Everyone- yes practically everyone starts fearing what will happen, how life will be once retirement is around the corner. Some try to plan retired life and consider re-employment possibilities, some keep postponing or ignore thinking of alternatives saying,” will cross the bridge when I come to it”.
My experience has been quite surprising. I am enjoying retirement, rather enjoying no work, no tight schedules, no official travelling, and most of all no hectic mornings. When it rains heavily in the morning at the office going time, I enjoy thinking thank god I can enjoy this rain from my balcony. When in service, such untimely rain used to create anxiety about driving and reaching the office on time.
Visiting relatives out of the station is no longer time-bound and I do not need to tell the host “I have to join next Monday”. The pleasures of extended stay have their charm, especially, if you are in the midst of your children and grandchildren.
The choice of breakfast and lunch becomes quite wider compared to the quick bite before leaving for the office or having lunch in the tiffin box. This is a seemingly small advantage of retired life but for me, it was a big advantage, including having a say in the daily menu.
Those staying with children and grandchildren have their company for a longer duration which is dearly missed when in service. Bonds certainly get stronger after retirement. One can be more particular about their health after retirement as official partying, travelling, and work stress are no more.
I find a lot of benefits in retirement and this is how one should view his/her retirement and stay positive.
