Ten Observations Now That We Have Been Retired For Five Years.
By Karen and Erica
We actually cannot believe we have been retired for five years.
The time has gone by quickly—faster, of course, once we found purpose in our post-career lives by figuring out our new job was to redo retirement and change the image of retired women. Such fun we wrote a book about it!
What have we learned? Many things. Here are ten:
-
Retirement is a strange status. Neither here nor there. Probably because when it was invented retirement was not intended to last very long, and not intended with women in mind. Retirement as a status must now accommodate entirely different realities. Opportunity knocks.
-
It is a very exciting time to be a retired woman. We have a clean slate upon which to create the future. Together, we can make it great.
-
COVID was a wrinkle we did not anticipate. We tell our children life will never be quite the same kind of awful as it has been during this pandemic. The only place to go is up. True for them and true for us.
-
It is also a very exciting time to be an older woman. We are among the first generation of women who will be, at one and the same time, wise and dynamic. We have the years that underlie sagacity, yet those years will not cause our minds and bodies to disintegrate the way they might have eons ago.
-
Women want a lot more out of retirement than the pallid offerings before we came along—and now that we are creating something new, men are realizing they want something different, too.
-
A surprising number of men seem to think LinkedIn is a dating site for retired professional women.
-
We have learned to enjoy our freedom without feeling, uneasily, that having freedom means we’re irrelevant.
-
It is thrilling to see how many of our peers are becoming entrepreneurs. Of course, that is partly because people will not give us jobs, but it is evidence of our energy. And our creativity.
-
We are meeting delightful people who are well outside our former spheres of activity. Elegant clothing designers, legendary ad execs, path-breaking marine biologists, fascinating book agents, younger female founders.
-
We did not enjoy retiring. But if we had stayed in our jobs we would have missed out on our new lives. That would have been a limiting mistake.
So yes! All in all, now that we’ve been through the early stages, we’re glad we retired.
There is a lot to be said for aging; inspiration, creativity, and wisdom are just a few elements I appreciate.
There is a lot to be said for aging; inspiration, creativity, and wisdom are just a few elements I appreciate.
It’s been three years for me. Having the time to pursue my interests – some of which mimic my work life and others completely different – is what keeps me busy and very content. I find that retirement offers the ability to live life more I. The moment and not always toward a future goal or endeavor.
But this just chapter 1 of retirement for me. I’m sure future chapters will look different as I my age and interests evolve.
Have to say, I appreciate this venue as a place to express these thoughts.
It’s been three years for me. Having the time to pursue my interests – some of which mimic my work life and others completely different – is what keeps me busy and very content. I find that retirement offers the ability to live life more I. The moment and not always toward a future goal or endeavor.
But this just chapter 1 of retirement for me. I’m sure future chapters will look different as I my age and interests evolve.
Have to say, I appreciate this venue as a place to express these thoughts.
Thank you for your list. I’ve been retired since December 2020 and though I had planned it and had a vision for how I wanted it to look and feel, it has been completely different. It’s like trying to explain what it feels like to give birth — you really can’t. It must be experienced. I am grateful to be healthy, vibrant and fully engaged with life as I continue to explore this new chapter. I am teaching (my calling) and I’m a stylist for mature women (my passion). Thank you. More please.
Thank you for your list. I’ve been retired since December 2020 and though I had planned it and had a vision for how I wanted it to look and feel, it has been completely different. It’s like trying to explain what it feels like to give birth — you really can’t. It must be experienced. I am grateful to be healthy, vibrant and fully engaged with life as I continue to explore this new chapter. I am teaching (my calling) and I’m a stylist for mature women (my passion). Thank you. More please.
I have been retired since December, 2016. I retired early (62) because of an elderly mother and an older husband. The plan was to retire, buy a camper and take my mother and her cat traveling with us (she and my husband were like mother and son!). Unfortunately, after I gave my notice of retirement my mother fell at age 98.2 and broke her hip. They repaired it, she moved into a nursing home and we gained a cat! I was very fortunate to have made the decision to retire prior to this incident because in my mind if I had retired BECAUSE of the incident I would have always wondered what could have been. I stayed fully retired for 15 months and went back to my old place of work two days a week (I’m still there). This enabled me to spend time with my mother every day, do things with my husband and still keep my hand in the work world. Mom died 7/29/2019 at age 101. She is missed every day but I am very glad I had the time to spend with her.
I have been retired since December, 2016. I retired early (62) because of an elderly mother and an older husband. The plan was to retire, buy a camper and take my mother and her cat traveling with us (she and my husband were like mother and son!). Unfortunately, after I gave my notice of retirement my mother fell at age 98.2 and broke her hip. They repaired it, she moved into a nursing home and we gained a cat! I was very fortunate to have made the decision to retire prior to this incident because in my mind if I had retired BECAUSE of the incident I would have always wondered what could have been. I stayed fully retired for 15 months and went back to my old place of work two days a week (I’m still there). This enabled me to spend time with my mother every day, do things with my husband and still keep my hand in the work world. Mom died 7/29/2019 at age 101. She is missed every day but I am very glad I had the time to spend with her.
Great list. I sent it to my sister who retired a number of years ago and has boldly stepped into new roles and interests with her time and energy. I also bought two copies of your well-done The Little Blue Book; it is perfect for my clients who are on the verge of retiring but nervous about taking that step. Thank you!
Thanks everyone! So glad to hear from you. And Margaret, thrilled you like the book.
