Life
I retired early with a reduced age pension and since then the world has opened up. I feel like I am now living the life I always dreamed of. Several people at the retirement club asked me out on dates and I have been with a fantastic widower for two years. We go to wellness, he takes me to the opera, and we get together with his friends. It’s like living a second youth.
Without reason
I thought retirement would start a new chapter, but for me it only brought isolation. I divorced, my children have flown the nest, so I live alone, and since my friends are not as active as I am, I could participate in far fewer social programs than I wished. At work, I was always among people and that energized me. I couldn’t bear that there was no reason to get up in the mornings, so I went back to work part-time.
Relax
Since I don’t have to get up early anymore—because I can go to bed late and get up late—I always wake up refreshed. I realized that I had practically suffered from sleep deprivation since I was six years old, which is why I was always lethargic and grumpy. Since I’ve been getting enough sleep, my zest for life has returned, I’m full of energy, and I feel like I’ve become younger. Our sex life with my husband is better than at any time since the children were born!
Finally!
Thanks to my investments, I was able to retire at 47. I divorced, had no children, and finally gained the freedom I had always longed for. Traveling has always been my passion and now I can finally indulge in my hobby without limits. Of course, my budget is limited too, but since I’m not bound by any schedule, I can snap up discounted, cheap accommodations and plane tickets. Sometimes my friends join me, but I also enjoy traveling alone. I have been living like this for five years and I don’t think I will ever get bored.
Idly
While I was working, I felt useful. I had an important role in society and after retirement, I went crazy from idleness, feeling like a parasite who contributes nothing to the world. Now I make myself useful by babysitting my grandchildren to help my daughter and her family.
Bored
In the year before my retirement, I joked every week about how nice it would be to go down to the Danube bank with a beer in my hand, just walking, feeding the ducks, and watching the water. But when I could finally do it, I got bored quite quickly because I realized that if I continued, I would become a loafer on the shore, nothing more.
Meaningful
My husband ran a shipping company, he was looking forward to retirement and is really enjoying it: he tinkers all day with the house or the car, does some DIY in the shed, and I can see he is happy. I, however, felt selfish as a pediatrician, tending the flower bed at home instead of helping a sick child. I couldn’t stand the idleness at home for long and went back to work, just taking fewer days. I think this is when someone’s job is their calling.
Closed in
My husband and I retired almost at the same time and we couldn’t stand each other. We agreed that if we had to be together all day, we would definitely divorce, so we designated one room as his office where he works remotely (and I never go in), and I started volunteering and I really enjoy it.
Actively
Now I live an almost equally exciting and active social life as I did in my teens. We invite friends for lunch or we go to their place for dinner. We can do this because we don’t have to get up early the next day, and there are no urgent tasks. Finally, I can read as much as I want. I rediscovered how much I love cooking and I try new recipes. I enjoy the time spent with grandchildren, park walks, and coffee chats with friends. Now I understand why the English call this period the "golden years."
Meaningfully
If I had known how much my quality of life would change, I would have retired years ago. First of all, the work-related stress disappeared; I no longer have to worry about lazy colleagues, mistakes, and tight deadlines. Secondly, I finally have time for everything. I started renovating my apartment, which I really enjoy. I began courses on topics that have always interested me. I got out of the rat race. While working, I never caught up with myself and just pushed tasks ahead, but now I do things comfortably while focusing on what brings me joy. I only regret that my body is no longer like it was in my youth, so I can only indulge in hobbies that my health allows.
