General Discussion

Trueblue Texan

(2,451 posts)

98. There are so many things I already know I want to do when I retire, AND...

Sat Oct 22, 2022, 05:29 PM

Oct 2022

...because so many of those things came upon me by complete surprise, I know there are many more things out there I could explore and find joy in doing. A couple years ago I went to one of those events where everybody paints and drinks wine. I never cared two hoots about any kind of art. But after taking that one class, I decided I wanted more of that painting stuff. I started dabbling in painting but decided I couldn't paint very well if I didn't understand how to make things look right on a 2-dimensional surface. I decided I needed to learn to draw.

Learning to draw is so satisfying! I have to admit I've not painted much at all since starting drawing. I have so much to learn and I know I'll have more time to pursue this and other things I will discover when I'm retired. You never know what you might find out about yourself by dipping your toe in something new. No one could have convinced me I'd get into drawing--what a tedious bore!--that's what I used to think. Life is full of surprises. And now you've got time to surprise yourself! Good Luck!!

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

147 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I retired a little over two years ago and I can honestly tell you this. [View all] fightforfreedom Oct 2022 OP

I retired a little over 3 years ago. I'm loving it. tblue37 Oct 2022 #1

I am with you. Going on nine years retired now Walleye Oct 2022 #2

The secret they don't tell you Sucha NastyWoman Oct 2022 #16

Yep. You don't realize what it costs physically, financially and mentally just to hold down a job Walleye Oct 2022 #47

I was just going to post something similar. llmart Oct 2022 #108

We retired in 2019. phylny Oct 2022 #3

Awesome! Akacia Oct 2022 #4

5 months to go before I retire Random Boomer Oct 2022 #73

I promised myself that when I retired I would lunatica Oct 2022 #116

I am retired 10 years. But not tired. kairos12 Oct 2022 #5

Well into my 20th year of retirement. multigraincracker Oct 2022 #6

Same situation here Basic LA Oct 2022 #35

I'm the opposite Sympthsical Oct 2022 #7

I'm somewhat similar to you, and I took a different approach. yardwork Oct 2022 #21

My partner's father does similar Sympthsical Oct 2022 #141

Lol! Looks like there's a renovation project in your future! yardwork Oct 2022 #142

What kind of NP job do you have... 3catwoman3 Oct 2022 #52

No no, I'm currently in school to be an NP Sympthsical Oct 2022 #58

Best of luck in your remaining studies... 3catwoman3 Oct 2022 #63

I'm not quite at that stage yet Sympthsical Oct 2022 #144

So, this may be rather too early, but please allow me... 3catwoman3 Oct 2022 #145

My husband, of blessed memory, and I Mme. Defarge Oct 2022 #8

Smartest thing I ever did was retire 3 years earlier than I'd planned Siwsan Oct 2022 #9

I only miss a few people XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #79

I retired earlier this year. SlimJimmy Oct 2022 #119

Children and retired people -- the happiest groups, and Hortensis Oct 2022 #10

After 40 years in construction I retired. panader0 Oct 2022 #11

I love to hear this, we have seven years and we shall join you in peace. Bluethroughu Oct 2022 #12

Four years for me. I too love it. Chainfire Oct 2022 #13

mostly agree. but .... stopdiggin Oct 2022 #14

Keep in mind that pensions were NEVER universal. PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 2022 #127

you're undoubtedly right stopdiggin Oct 2022 #130

Mostly because of the decline of unions SouthernDem4ever Oct 2022 #138

2 years retired and Love it, no pressure Beachnutt Oct 2022 #15

I may retire in May 2023. QED Oct 2022 #17

Pet Insurance can be worth it. We pay 500/ yr. but it paid out well over a thousand. Helps? Evolve Dammit Oct 2022 #103

I've thought of that... QED Oct 2022 #105

I know it's no fun and an expense. I didn't even know it was a "thing." I wanna go back (in time)! Evolve Dammit Oct 2022 #106

