Popular Post bows00 Posted June 13, 2017 Popular Post Posted June 13, 2017 At 56, retirement is finally a reality. It hit me yesterday when my boss refused to assign me any new projects, but instead, assigned a new engineer to mentor and pass on 31 years of experience that is packed in my brain - which is currently full of mixed emotions. I had envisioned this point of my career to be a happy one, especially when I have a plan in place to travel the Philippines, but the psychological ramifications are not that simple. And the finality of retirement is worth a second thought. Once I pull the trigger, there is no going back. Is it just fear of letting go of a structured lifestyle? Or the fear of possibly experiencing the 3-D's that some men go through in retirement - Depression, Drink and Divorce... Or is it just cold feet? I am about 80% sure I will eventually like my new life, but nothing is guaranteed in life. Anybody experience something similar? Or were you absolutely sure of your decision? 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Huggybearman Posted June 13, 2017 Popular Post Posted June 13, 2017 I think it is only natural to feel apprehension at your impending retirement. I also had similar feelings as my retirement approached. Despite being very sure it was the right time, I still felt a little regret at leaving behind the security of a long career. Especially as I opted to take retirement five years early. That was five years ago and those feelings very soon disappeared and I can honestly say I have had no regrets. I suppose that the move to the Philippines was made easier as over the years I had travelled widely with my work, and lived in several countries including India and Cuba so I had a pretty good idea as to what to expect. The fear of the unknown is always a little unsettling but provided you have a plan 'B' just in case things don't pan out as expected I am sure things will work out for you as well. If you haven't spent much time in the Philippines then it would be worth living here for, say, six months before you finally decide. Good luck with whatever you decide. Ken 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AlwaysRt Posted June 13, 2017 Popular Post Posted June 13, 2017 39 minutes ago, bows00 said: At 56, retirement is finally a reality. It hit me yesterday when my boss refused to assign me any new projects, but instead, assigned a new engineer to mentor and pass on 31 years of experience that is packed in my brain - which is currently full of mixed emotions. I had envisioned this point of my career to be a happy one, especially when I have a plan in place to travel the Philippines, but the psychological ramifications are not that simple. And the finality of retirement is worth a second thought. Once I pull the trigger, there is no going back. Is it just fear of letting go of a structured lifestyle? Or the fear of possibly experiencing the 3-D's that some men go through in retirement - Depression, Drink and Divorce... Or is it just cold feet? I am about 80% sure I will eventually like my new life, but nothing is guaranteed in life. Anybody experience something similar? Or were you absolutely sure of your decision? Yup, it is perfectly natural to have both the fear of the unknown and the fear of change - even for those 'absolutely sure' of their decision. For me, and others I have talked to, the fear somewhat quickly (depending on how much time you are taking to transition) changes into lifting of previously unknown weight from your shoulders and a feeling of freedom. Obviously everyone is different but it is the most common experience I am aware of. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jake Posted June 13, 2017 Popular Post Posted June 13, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, bows00 said: Or the fear of possibly experiencing the 3-D's that some men go through in retirement - Depression, Drink and Divorce... Or is it just cold feet? I am about 80% sure I will eventually like my new life, but nothing is guaranteed in life. Anybody experience something similar? Or were you absolutely sure of your decision? Hey Bows, Yes, you are absolutely correct that nothing is guaranteed in life, especially upon retirement. However, at 56 years old, you're still young enough to revert back to your comfort zone of work related stress (really?). As an engineer, you always set up contingency plans. You design and see whether the blueprints, programs or applications need more tweaking. Logic is one of your mindsets -- pass or fail, true or false. One of the most difficult aspect of transitioning to complete retirement is learning how to relax. It took me nearly one year after my retirement from 21 years of active service on various warships. I still wear my divers watch but I hardly care what time of day it is. Every day is nearly a Sunday for me, even though I still get up early, pig out on a hearty breakfast and then pursue my outdoor hobbies that were lost a long time ago. I challenge you to just chill for a few hours, reading a Tom Clancy novel on a deserted beach, sipping mango daiquiris and most important.....get rid of your smartphone for awhile. Get into photography with a long lens -- perfect way to make new friends with genuine relationships. Relax mode, zero state Slightly stressed out mode but no worries! Go for it -- stress free excitement is waiting for you! The hell with logic..... Edited June 13, 2017 by Jake spel chek 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tukaram (Tim) Posted June 13, 2017 Popular Post Posted June 13, 2017 I never had any doubt, but then again all I wanted to do after high school was retire. I guess I was lucky to have never really had a comfort zone. I have always had a wander lust, and fell in love with Asia in my Navy days. I quit work at 48 (5 years ago) and I am still a year and a half from