I am a burden on society - Day 1

[WisconsinVike]

Yup, you've guessed it, as of 5:00 this morning I have been officially retired.....

I feel no sudden joy, no excitement, just apprehension

I've had a job working since I've been 14 years old.

Weekly paper routes, Sunday paper routes, washing dishes until 2:30 in the morning at an Italian restaurant,

started part time in a grocery store stocking shelves which led to a 25 year retail "career" as a Produce/Floral manager,

then a 26 year "career" in a factory. The realization finally hit me early this morning.

The one constant in my life has been doing a job - now I have no job

I am no longer a productive member of society.

I feel so....so obsolete.

and I'll leave all you working members of society with this verse from the video below

"look at all you lucky people, look at all the things you do

 look at all you happy people, wish I could be like you"

(or not?)

[royalpurple]

Maybe some volunteer work would be something for you? My Dad was a job coach after retiring, part time work helping some challenged people to be productive.
But for sure enjoy a nice break, you earned it!

[snotbubbles]

WisconsinVike ,embrace it! It was at least your choice, I hope. I was a young man still when told I needed to do some time in the rear with the gear. A gawddamn POG, and thought they doing me a favor?!? Had I been smart, I would have taken it and fattened up my retirement, but I am not very bright.
Good news is once I sorted out the BS I realized the opps I had to just to work on the homestead, scout the game trails and shoot away my pension. Things I always wish I had more time for. I even enjoy antiquing with my Wife, in fact I am into it. Woman is a druid in the garden and can work some wood too. Puts tons of time and money into real cool shit then gives it away. I get to move it....

Put a beasting on life, WV!

[OkieDokie]

Congrats!! Not easy to navigate all the work events and worries over the years. You made it! You contributed to society. Now start doing what you want to do. Travel once Kung Flu is declared over (Nov 4).

[Norseman]

WisconsinVike, Come on in, the water's fine!!

Get ready for a lot of nosy people to ask rude questions like "how will you spend your time?"

Best answer: "however I damn well please!"

I quit my job at Megacorp five years ago and I haven't been bored a single day. Quite honestly, I don't know how I ever had time for "work."

[Purplemachine]

WisconsinVike, Congratulations! Take a little time for yourself. Then maybe do something part time on YOUR schedule.

I'm only slightly jealous as I'm done in a few months myself.

[Bezerker88]

Congrats WV!

As you know, but may have forgotten by now, I took early retirement deal in 2012 when offered by MEGA corp. My mom was just diagnosed with Colon Cancer and my dad was in his Alzheimer tailspin. So I figured they needed me more than MEGA Corp. I had no job for the first two years, but then found a part time job driving for a local business. 2-3 days a week. Just a distraction really as, like you, I was always working, walking beans, detassling, bailing hay and paper routes as a kid and thought that's what I was supposed to do. Work. But it's not. We are suppose to be out in the forest hunting and gathering... playing music, being creative... living free.... man I sound like a GD hippee. LOL. Long story,,, longer. Find something part time if you wanna... and if not... Sit back and enjoy life, learn new shit every week, cooking, play an instrument, photography,(astrophotograpy if you have way too much money you need to burn through) collect things, fish, hunt all that shit. If you've ever wanted to do something but never had the time... now is that time. Most important is enjoying life. Good Luck my friend.

And to that 40+ hour work week...

[snotbubbles]

Aug 1, 2020 12:57:35 GMT -6 Bezerker88 said:

Congrats WV!

As you know, but may have forgotten by now, I took early retirement deal in 2012 when offered by MEGA corp. My mom was just diagnosed with Colon Cancer and my dad was in his Alzheimer tailspin. So I figured they needed me more than MEGA Corp. I had no job for the first two years, but then found a part time job driving for a local business. 2-3 days a week. Just a distraction really as, like you, I was always working, walking beans, detassling, bailing hay and paper routes as a kid and thought that's what I was supposed to do. Work. But it's not. We are suppose to be out in the forest hunting and gathering... playing music, being creative... living free.... man I sound like a GD hippee. LOL. Long story,,, longer. Find something part time if you wanna... and if not... Sit back and enjoy life, learn new shit every week, cooking, play an instrument, photography,(astrophotograpy if you have way too much money you need to burn through) collect things, fish, hunt all that shit. If you've ever wanted to do something but never had the time... now is that time. Most important is enjoying life. Good Luck my friend.

