Thinking about retirement?

[Chrispy]

Good luck, I have over 20 years of retirement in the books now, altho after first 10 years did go back to work for a bit, but that didn't last long, it was more frustrating than lucrative .

 

[Ken1951]

The last six years I worked was in a fantastic middle school with a great administration and great teachers. And my students - they were incredible. I was a gifted resource teacher working mostly with students ID'd in math. I really missed them when I retired. Those years were the highlight of my teaching career. Don't miss a lot of other associated garbage from outside the school, but lordy do I miss the kids.

 

[Astoneroad]

General question for retirement as expat was made up by @Astoneroad , in this case about Portugal, but there may be several targets to consider?

They say social contacts are a key ingredient to super aging/aging well. Perhaps, but not for everyone and certainly not for me. I've been a recluse for more than 20 years, going months without speaking to anyone and find the lack of drama and nonsense to give me peace. A dog, or two, is essential for me. Living without humans in our time is easy... living without a dog, is joyless. I never cease to consider myself extremely lucky to be able to lead such a life, after one of exploring and asking questions.

Reclusion is not for everyone and there is certainly a learning curve. (Salinger, Pynchon, Watterson, Proust, etc.) However, I'd rather live for a few years less, than have more years filled with the noise and distortion that humans bring to the table. Humans are tube amps, adding heat, distortion and a false sense of bias to the daily music... when there are simple and satisfying choices on a path only shoulder width.

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone" - Pascal

 

[respice finem]

They say social contacts are a key ingredient to super aging/aging well. Perhaps, but not for everyone and certainly not for me. I've been a recluse for more than 20 years, going months without speaking to anyone and find the lack of drama and nonsense to give me peace. A dog, or two, is essential for me. Living without humans in our time is easy... living without a dog, is joyless. I never cease to consider myself extremely lucky to be able to lead such a life, after one of exploring and asking questions.

Reclusion is not for everyone and there is certainly a learning curve. (Salinger, Pynchon, Watterson, Proust, etc.) However, I'd rather live for a few years less, than have more years filled with the noise and distortion that humans bring to the table. Humans are tube amps, adding heat, distortion and a false sense of bias to the daily music... when there are simple and satisfying choices on a path only shoulder width.

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone" - Pascal

This probably applies to many, but only a few realize. When I look at my relatives, it's safe to say 10% are introverts (me included). Which doesn't mean unsocial, but my desire to physically interact with many people is limited and has always been. The current "Zeitgeist" allows for worldwide interaction, without any real personal acquaintance. Which has its pros and cons, like everything. It is no longer of existential importance to be married, to be in a religious or other community, etc.

A dog, well, I've had one for almost twenty years, and I still miss him 26 years after his death.
But in my current situation (reservist officer) I am not getting another until I'm too old to be mobilized.

 

[AdrianusG]

That’s exactly what I say every morning. Best job ever is not having one if u can swing it.

Well,

I'm 60, turning 61 next year, and so, currently in Holland I've got another 6-7 years to go in this what i call the "Rat Race". although i'm in talks with my boss to go part-time, meaning working one day/week less, starting Jan. 2026, I have no idea how this is arranged in other countries, but luckily here the employer can't really refuse this kinda request, especially at my age, and i'm really looking forward to it, finally getting a "better" balance between work and free time, i've worked more than long enough full time.

 

[Soniclife]

They say social contacts are a key ingredient to super aging/aging well. Perhaps, but not for everyone and certainly not for me. I've been a recluse for more than 20 years, going months without speaking to anyone and find the lack of drama and nonsense to give me peace. A dog, or two, is essential for me. Living without humans in our time is easy... living without a dog, is joyless. I never cease to consider myself extremely lucky to be able to lead such a life, after one of exploring and asking questions.

Reclusion is not for everyone and there is certainly a learning curve. (Salinger, Pynchon, Watterson, Proust, etc.) However, I'd rather live for a few years less, than have more years filled with the noise and distortion that humans bring to the table. Humans are tube amps, adding heat, distortion and a false sense of bias to the daily music... when there are simple and satisfying choices on a path only shoulder width.

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone" - Pascal

It's taken me a long time to learn that I need a mix, I need alone time, and I need to be social, there is real value in both for me, getting the balance right is a work in progress.

 

[Holmz]

Off topic, I am in Paris right now. I am loving the history of Paris. But the lack of widespread air conditioning, is killing me. I am suffering from heat exhaustion, headache, fatigue, light headedness and all that.

How do you French do it with no air conditioning!

Lots of immigrants from warm climates, so they are largely used to it.

 

[Astoneroad]

It's taken me a long time to learn that I need a mix, I need alone time, and I need to be social, there is real value in both for me, getting the balance right is a work in progress.

Most never grasp this, imo. Conflicts and influences of other people's intersecting paths often consumes the time necessary to recognize, let alone choose the most rewarding path as an individual and not act as part of some larger "organism".

