where did a year go? Retirement pondering...

[Orange Guzzi]

Retirement has to be defined by the individual and not by society.  Retirement to me is not a goal, but a last resort and I hope it is a very nice resort. 

Retirement to me is reaching my definition of "the leisure class".  The point of maximizing my resources for personal needs and satisfaction.  The point of sharing the fruits of my labor and the wisdom of my youth in order to lift those that are following behind me. 

While I am not "retired", I do live a leisure class life for the most part per my standards anyway.  My goals while heading to the end of my life are personal health and comfort.

I personally derive pleasure from not doing rather than doing things like cutting grass, fire wood, painting the garage, fixing the car or lawnmower.  As I said above, retirement has to be defined before it is actually attainable.  I have found that owning things brings with it lots of responsibility.  Responsibility to maintain, service, repair, move, clean, store, insure, secure and dispose of.  All consuming of leisure time and retirement time.  Some find pride and status in doing these routines.  A sense of purpose and achievement they lost when they quit working.  Me, I do not want to be the one others depend on for  repair, maintenance, schedule, dog sit, repair dead battery or taxi driver in retirement, I want others to do for me, to serve me diner, cut the grass, repair the car.  I want to be "Leisure Class".  Sitting around, sharing wisdom and experiences of the past, taking long walks, rides and naps.  Or as it was once called, The American Dream. 

I have seen many people quit their job and lose all sense of purpose.  Getting wrapped up in a world of constantly doing (and being abused) for others rather than doing for themselves.  Getting the emotional high they fed off of during their working years by doing, accomplishing and satisfying others at their own expense. 

I was force to work at age 9 to feed, house, cloth and educate my Family.  I told my self I would not  work my whole life and would have others wait on me.   I had a goal  at a young age and have stuck with it.  Sharing my achievements with those that serve my needs and wants. 

One thing we never seem to retire from is the need to be responsible for others needs and wants.   Keep some balance, or you will be regretful and carry underlying anger all the time. 

The instinct of workmanship is present in all men, and asserts itself even under very adverse circumstances. So that however wasteful a given expenditure may be in reality, it must at least have some colorable excuse in the way of an ostensible purpose.

A standard of retirement is of the nature of habit. 

[lucydad2]

Orange,

You speak much wisdom, thanks for sharing.  I am still creating my own "retirement".  Making it up as I go.  Definitely I was ready to leave my profession and the toxic Flubdub Energy.  I love just having time to live, at my own pace.  When I read a book, I really dive into it.  When I take a class, I work hard to learn as much as possible, and apply what can benefit my life, or others.  Overarching to me is personal spiritual growth.  I am branching out into service here and there, yet maintaining my freedom. Supporting family members at end of life, with Alzheimer's and other issues is one of my key activities.  Like you, I went to work early:  in my dad's drugstore, at age 12.  Work has defined my life for over a half-century.  I am done with that. 

Love my toys though.  Love the roar of the engines, wind, and sharpness needed to ride a motorcycle with safety, and with skill.

Carpe Diem.

[Testarossa]

While I am not "retired", I do live a leisure class life for the most part per my standards anyway.

By this standard I suppose I've been retired most of my life.  After my two years of national service, I chose to avoid (to the extent possible) all work that wasn't enjoyable. For four decades I managed to feed, clothe and shelter my family while enjoying life -- I certainly didn't grow rich, but made a decent living in, of all things, the ski industry. I think it was John D. MacDonald's character Travis McGee who claimed to take his retirement in installments. I do believe that anyone who makes a living by following a passion has a good shot at stress-free happiness. Unless he grows jaded and loses the passion.

[Gliderjohn]

Currently the best part is not being regularly tied down by a hard set schedule. Sure there are things we do, mostly volunteer services of one kind or the other but I could with reasonable notice cancel any of those if I wanted to do a spur of the moment trip or other activities. My days are generally quite full but the coffee breaks are longer and more frequent.
It's nice having time to deal with things. This week I had problems with my osmosis water system. I finally got things figured out and repaired without spending a dime but it took several hours plus internet time. A fellow glider club member retired a few years ago. He owns three planes and a couple bikes including a Ducati. Since he had the post retirement time he went through A&P school so he could do all his own work on his planes.
Retirement just gives one so many options. Like I said earlier it is kind of like regressing back to childhood, but in all the good ways.
GliderJohn