And to that 40+ hour work week...

88, that's a very sad intro to some very sound advice. I've felt some of that pain, too. Wish I hadn't. God Bless...

[skolvike]

I worked until my 69th birthday because I loved my job. My boss told me I could work for as long as I wanted because I was the only person qualified to do what I was doing, but I figured I wanted some time for my wife and I to enjoy our freedom while we had the health to do it. I never looked back, and even rejected a very lucrative offer from my old boss to return as an engineering consultant. I am now a VERY former EE and very happy to be one. 'Lektroniks? FPGAs? Capacitory thingies? What's that stuff? Are they edible? But hey, I just returned from two weeks straight fishing in far Northern Minnesota, and I understand THAT!

You've spent over half a century doing what other people tell you to do. Can't you see that for the first time in your life you're finally free to do what YOU want to do? Embrace retirement, and realize there are many people who would love to change places with you but will never be able to retire. Travel if you want, or don't. Fish and hunt if you want, or don't. Visit friends, or don't. Everything is now YOUR decision, not some boss's. Be proud of your past accomplishments, but don't let their memory obscure your future of freedom and reaping the rewards of a life well spent. 

[kramerhammer]

Jealous.

My main retirement plan in 7 years, if I make it, is to sit on my porch every morning. Hot cup of coffee in hand and the local newpaper in hard copy or electronic. Sitting and watching all the suckers head off to work in the mines. Just like I did for so many years.

This is your time now. Enjoy it all you can, however you can.

[skol61]

Sorry you don't qualify as a burden... unless you go get a minimum wage job for 8 hours a week, maybe retail or barbershop. Then when you get laid off cause they close down again, you can collect $600 a week forever.... (you buy the beer at the next reunion)-

Just wanted to try to get you to laugh.

Seriously, though I haven't experienced it, I can empathize. For some who have always worked, it's a shock to the system. A dream we look forward to for years, but when it happens... I can imagine it can feel like a loss in many ways, including identity. Keep in mind, work is work- a boss or paycheck is the only difference. You can still "work" if you want to. Sometimes history and experiences are priceless to others. You're a good writer, bet many kids today don't have a clue what a paperboy is or what they did. I'ld love to hear a story. Best and worst customer, or day?

[kjun09]

Congrats!!! Enjoy it. Retirement is pretty much a pipe dream for me living in Hawaii. Way too expensive and short of moving back to the mainland I would work until I can’t physically work anymore and will never really stop lol. Fortunately I make decent money and the work isn’t hard. Plus I am retired military so we do okay. We’ve adopted the mindset to fully enjoy life while we can. Should we reach a point where I have to stop working, the we can move back to the mainland to my hometown or similar where costs are very low and my military retirement and investments should get us by.

[z64rm4j7b]

  At least you aren't not working for $600 more than your unemployment provides.

 As a farmer I see myself continuing well into my 70s, as long as I am blessed with good health. The physical labor isn't as demanding as it was when I grew up, but the complexity of the decisions that need to be made make it at least as stressful.

[Purp1eOne]

Congrats WisconsinVike enjoy your free time that you earned over your long career. Did you ever get another dog?

[WisconsinVike]

Aug 2, 2020 7:51:39 GMT -6 Purp1eOne said:

Congrats WisconsinVike enjoy your free time that you earned over your long career. Did you ever get another dog?

No dog yet, but now that I'm retired that's going to be my #1 priority, just have to decide if I want to stay in Rottweiler mode or try something different once.

What ever breed it turns out to be it will be a "substantial" dog.

I miss going on walks without my "muscle"