Many Americans try retirement, then change their minds

[Teacher Terry]

I have used the MBTI for career counseling and workplace disputes. When people see how different everyone's types are if helps them to understand that others view things at work differently then themselves. It is great for marriage counseling too. When people answer the questions with their first response it works well. But if people agonize over the questions and debate back and forth they will not get good results. In my experience people tend to get the same results when taken more then once. It is just one of many tools that can be helpful if used correctly.

[Teacher Terry]

7 months after retiring I started to do some consulting. About that time I was asked to teach an online college course which I have done for 5 years. I recently gave up the consulting but still love the course.

[braumeister]

The first time I retired I was just 43. I fully expected it to last, but within 3-4 months I started getting antsy and wanting some more structure in my life. I was fortunate to find the perfect job for a second career and was w*rking away at it within six months. Did that happily for 12 years (for a variety of employers including myself) and then retired permanently.

So what I learned is that not only does the mindset vary between individuals, but also within each person at different stages of their life.

[brucethebroker]

[QUOTE=JustCurious;2032263]
Why are people doing this?

“It looks like something people are doing intentionally, instead of an oh-my-god response: ‘I’m running out of money; I have to go back to work,’” she said. “It’s much more about a choice.”

” Earning money, while welcomed, rarely proved the primary incentive.

Yep, and I have a bridge to sell you, too....
How many people, who can NOT afford to stay retired, are going to admit it? The last election polls are proof that not everyone tells the truth when asked.

[Music Lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ready I'm not surprised by the findings in the article. Lack of social engagement can be very isolating for some people, and for those who relied heavily on work to provide it, retirement can feel lonely. I've had to really work hard to replace my work activities with enough social activities to feel satisfied. It's getting a lot better, but I continue to feel like I could use more social stimulation, which surprises me because when I worked all day I couldn't wait to get home and have some alone time.

I don't think your situation is all that surprising. You required a certain amount of social stimulation each day but work provided too much which is why you were happy to get home and have time to yourself. But, once you retired "too much" social stimulation instantly became "not enough".

[Shanky]

In the same boat as many other responders. I would feel that taking compensation for anything at all is a failure to embrace retirement. It has taken me out of my comfort zone, but the engagement, pride, purpose I got from my career is outweighed by my need to develop new interests, competencies and some humility. My professional self was well developed, working on the "human" self now.

[Prime Number]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ready Lack of social engagement can be very isolating for some people, and for those who relied heavily on work to provide it, retirement can feel lonely. I've had to really work hard to replace my work activities with enough social activities to feel satisfied. It's getting a lot better, but I continue to feel like I could use more social stimulation, which surprises me because when I worked all day I couldn't wait to get home and have some alone time.

I feel the exact same way, even down to the needing some alone time after work.

I retired early and moved to a foreign country so that my partner could take care of his aging parents. I feel pretty socially isolated, even though I've made a few friends and have been diligently going to school to learn the language. Every now and then, I half-heartedly apply for jobs because I really miss social interaction and also feeling competent/accomplished/respected, but then sigh from relief when they don't call me back. I'm not 100% sure I could go back to the crazy rat race of my (former) profession; I worked a lot of hours and spent very little time on outside of work activities. I think not cultivating hobbies before quitting also contributes to my feelings. If I were back in the US, I would probably volunteer, but there aren't a ton of volunteer organizations here, since it's a socialistic country.

So, to answer JustCurious's original question: I haven't gone back to work, but I really do think about it a lot.

[ER Eddie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6miths Thanks for this. I knew of Myers-Briggs from school but was never subjected to it myself likely because I was never in the business world I guess. I'm always intrigued when people lead with their INTJ status here. This is the first place I have ever seen it used as a personal descriptor. In the article, it looks like 'The Big Five' or HEXACO will replace the MBTI. I know in sessions I have done related to student support and education that they have been talking about 'The Big Five' rather than the MBTI. It's hard to believe that a test used by so long by Big Business could fail to assess 'emotional stability' and 'honesty-humility'... on second thought.

Just FYI, the Myers-Briggs really isn't well-respected by people who know personality assessment. Hasn't been for decades. It's been a pop-psych phenomenon, more the result of good marketing than good science.

Credit where it's due, though -- the first factor, Introversion, has stood the test of time and is very important (tho M-B over-represents it). But Big Five is a much better way to understand personality. It's well-supported by decades of research.

[Lawrencewendall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ER Eddie Just FYI, the Myers-Briggs really isn't well-respected by people who know personality assessment. Hasn't been for decades. It's been a pop-psych phenomenon, more the result of good marketing than good science. Credit where it's due, though -- the first factor, Introversion, has stood the test of time and is very important (tho M-B over-represents it). But Big Five is a much better way to understand personality. It's well-supported by decades of research.

