I’ve set my retirement date for the end of july, for those of you already retired,what tips can you give on handling your retirement…?
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You should never fully retire IMO, just keep your hand in.
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Think of a hobby you interested in and prepare. For me I basically renewed my interest in photography, something one can do by oneself. A hobby that can be done any time irrespective of weather, indoors or outside or day or night. If that may interest you then I may be able to help
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lots of days out, just for the fun of it
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I enjoy volunteering, lots of options, hours to suit yourself meeting people and making new friends
Wishing you good luck Primus and a happy retirement
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Everyone is surely different and reacts to the switch from work (and its problems and benefits) to not having work (and its benefits and possible problems).
Mine was an initial sense of loss of purpose and value. I did not realise that there was such a significant feedback of me adding value and worth from my work. There was a bit of “what am I about then?” once worked stopped. There was even a question of “could I have achieved more?”. The positive side is that this does go away. And if you don’t experience it at all, then great.
The other bit, as mentioned by others, is to find positive and rewarding things to fill your days and weeks. Mine were - get fitter, join a gym, cycle, walk the dogs; and get dogs to walk and for company / play; tackle some long needed work on the house and garden including biggish projects like building a brick pizza oven. A friend swears by the goal of having three different types of things to do each day - something productive (e.g. varnish the front door), something healthy (e.g. long dog walk), something creative (e.g. photography, upcycling old furniture, creating a new dish). Says that means every day is satisfying on every level.
Lastly, your social interactions change. Work provides a good number of people to interact with. Retirement risks just you and your other half, or even just you on your own. That can feel like a difficult change. Without being cynical about it, I think a bit of thinking about how to make new friends, how / when you’ll get together with existing friends, who else has so much free time, who has shared interests, etc is worthwhile. A bit of thinking ahead might be useful. Especially if retirement also means downsizing and moving.
Enough from me. Except to say its the best thing I’ve decided to do - even if it came with some money worries at first.
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I retired at 60 and have ‘worked’ ever since, but only doing what interests me and which also allows time to please myself when I feel the need.
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Get a dog ?
I found that having stopped working for a living, I’m now working for the wife. 
Problem is, the hours are longer, on half the money and I don’t get any time off.
I’ve been into photography for years and I’m getting more into it, to the point where I do paid work, but not enough to affect my tax. I do a lot of wildlife and studio work. I want to ramp it up further, but I have other commitments in the way. Once sorted, I plan to make inroads to turning professional (If I can).
I think the biggest secret to retirement is to keep busy, pursue what you enjoy and don’t waste your life in front of the telly. Obviously keeping a check on the pennies.
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To give you advice Primus I could only base it on my personal experiences.
Are you a social person or prefer your own company? are you fit, do you like to exercise or enjoy walking in the country? Do you have hobbies? And have you got enough money to travel and see the world?
I retired at sixty in 2010 and although I loved the job, I had had a heart attack back in 2004 and decided to spend more time with Mrs Fox and our family. You never know when the next one is coming or the result. I was able to continue running and walking in the wild places, the North Yorkshire Moors, Wales and the Lake District. Together with our neighbours and best friends we enjoyed many holidays together, including quite a few cruises together.
Electronics has always been my favourite hobby on the rainy days, and I continued building small projects or helping neighbours with their electrical problems.
Apart from the banter with the lads, I didn’t miss working at all, in fact I don’t really know how I had time to fit a job in.
Now money and health are running low but I still manage a good walk/jog every day and there’s enough in the kitty for a decent holiday although tiredness is a constant companion and I’m doing a lot more reading and sleeping than I used to do. Appetite is still good though…unfortunately…
My advice is to take each day as it comes, throw your watch away, and enjoy being your own boss. Most of all, don’t worry and think of all the good things you can do with the extra time.
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That would be my very first suggestion, after working all your life going “cold turkey” does not work for most.
It worked for me, glad to have my life back.
Here’s some more advice…
Don’t take Statins or any jabs unless you’re visiting Africa or India…and don’t take any notice of a GP…only a specialist…
And finally…Don’t take any notice of me…I’m a nutter…But you already knew that didn’t you Primus…
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