced my resignation to immediate superiors (not at large) the initial reaction was that it was due to this lower stock option grant! Obviously it was the other way around.

 

[Toddtheformeraccountant]

Alcohol ..................... ? 10 mo notice ? are you a key employee or a partner at the firm ?

I'm a relatively key employee, and I wouldn't feel right about leaving until my successor is in place and somewhat up to speed....

 

[Dtail]

It’s so easy. Relax! Have fun. Come in a little late. Leave a little early. Don’t take anything seriously. Look at people and know they will be paying into the system for you. Take a long lunch. Google things on the internet. Do every retirement planner known to man. Make budget spreadsheets. Read articles on the computer. Nap at your desk

Sounds about right to me.

 

[Aerides]

I'm a relatively key employee, and I wouldn't feel right about leaving until my successor is in place and somewhat up to speed....

Welp...it's too late unless you can change your notice, but I would have told you that there is almost no difference between giving 2 months or 10 for that purpose.

Unless you are in a teeny tiny firm, your employer will not replace you until the last couple of months, after a slow and non-urgent search. 10 months is longer than C-suite gives at major companies. It will be squandered by almost any company.

 

[MRG]

I had ten months on my plan and my VP went on a little temper tantrum. I gave notice a couple weeks later.

If I was going to stick it out I'd mentally shut down. Just hang out, watch the comedy show and relax. Meditation is beneficial.

 

[ziggy29]

Welp...it's too late unless you can change your notice, but I would have told you that there is almost no difference between giving 2 months or 10 for that purpose.

Unless you are in a teeny tiny firm, your employer will not replace you until the last couple of months, after a slow and non-urgent search. 10 months is longer than C-suite gives at major companies. It will be squandered by almost any company.

Yes. Depending on the circumstances I might give a verbal heads-up to my boss ahead of time -- if I had enough respect and regard for them -- but I would never submit a *written* notice to retire until I had to.

 

[Toddtheformeraccountant]

Welp...it's too late unless you can change your notice, but I would have told you that there is almost no difference between giving 2 months or 10 for that purpose.

Unless you are in a teeny tiny firm, your employer will not replace you until the last couple of months, after a slow and non-urgent search. 10 months is longer than C-suite gives at major companies. It will be squandered by almost any company.

Actually the search is definitely on.. I'm interviewing first candidates this week. So they are taking advantage of the opportunity.

 

[Toddtheformeraccountant]

It’s so easy. Relax! Have fun. Come in a little late. Leave a little early. Don’t take anything seriously. Look at people and know they will be paying into the system for you. Take a long lunch. Google things on the internet. Do every retirement planner known to man. Make budget spreadsheets. Read articles on the computer. Nap at your desk

Thank you... That's good advice! I do think I need to get a little out of my head. Just sent an email to boss about taking some days off over the next month... That should help!!

 

[Toddtheformeraccountant]

I do understand what you are going through. I was asked before I retire if I would let them know one year in advance of my retiring. I had no problem with that but also told them with that much advance when the time got closer to a year I would pick the exact date then.
It is kind of a hard way to go out but I really coasted and had a lot of time to get my ducks in a row. I liked giving a longer notice because it prepared me more and was a very relaxed year as I turned over the decision making to others. Be patient it will come sooner then you think.

Thank you street!!

 

[W2R]

So I I have another 10 months or so before ER... have given notice...and I cannot stand being here. BS bucket is overflowing. How did other folks mentally get through the last several months? Looking for tips. I have to stick it out...and I am blessed to be in the position to ER.. but just looking for suggestions from others.

Clean out your office. Go through any files or emails and shred or delete all the old ones that others won't need after you have retired. Return anything borrowed.

Try to think of what you need to do (and when) to make the transition as seamless as possible, and easier on everybody.

But at the same time, start thinking about any who are jerks as irrelevant to your life, because they are, now. When they are giving you BS, just stare at them blankly like they are crazy (because they are, since at this point just about nothing can make a whole lot of difference to you).

Make a list of all the days you will need to work for the next 10 months. Every morning when you get to work, cross off another day on that list. You will be surprised at how fast that list gets smaller.

Plan for (daydream about) your retirement and what you want to do once you are retired. Make a list of things you wish you were doing instead of working. Figure out what institutional knowledge or ins and outs of your job need to be transferred to others before you leave, and to whom, and how. This will probably be easier for you than it was for me, since my work involved classified information and that can get complicated.

