I retired early by choice after leading a stressful corporate life of 25 years. My employer has a separation package in place for those who want to retire based on some criteria. When I became eligible for the package, I volunteered to retire.
I went through different phases after retirement. The first phase immediately following my last working day was a feeling of being free at last--from waking up early in the morning, hurriedly taking a shower, dressing up and grabbing a bite, catching my commute, dozing off or planning my work for the day while commuting, beating never-ending deadlines, attending meetings, being nice to not so nice people, asking for feedbacks or comments that never come without following up, doing extra hours on many weekdays and weekends, and all the hassles of corporate work.
The second phase was the feeling that I now have the time to catch up with things in my life that I seem to not have the time to do. Yet, I still miss the beautiful workplace, nice workmates and friends, lunches together, office camaraderie, Christmas parties, summer outings, appreciation of my work by colleagues, respect I have earned, and other non-financial rewards.
After organizing the cobwebs in my life (at least some of it), I went into doing the things that I wanted to do with more frequency: browse in the malls unhurriedly, dine out, watch movies, go to trade exhibits or fairs, and what have you. I also took care of my mother till her demise, visited abroad, met some people, rearranged the garden and the backyard, learned surfing the internet, and a host of other things a retiree might do.
Although I was hoping to do the tasks I could not do when I retired, I found that I still could not do everything--not because of lack of time or laziness, but because there is no urgency now to do them. That being said, my tasks can wait till I get the inspiration; meanwhile, I shall blog for no boss is looking over my shoulder.
Quote for today:
"When a man retires and time is no longer a matter of urgent importance, his colleagues generally present him with a watch."
- R.C. Sherriff, writer
I went through different phases after retirement. The first phase immediately following my last working day was a feeling of being free at last--from waking up early in the morning, hurriedly taking a shower, dressing up and grabbing a bite, catching my commute, dozing off or planning my work for the day while commuting, beating never-ending deadlines, attending meetings, being nice to not so nice people, asking for feedbacks or comments that never come without following up, doing extra hours on many weekdays and weekends, and all the hassles of corporate work.
The second phase was the feeling that I now have the time to catch up with things in my life that I seem to not have the time to do. Yet, I still miss the beautiful workplace, nice workmates and friends, lunches together, office camaraderie, Christmas parties, summer outings, appreciation of my work by colleagues, respect I have earned, and other non-financial rewards.
After organizing the cobwebs in my life (at least some of it), I went into doing the things that I wanted to do with more frequency: browse in the malls unhurriedly, dine out, watch movies, go to trade exhibits or fairs, and what have you. I also took care of my mother till her demise, visited abroad, met some people, rearranged the garden and the backyard, learned surfing the internet, and a host of other things a retiree might do.
Although I was hoping to do the tasks I could not do when I retired, I found that I still could not do everything--not because of lack of time or laziness, but because there is no urgency now to do them. That being said, my tasks can wait till I get the inspiration; meanwhile, I shall blog for no boss is looking over my shoulder.
Quote for today:
"When a man retires and time is no longer a matter of urgent importance, his colleagues generally present him with a watch."
- R.C. Sherriff, writer