Retiring this august with no trepidation! A nursing professor for 40+ years but still unsure where my next chapter will take me. Thanks for the discussions!
Retiring this august with no trepidation! A nursing professor for 40+ years but still unsure where my next chapter will take me. Thanks for the discussions!
I retired 4 years ago and have zero regrets. My favorite thing about being retired is that I have the freedom to try new things! I’ve taken up archery, pickleball, tai chi, and various crafts. I’ve made loads of new friends, moved to a different state, become a grandparent. I am never bored unless by choice.
I retired 4 years ago and have zero regrets. My favorite thing about being retired is that I have the freedom to try new things! I’ve taken up archery, pickleball, tai chi, and various crafts. I’ve made loads of new friends, moved to a different state, become a grandparent. I am never bored unless by choice.
Greetings! I am retired 1 month and 1 day – not by choice but I think I will like it if I can figure it out! I look forward to the wisdom of those of you that have more retirement time under your belts! It was my 3rd career and although I am not interested in working for money any longer I am excited to find meaningful activities. Excited to have found this group!
Greetings! I am retired 1 month and 1 day – not by choice but I think I will like it if I can figure it out! I look forward to the wisdom of those of you that have more retirement time under your belts! It was my 3rd career and although I am not interested in working for money any longer I am excited to find meaningful activities. Excited to have found this group!
Welcome! If you’ve had three careers retirement will be a snap! Let us know what you do!
Welcome! If you’ve had three careers retirement will be a snap! Let us know what you do!
Two years ago at 63, after 45 years of a stellar healthcare leadership career, I was astounded to find myself downsized along with 5 males. Then Covid hit and the rest of the world retired with me. My husband’s children’s theatre business would obviously shut due to Covid, however, the stars aligned with my surprise retirement. I became his Covid-compliance officer. We made extreme pivots. Instead of live performances, we made safe "movies" shown in socially distanced drive-In theatres. Two years later, we have 0% infections after 9 successful theatre productions. As the only camp to stay open during the summer of 2020, our popularity soared and his business doubled. "When one door shuts" as they say. My retirement advice is to pay attention to coincidences. Lynn Wilson of WillieWilsonEntertainment.com
Two years ago at 63, after 45 years of a stellar healthcare leadership career, I was astounded to find myself downsized along with 5 males. Then Covid hit and the rest of the world retired with me. My husband’s children’s theatre business would obviously shut due to Covid, however, the stars aligned with my surprise retirement. I became his Covid-compliance officer. We made extreme pivots. Instead of live performances, we made safe "movies" shown in socially distanced drive-In theatres. Two years later, we have 0% infections after 9 successful theatre productions. As the only camp to stay open during the summer of 2020, our popularity soared and his business doubled. "When one door shuts" as they say. My retirement advice is to pay attention to coincidences. Lynn Wilson of WillieWilsonEntertainment.com
20 years ago today I retired from school administration and moved to Florida. After a year of golf I got my Real Estate license. It afforded me flexibility working in school did not. I have gone scuba diving in Fiji, Tahiti, Australia, The Caymans, Belize and numerous Bahamian and Caribbean locations. I earned enough beyond my pension that I bought a 2nd home on a beach that my family enjoys and we rent. I did a 7 year volunteer stint as a Guardian ad Litem. I stay in touch with many life long friends. I am involved in a book club and 2 other Women’s groups and a golf group. Pre Covid we organized a no cook Friday dinner group. I get my 7,000 steps in daily. I love my life I have crafted.
20 years ago today I retired from school administration and moved to Florida. After a year of golf I got my Real Estate license. It afforded me flexibility working in school did not. I have gone scuba diving in Fiji, Tahiti, Australia, The Caymans, Belize and numerous Bahamian and Caribbean locations. I earned enough beyond my pension that I bought a 2nd home on a beach that my family enjoys and we rent. I did a 7 year volunteer stint as a Guardian ad Litem. I stay in touch with many life long friends. I am involved in a book club and 2 other Women’s groups and a golf group. Pre Covid we organized a no cook Friday dinner group. I get my 7,000 steps in daily. I love my life I have crafted.
I retired March, 2019 to help my son & daughter-in-law and their 2 young children…..my daughter-in-law was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer June 2018 and we lost her May, 2019…..one week before their 5-year wedding anniversary leaving behind a 3-year old son and 18 month old daughter. I had worked as a dental hygienist beginning at age 19, then returned to dental school and practiced as a general dentist, then state dental director before retiring at age 62. My son was also in dental school during his wife’s illness and passing. I am still adjusting to the many changes that have come during my retirement, including my husband’s retirement December, 2020 and a major move for us both. I’m looking forward to hearing from inspiring professional retired women to assist with this journey that we are all on. Kuddos to you for beginning a supportive and innovative platform for us all!
I retired March, 2019 to help my son & daughter-in-law and their 2 young children…..my daughter-in-law was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer June 2018 and we lost her May, 2019…..one week before their 5-year wedding anniversary leaving behind a 3-year old son and 18 month old daughter. I had worked as a dental hygienist beginning at age 19, then returned to dental school and practiced as a general dentist, then state dental director before retiring at age 62. My son was also in dental school during his wife’s illness and passing. I am still adjusting to the many changes that have come during my retirement, including my husband’s retirement December, 2020 and a major move for us both. I’m looking forward to hearing from inspiring professional retired women to assist with this journey that we are all on. Kuddos to you for beginning a supportive and innovative platform for us all!