I officially gave notice about 6-8 months before I retired, which was a normal amount of notice for a senior scientist at my agency to give. Also since my supervisor was also my friend, I told her privately that this was coming up a year or so before then.

Also, in my case, I saved up the maximum vacation time (given that we had use or lose). Then I used all of it during the last few months; a week vacation, then a week or two back, and repeat. That was my choice even though I could have been paid for the vacation time. I just preferred to use it, to lower my stress levels during those last few difficult months before retirement.

 

[ziggy29]

But at the same time, start thinking about any who are jerks as irrelevant to your life, because they are, now. When they are giving you BS, just stare at them blankly like they are crazy (because they are, since at this point just about nothing can make a whole lot of difference to you).

Plus, every time they are a jerk to you, just silently remind yourself that soon, your time will be your own while he/she continues on for (probably) years and years of continued wage slavery....

 

[gamboolman]

TTA
I'm with you. I'm oversea's and it is 7 days per GD week. With the pooters and GD cell phones it is 16 hrs a day 10 months per year.

I have 7 working months or 10 if I go afew more OMM's - one more months.....

Till then - here is how I'm coping....

Until I can be chasing Ms. gamboolgal around the old 4 poster - buck neckid......full time in Gods Country

 

[ugeauxgirl]

I have LOTS of annual tasks, and after every one I hate, I do a mental dance and remind myself that I'll never have to do THAT again.

Its getting real for me now, my replacement is doing the last hiring screening today. Too late to back out now.

New challenge- rearranging office for replacement to train with me.

I have several timers, one is a "Mondays Left " counter. It's fun scratching those out once a week. I have 48 left!

 

[Helen]

For my last six months I made sur I had a three day weekend every three weeks. I used holidays, comp time and vacation time. That way I would tell myself only two weeks until a three day weekend, and I stayed focused on the short term.

You are in the home stretch, breath a sigh of relief!

 

[Retired Expat]

Take a few days off, see if you can telecommute some days or work a shorter week.

Most importantly use this time to get things in order. Take a hard look at your budget and figure out how things will change. Not just the weekly check not coming in but getting shirts and suits cleaned, lunches our everyday, commuting costs etc memberships and what not. Work on reducing expenses and changing spending habits...

Make a list of the new things you want to do and research them. Home repairs, travel, hobbies, books you want to read, languages you always wanted to learn. Focus on the future as your work and work life which was likely all consuming is coming to an end. Welcome to the rest of your life!

 

[WestUniversity]

So I I have another 10 months or so before ER... have given notice...and I cannot stand being here. BS bucket is overflowing. How did other folks mentally get through the last several months? Looking for tips. I have to stick it out...and I am blessed to be in the position to ER.. but just looking for suggestions from others.

I gave almost 3 months notice. For me it was day by day. I downloaded a countdown app into my phone. It was reassuring to see the days steadily drop off...

 

[Rustic23]

Do your job. The last thing I wanted was someone I worked with to say. "I'm sure glad he's gone, the last year he was totally worthless. He retired a year ago."

 

[MarieIG]

Work hard at your job.

Plan a once-a-month treat for yourself (long weekend/ concert/ bed & breakfast with DW).

 

[Pellice]

I was rather grimly focused on gutting it out, and my initial plan, which was like Helen's - parceling out a lot of vacation and comp days over the year - got tossed by my superiors who preferred me to just work through and leave the place earlier, which caused me more tension. I got so focused that I gave up exercise and ate poorly (Costco mac and cheese trays were SO comforting), and I consequently got diagnosed with high blood pressure. I think that last 8 months had something to do with it. So, try to not get caught up too much in the "I MUST get all this extra done and I don't want to do it anymore" focus.

Was back to my normal exercise and eating as soon as I left.

 

[CaptTom]

It’s so easy. Relax! Have fun. Come in a little late. Leave a little early. Don’t take anything seriously. Look at people and know they will be paying into the system for you. Take a long lunch. Google things on the internet. Do every retirement planner known to man. Make budget spreadsheets. Read articles on the computer. Nap at your desk

...my superiors who preferred me to just work through and leave the place earlier, which caused me more tension. I got so focused that I gave up exercise and ate poorly (Costco mac and cheese trays were SO comforting), and I consequently got diagnosed with high blood pressure. I think that last 8 months had something to do with it.

There you go. Two options. Your choice.

I think you get my drift. Your attitude should be much different now. What are they gonna do, fire you? Show some respect, get a reasonable amount of work done, and if anyone demands more, just say no. It gets easier with time.