It's akin to downsizing from a house with many unused rooms... to a small home, with a roof, a snoring dog, endless books to read... and finite songs to sing... in the remarkably finite time that we have to sing them.

"I once was a house... with so many rooms... I could not count them all."

 

[Soniclife]

Most never grasp this, imo. Conflicts and influences of other people's intersecting paths often consumes the time necessary to recognize, let alone choose the most rewarding path as an individual and not act as part of some larger "organism".

It's akin to downsizing from a house with many unused rooms... to a small home, with a roof, a fire, a snoring dog, endless books to read... and finite songs to sing... in the remarkably finite time that we have to sing them.

"I once was a house... with so many rooms... I could not count them all."

I've come at this from the other direction, thinking I didn't want much socialising, and craving more alone time. When lockdown largely gave me what I thought I wanted, I realised I was wrong.

 

[respice finem]

One man's meat is another man's poison.

 

[Astoneroad]

I've come at this from the other direction, thinking I didn't want much socialising, and craving more alone time. When lockdown largely gave me what I thought I wanted, I realised I was wrong.

Yes, that's the mirror image of my response. Lockdown reinforced my choice of voluntary reclusion. My daily recurring affirmation was then, and is now, just how lucky I am... not how reclusive that I am. I think having explored prior to diverging into the woods, quells any craving for "what's out there" at this stage. Thoreau was a dilettante when it comes the path less taken.... lol. If you want a true tale of reclusivity, read "The Stranger in the Woods" by Micheal Finkel.

I've lived in the same suburban home, surrounded by neighbors, whom I've never spoken to, for 10 years. I think that word must have gotten around and no one ever attempts to speak to me, but wave from a distant when we happen to be taking out the trash at the same time... lol.

 

[Astoneroad]

One man's meat is another man's poison.

Perhaps a poor choice of idiom, since one man's meat... is every man's poison, if science is an arbiter, rather than habit.

"Red and processed meats contain compounds that can trigger inflammation. Studies suggest that red meat, particularly in processed forms, is associated with increased levels of inflammation in the body. This inflammation can contribute to the development of various diseases."

Perhaps... "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday... for a hamburger today..." is more reflective of delayed cost for immediate gratification... lol.

 

[Gibsonian]

Thinking about retirement? Yes everyday. About 21 months left on my working clock God willing. Looking forward to say the least. I wish to wake up and do what I wish, good or bad for the relatively small time I have left (compared to what I've spent) Good thread here, keep it coming. What I don't know is if I can make it here in America. It's taken quite a turn and not sure what it will look like in two years from now.

 

[respice finem]

The "meat" saying is from the era when not so much choice was available

 

[respice finem]

Thinking about retirement? Yes everyday. About 21 months left on my working clock God willing. Looking forward to say the least. I wish to wake up and do what I wish, good or bad for the relatively small time I have left (compared to what I've spent) Good thread here, keep it coming. What I don't know is if I can make it here in America. It's taken quite a turn and not sure what it will look like in two years from now.

Nothing is ever certain, except death and taxes
(another old saying LOL)

 

[Astoneroad]

Thinking about retirement? Yes everyday. About 21 months left on my working clock God willing. Looking forward to say the least. I wish to wake up and do what I wish, good or bad for the relatively small time I have left (compared to what I've spent) Good thread here, keep it coming. What I don't know is if I can make it here in America. It's taken quite a turn and not sure what it will look like in two years from now.

I've decided to shelter in place and disengage further from the steepening entropy curve beyond my walls. As long as I'm not dragged from my home for such heresy by Henry VIII and his minions... I'll try not to read any news and embrace my social ignorance as a palliative against an ignorant society.

 

[Mart68]

I've decided to shelter in place and disengage further from the steepening entropy curve beyond my walls. As long as I'm not dragged from my home for such heresy by Henry VIII and his minions... I'll try not to read any news and embrace my social ignorance as a palliative against an ignorant society.

I've not watched the news in years. Like watching the same episode of a rubbish TV show over and over again.

 

[Astoneroad]

The "meat" saying is from the era when not so much choice was available

... all the more reason not to use it when it's not true and doesn't bolster your response. Outdated, never accurate to begin with, fallacies seem very out of place in a science based forum. I'd suggest avoiding most others like, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar". Science is against it, since flies are attracted to acetic acid.

"The real problem in speech is not precise language. The problem is clear language." - Richard Feynman

 

[Colonel7]

Starting to think about when it’ll happen. Self-employed so natural progression over next 5-7 years will be reduction in clients to part-time and then eventual realization that my services are no longer valued. Actively on home buying market to downsize to a house 1/3 of the present size and 1/2 the cost, and in a walkable neighborhood. Upkeep has been a physical and sometimes mental drain on a 1 acre property. I’d like to go from a 3 chainsaw property to a zero and am excited to move on.

 

[Leporello]

Humans are tube amps, adding heat, distortion and a false sense of bias to the daily music..

Great