Going back to 1989 to the beginning of retirement. All of a sudden an extra 50 to 60 hours every week, (2500+ hours per year) with nothing that MUST be done.
So, what's the plan? Never had a plan. Just Freedom!
Let's back up to life's time:.... 8 hours of sleep... 1 1/2 hour getting up/going to bed, 1 1/2 hr of meals total of 11 hours/day or total of 4015 hours.
24 hours x 365 days = 8760 total hour in a year.
Then, before retirement, 8760 minus 4015 hours minus 2500 work hours equals 2245 hours that you already had of fun time, free time... your time, to organize and plan for how your live would be spent... vacations, work around the house, and to do all of those things like paying bills, shopping, visiting and whatever one does before retirement.
If you can buy that, and realize that your pre retirement years meant that you packed your "free" time into 2245 hours, (6 hours a day)... then... hang in there...
All of a sudden you have and EXTRA 2500 hours to do whatever you want. That's an EXTRA 7 hours a day... or a total of 13 hours of complete freedom every day, to do what you want, when you want... or not.
For some, a running start on the "bucket list", for others adjusting to that "anxiety" part of the brain that just disappeared.
In the immediate aftermath of work, for varying periods of hours, to maybe a year... the adjustment period of catching up, or perhaps the organized implementation of the plan that was years in the making. Moving, upgrading the house, reworking the finances, or maybe going on that dream vacation.
But that's just the beginning and for some, a critical time.
So here's my observation of two extremes. Roughly the difference of what we saw in two retirement communities, with couples in the beginning of retirement, ages 55 to 65... all walks of life, but mostly middle income working class folks. A large middle group between extremes, but basically two types of retirees.
1. Retirement to peace, quiet and relaxation. Wide open social schedule, subject to change at a minutes notice. Whatever feels good at the moment. Strangely enough, not what you'd call free spirits. More of a "going with the flow". At the same time, a general avoidance of any commitments, or anything that could resemble work or obligation.
2. Enthusiastic involvement in everything possible. Trip planning, volunteering, social engagements with other couple, or involvement in planning events, parties etc. Also, for some, a carryover of "work" in part time interests... fixing, consulting, teaching, organizing and generally staying busy.
In a community of 360 homes, perhaps 100 in the 1. class, 150 in the 2. class, and the rest, somewhere in between. This, in a community that would be considered active.
One personal observation. Having lived in that retirement community for over 25 years: The pattern was set when the new family moved in. Those who spent most of their time at home, continued to stay apart, while those who "joined in" in the beginning, continued to be active throughout. Not surprising I suppose, but in retrospect, those who got involved early, always seemed happier and younger... even into their 80's.
I suppose this is a no brainer, but I'm reminded of the saying "As the twig is bent...", and think that that first period of time after leaving the workplace could pave the way for the coming 30 or 40 years.
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