To rewired (aka retired) me, every day... keets Oct 2022 #18

Well done! Fritz Walter Oct 2022 #19

Yep, since retiring ... relayerbob Oct 2022 #20

My favorite thing these days greymattermom Oct 2022 #22

We both retired at 63 Bayard Oct 2022 #23

Retirement is great, but plan it! Loge23 Oct 2022 #24

Yes you do have to do some planning, you have to add things up. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #27

Great point! (eom) Loge23 Oct 2022 #39

Retired 18 years ago. Never been happier in my life. Just taking it slow and keeping it simple. Midnight Writer Oct 2022 #25

Me too, I like hanging out at home now that I've gotten older. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #30

I've discovered that, too! calimary Oct 2022 #135

I retired two years ago BonnieJW Oct 2022 #26

A little off topic, but I think your sentiments are relevant to the reason some jobs remain unfilled Raven123 Oct 2022 #28

I believe you are correct. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #32

I also retired about 1 1/2 years ago and can echo much of your thoughts Joe Nation Oct 2022 #29

Think outside the box maybe catchnrelease Oct 2022 #65

There are so many things I already know I want to do when I retire, AND... Trueblue Texan Oct 2022 #98

fightforfreedom.... Upthevibe Oct 2022 #31

There is nothing wrong with continuing to work if you have a job you love. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #36

I left the corporate world in 2012, at the age of 56, after 25 NewHendoLib Oct 2022 #33

Wow, you hit life's jackpot. SunSeeker Oct 2022 #55

thanks for your comment, and I am sorry to hear of spouse challenges. NewHendoLib Oct 2022 #123

Hi SunSeeker - I have a joke about this airplaneman Oct 2022 #133

I so need a dog. nt SunSeeker Oct 2022 #137

I join the ranks February 20th. Ferryboat Oct 2022 #34

That's what I did, I was over thinking it. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #38

Being debt free is the key, Ferryboat Oct 2022 #49

I "retired" 14 years ago in October 2008 when I was laid off along with 30% of the company OMGWTF Oct 2022 #37

Talking about asshole bosses. Here's a story for you. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #40

Where did you stay in the desert? Sounds like a great experience! JudyM Oct 2022 #134

I second that. Retirement is almost as fun as childhood. Go forth and enjoy! Joinfortmill Oct 2022 #41

I am loving mine too. NH Ethylene Oct 2022 #42

Jealous. I have 3 years left. Saoirse9 Oct 2022 #43

Like my dad said when he retired... Javaman Oct 2022 #44

I actually LOVE Mondays! Alien Life Form Oct 2022 #70

Me too! Nt XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #76

I love Mondays because... Trueblue Texan Oct 2022 #99

Mr Lake was a workaholic. LakeArenal Oct 2022 #45

Retired for almost 8 years wryter2000 Oct 2022 #46

The American Dream is to stop from being a Wage Slave. Emile Oct 2022 #48

Congrats! Shermann Oct 2022 #50

It did not affect me. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #68

I retired March 31, 2021, after being a pediatric nurse... 3catwoman3 Oct 2022 #51

I love being retired too Tree Lady Oct 2022 #53

Just over a year Erik the UNred Oct 2022 #54

Freedom is being financially secure. The Jungle 1 Oct 2022 #56

Retirement is probably much easier to adapt to if you already own a home. SidneyR Oct 2022 #57

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2022 #59

Not buying it. SheltieLover Oct 2022 #67

Are you on the wrong thread? mcar Oct 2022 #69

I noticed the change in our work place culture during the 80s. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #74

... BumRushDaShow Oct 2022 #78

You called it - raygun started this mess raising2moredems Oct 2022 #107

Not just cost of healthcare. 401K instead of pension. halfulglas Oct 2022 #109

Pensions were NEVER as universal as people think. PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 2022 #129