I came across the Jung personality test about 15 years ago. I found the results interesting but didn't agree with everything. It felt more like a horoscope and could apply to anybody. I printed it out and showed the DW and pointed out things I disagreed with. She said heck no! Those areas fit me to a T. who knew? I've probably taken it at least 10 times since then with the same results and my w*k has aligned with that assessment. YMMV

[Scuba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanky In the same boat as many other responders. I would feel that taking compensation for anything at all is a failure to embrace retirement. It has taken me out of my comfort zone, but the engagement, pride, purpose I got from my career is outweighed by my need to develop new interests, competencies and some humility. My professional self was well developed, working on the "human" self now.

Well said for me too. I’ve been enjoying exploring how to redefine myself outside of my previous work identity. I’ve turned down several consulting offers and don’t regret it. If I still needed the money, I wouldn’t have RE’d.

But YMMV. I do believe there are different strokes for different folks and it’s not “wrong” for someone who retired to go back to work if that is what makes them happy. Retirement is all about making fulfilling choices.

[superdave]

I started a small concert and wedding photography business after retirement. Gets me into some great concerts and makes some pocket money. Good fun.

[albireo13]

Anything outside MegaCorp will be good.

[eytonxav]

I retired at 54 due to a favorable voluntary retirement offering, that lasted two months, then retired again at 57 because my entire organization was eliminated and that hiatus lasted 1 year, and finally retired for good at 63, as I was sick and tired of driving 35 miles to and from work thru 2 major construction projects.

I suppose I could have stayed in my initial job for another 10 years as I was being paid a lot, but after our company went through a so-called merger of equals, the newco was such a toxic environment that it was killing my mental/physical health.

[Huston55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFW_M5 I retired at 54 due to a favorable voluntary retirement offering, that lasted two months, then retired again at 57 because my entire organization was eliminated and that hiatus lasted 1 year, and finally retired for good at 63, as I was sick and tired of driving 35 miles to and from work thru 2 major construction projects. I suppose I could have stayed in my initial job for another 10 years as I was being paid a lot, but after our company went through a so-called merger of equals, the newco was such a toxic environment that it was killing my mental/physical health.

Practice makes perfect!

[Rianne]

FIRE is a term that means you don't have to work for money. I think there are many FIRE people who still work because they enjoy it, gosh so many! To me, FIRE is freedom, freedom to choose. If the forest preserve offered me a paying job, I would certainly consider it. I love it there and spend most of my time there because I want to.

[Shanky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rianne FIRE is a term that means you don't have to work for money. I think there are many FIRE people who still work because they enjoy it, gosh so many! To me, FIRE is freedom, freedom to choose. If the forest preserve offered me a paying job, I would certainly consider it. I love it there and spend most of my time there because I want to.

That would be FI, not FIRE.

[Fleur58]

In my case I had to quit at almost 58 to get out of an untenable work situation. Luckily I could afford to do so even though there was no pension. I never looked for a job I was so disoriented and disappointed. However, after a year of going crazy with nothing to do except vacations; I started taking courses to be an ESOL Teacher. Right decision. I had homework to do, classes to attend, and volunteer opportunities to participate in. Now 2 years into the "retirement" I am about to get my ESOL certificate at almost 60. I may continue to volunteer or seek a part-time paying position. I don't "need" the money I just need something to do a few days a week. When you have nothing to do, the days seem endless. I don't even wear a watch anymore. I don't want to teach English everyday, a few days per week helps to break up the monotony.

[UnrealizedPotential]

Fleur58,
I say go for it! Nothing wrong with that since you enjoy it or at least keeps you busy. You can do it for as long as you like.

[HI Bill]

I'm 52 years old, and planning to retire from full-time consulting work, which I've been doing non-stop for 27 years. On the weekends, I'm perfectly content to stay in bed with my wife until 11, then have a leisurely brunch, then nap, then try to get motivated to do something in the late afternoon. My idea of retirement is starting each day with either a scuba dive, working out or lap swimming, then on to photo editing, and/or writing articles for dive magazines. If I get bored with all that, I may take up wedding photography as a part-time hobby. Guess I'm ready to repurpose my life, rather than to retire now that I'm FI.

I was at a friend's condo in Waikiki a couple of weeks ago, and she doesn't work, and her husband is in the mainland working on his hobby (growing corn). I asked her what she does all day, and it's mostly just going out with friends. Not sure I could get by with just doing that!

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNL Bill I was at a friend's condo in Waikiki a couple of weeks ago, and she doesn't work, and her husband is in the mainland working on his hobby (growing corn).

I wonder how this woman feels about her husband preferring corn growing to spending time with her. Perhaps there are other elements to this otherwise hard to understand tale?

Ha