retirement. I have never regretted it. I sold my house and gave away my car with no second thoughts. My dad warned me to never retire because I would be bored. I laughed and said that he was bored - I would not be. But he identified himself by his job, I never did. Work paid for my life, it was never more than a means to an end for me. Your mileage may vary 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Happyhorn52 Posted June 13, 2017 Popular Post Posted June 13, 2017 At your age, you are probably feeling that you are being pushed out the door a little early. For me, I was a 61 year old Accountant going thru a software systems upgrade when they called me into my bosses office and told me that the new system would require fewer people and that I was getting the retirement package. It took about 20 minutes to sink in that I had a sizeable nest egg ($500,000) and that I could ride unemployment insurance until I was eligible to take SS early. After 2 years hanging around Houston spending all my time between the tv, the computer, and the refrigerator I decided to put the house on the market and move to the Philippines. So far it is the right decision as I'm getting out and walking more and have dropped 30 pounds and fee great. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Old55 Posted June 13, 2017 Forum Support Posted June 13, 2017 Bows, perfectly normal and prudent to have some anxiety after working 31 years. This is a huge change, a huge change for the better! Steve and I are going through the same thing but you are farther ahead of us. Having a very well paid job is not easy to walk away from. Has your company a retirement class? If not for sure there are some available most deal with the financial aspect but also doubts you may have too. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jpbago Posted June 14, 2017 Popular Post Posted June 14, 2017 It wasn't the fear of retirement that got me as I had retired 7 years before I came here but the fear was in my first trip to the Philippines. At Manila, I had to transfer terminals by bus. There was about 20 foreigners with lots of luggage in the transfer bus stuck in traffic. Tandem riders on m/cs were passing by inches away from the open door and even riding by on the sidewalk. It seemed like a robbery waiting to happen. Then going from the Bacolod airport to my hotel, there were sweaty men in bare feet and no shirts criss-crossing the street and pissing on walls. Tin shacks right up to the road, garbage, smoke, and mangy dogs everywhere. I was thinking where in the hell am I. I had been to poor countries before but nothing like this. I did not leave my hotel for 3 days. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virginprune Posted June 14, 2017 Posted June 14, 2017 2 hours ago, Tukaram (Tim) said: I never had any doubt, but then again all I wanted to do after high school was retire. I guess I was lucky to have never really had a comfort zone. I have always had a wander lust, and fell in love with Asia in my Navy days. I quit work at 48 (5 years ago) and I am still a year and a half from retirement. I have never regretted it. I sold my house and gave away my car with no second thoughts. My dad warned me to never retire because I would be bored. I laughed and said that he was bored - I would not be. But he identified himself by his job, I never did. Work paid for my life, it was never more than a means to an end for me. Your mileage may vary That could have been written by me 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickleback99 Posted June 14, 2017 Popular Post Posted June 14, 2017 7 hours ago, bows00 said: At 56, retirement is finally a reality. It hit me yesterday when my boss refused to assign me any new projects, but instead, assigned a new engineer to mentor and pass on 31 years of experience that is packed in my brain - which is currently full of mixed emotions. I had envisioned this point of my career to be a happy one, especially when I have a plan in place to travel the Philippines, but the psychological ramifications are not that simple. And the finality of retirement is worth a second thought. Once I pull the trigger, there is no going back. Is it just fear of letting go of a structured lifestyle? Or the fear of possibly experiencing the 3-D's that some men go through in retirement - Depression, Drink and Divorce... Or is it just cold feet? I am about 80% sure I will eventually like my new life, but nothing is guaranteed in life. Anybody experience something similar? Or were you absolutely sure of your decision? Right behind you and Some similar thoughts or emotions as I punt and hang it up end of Sept, But I know I am going to be much happier afterwards...no more all-nighters to even 48 hrs of no sleep responding to operational calls, cases, etc. The Only thing I will miss, much as you hear pro athletes say, is the "locker room", but I figure time to start a New locker room with other expats and get back into diving, etc. Heck, if I could walk out Today and have the pension pay start up soonest, I would....just Tired. More importantly, knowing My Time is MINE and My family's with more time to spend traveling, doing fun stuff w/ Asawa and with our 2 yr old watching him grow, etc, And that money should never be an issue once we settle in PI, is Priceless. Now I finally get to do the things We/I wanted to truly do And never worry about I've only got 10 days to do it all, then back to the work grind, and never really being "away" from work on 24 hr call back status, the Crackberry leash, etc. That all said, I have no fear or trepidations; just wish I could get there to PI sooner, but likely Spring 2018 while we get Asawa's citizenship for US finalized. So, see you soon on that other side! Best of luck. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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