Yesterday afternoon, when I turned on MSNBC at 5:30 pm EDT BumRushDaShow Oct 2022 #75

Excellent! 👏👏👏👏 SheltieLover Oct 2022 #80

I was ecstatic! BumRushDaShow Oct 2022 #81

No tv service here, so I'm glad to hear this! SheltieLover Oct 2022 #82

They also run on the local CBS news radio affiliate here BumRushDaShow Oct 2022 #83

Are ads addressing qpukes intention to cut Soc Security & Medicare? SheltieLover Oct 2022 #84

I think think there may be a radio version BumRushDaShow Oct 2022 #114

Awesome! SheltieLover Oct 2022 #115

My story Alien Life Form Oct 2022 #60

It's great you have something to do G2theD Oct 2022 #90

Four Years For Me ProfessorGAC Oct 2022 #61

Retired 3 years now. VoteBlue2175 Oct 2022 #62

I look forward to the freedom of retirement! Glad you found it! nt Rabrrrrrr Oct 2022 #64

I retired over a year ago. I love it! love_katz Oct 2022 #66

congratulations! I semi retired five years ago... mike_c Oct 2022 #71

Disabled at 56 XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #72

I retired a little TrogL Oct 2022 #77

Retired from the federal government 2 weeks after 45 was inaugurated BumRushDaShow Oct 2022 #85

Adapting to living on $1200 a month was a challenge Kaleva Oct 2022 #86

I relate completely G2theD Oct 2022 #87

I love retirement malaise Oct 2022 #88

I waste 15 hours a week commuting noiretextatique Oct 2022 #89

I'll have to work till I drop dead A HERETIC I AM Oct 2022 #91

Mail carriers and Postal workers are heroes too! Trueblue Texan Oct 2022 #100

I really do appreciate the sentiment... A HERETIC I AM Oct 2022 #101

Well I hope the hell... Trueblue Texan Oct 2022 #112

He does A HERETIC I AM Oct 2022 #125

I retired in 1995 at the age of 52 thanks to having seen a psychiatrist once in 1966 in the army. Dysfunctional Oct 2022 #92

Everyone should try to find their own path. DFW Oct 2022 #93

This message was self-deleted by its author catbyte Oct 2022 #94

Thank you so much for posting this... Trueblue Texan Oct 2022 #95

My friend was getting ready to retire. keithbvadu2 Oct 2022 #96

I have 6 more years of hell. liberal N proud Oct 2022 #97

Good post. mac56 Oct 2022 #102

I retired too early -- only 49 years old. Scottie Mom Oct 2022 #104

These are great stories Sucha NastyWoman Oct 2022 #121

I say the same thing to myself daily, no joke! BigmanPigman Oct 2022 #110

My job was killing me XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #113

What did you teach? Sucha NastyWoman Oct 2022 #122

Mostly 1st grade. BigmanPigman Oct 2022 #124

1 more year - I hope.... Locrian Oct 2022 #111

I'm retired almost five years now and I love it! lunatica Oct 2022 #117

I was targeted to be part of a "clear the dead wood" campaign by a bad boss. It was my last year CTyankee Oct 2022 #118

I was forced to retire when my company collapsed GenThePerservering Oct 2022 #120

4.5 years off the clock Pinback Oct 2022 #126

I was pretty much forced to retire by my health Diraven Oct 2022 #128

I have never had a job that was better than not working. PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 2022 #131

The day I retired was the happiest day of my life, GoodRaisin Oct 2022 #132

I love your explanation of poof XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #146

I dread the thought of retirement GusBob Oct 2022 #136

looking forward to retirement. Chipper Chat Oct 2022 #139

I expect that I'll have to work until at least the morning of my funeral Orrex Oct 2022 #140

I was able to retire early due to my Bank of the Lumpy Mattress Roisin Ni Fiachra Oct 2022 #143

I retired from nursing in 2012 Jilly_in_VA Oct 2022 #147