Hey Paul: Just saw this. I retired in 2012 at age 65. I stopped because I was finding it harder and harder to travel on assignments. The ENQUIRER made me a senior editor and took me off the road but I still wanted to stop. The day I left the ENQUIRER office, I went home, drank a bottle of wine. and passed out. Over the next two years, I was called in on vacation relief to write stories for special issues AMI put out. I also lost 67 pounds, finally getting back in shape. My day is simple. Some exercise, some TV time with the wife, some puffs on medical marijuana to fight off back pain, and some occasional writing for Substack, which keeps the brain active. When I was still a young man, an elderly man I bumped into at a doctor's office told me what he thought was the worst thing about growing old. He said he felt fragile, as if the slightest trip or stumble could sideline you for quite a while. His advice: "Slow down." I follow that rule. It works. The health issues started hitting me at 72, just like Bob Kapstatter predicted. Things do start to break. But medical science keeps us alive a lot longer. I also downsized, selling the big two-story home in West Palm for smaller one-story digs in a gated community. That was a good move. Remember, if you haven't already done it, to update or make a will. It does nothing for you but makes life easier for your heirs. As for you, keep writing. That's a talent you have and it's easy to do, sitting at your comfortable desk, in your underwear.
Hi Paul... Yes, I enjoy being retired, esp. since I retired just before the pandemic, and it would have been an adjustment to work remotely ALL the time. I could/did work remotely at times, but I preferred going to my office in SF or SF - East Bay. I liked the p2p interactions. I can't imagine working now, because frankly, I like the freedom/flexibility to do whatever I want... or not to do anything if that's what I want on a given day. I'm contented.
— What would you have done differently?
When I retired, at about 68.5 yrs, it was 1.5 yrs earlier than "planned", but the timing was best for me, because otherwise I would have been tied to some lengthy executive search projects (that can sometimes extend out 8 mos. or more). I'm now 71, and it seemed like the right thing to do. It was becoming stressful; my physical health wasn't good -- not bad, just not good. Financially, I didn't think I was in a good place, but in fact, I was. This may sound funny for somebody w/ net worth in 7 figures, no mortgage, and no debts, but maybe I just worry too much. Plus, all of my siblings were already retired, and they have net worths in multi-7 figures, so I was always looking at them. I would have made the same decision today as I did 3 yrs ago. What influenced me a lot was that the year before, my sister's husband (69 yrs at the time) went to bed and never woke up. He was in good health, and they were both retired and traveling a lot, enjoying life. It reminds me of what happened to my father who passed away at age 59. He was still working when he died of cancer, but he voiced regret that he had not traveled more w/ my mom -- who later became quite a traveler (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia/NZ, South Seas, etc.). I remember my brother-in-law's words maybe a year or two earlier: "Life is a crap shoot, you don't know when you're going to kick the bucket." Sure enough, prescient sentiments. As well, in the year prior, my good friend John, who taught at Stanford for decades, had turned in his keys to his office at Stanford, then promptly had a stroke soon thereafter at age 71. He's still dealing w/ some medical issues stemming from that event. He had to learn to talk and even drink water again. He's better now, but these two events left me pondering my life more... and realizing that "working for the Man" wasn't the best option for me. I'm thankful I have my health to be able to simply walk/hike, since mobility is helpful if I'm to travel even more.
— What do you do all day?
Today, I watch more movies; read more (from medical journals to modern fiction); exercise/walk more; ride my bike more; and take little trips whenever I want. It'd be nice if my best friend/ significant other wasn't working, but she does, so that requires more planning. My daughter lives in Chicago, and I'm glad for the opportunities to go visit whenever I want (usually in summer/fall when the weather is decent). I'm actually thinking of a road trip soon down to SoCal and San Diego, visiting friends along the way. I think about driving to the Sierra foothills in search of the perfect apple cider donut. Oh, and I've done a lot more cooking/baking, and some people think I do a pretty good job of it. Now that COVID is less of an issue, I even think about coming out to NYC, since it's been years since I've seen you and Susan. There are too many places on my list to visit... South of France, Italy, Istanbul/Turkey, Japan, etc.
I don't have life figured out, but I don't know that I need to. I'm going to die some day, but I don't have much to say about when, where, how... I have given a lot, and I still do, but I'm reconciled that I'm not going to save the world, and that'll be up to the younger generations to prioritize. My sole daughter is happy, healthy (after some earlier health issues), married and a homeowner in Chicago. Her father-in-law told me on my last visit there that he's never seen his son/my daughter so happy. That's all I can ask. She likes her job in the publishing industry, and she won't have to worry about money in the future, so I have nothing to be concerned about there. In a way, my life is done. It's been good, and everything else is going to be like gravy.
Hey, Paul, I don’t think of myself as retired, but I’m working less and interested in your question about how I spend my time because I asked a couple of friends the same question a few years ago. They said they take college-level courses, work out and find that there’s always something on the daily agenda. And they live in Florida, so I think there is probably more year-round outdoor activity, too.
As for me, after leaving my full-time PR job, I have been able to play more..travel south for months at a time without much planning, ride miles on my bike when the weather is good, spend time with friends I used to rarely see, babysit a new granddaughter (that’s the big change! ), pickle ball, yoga, my blog, and most recently, Pure Barre, to which I am now addicted, so I go a lot. I love it. How life changes from going to the bars to barre!
What I miss least is the commute to work, which was hours every day on the 684 speedway! …..and then driving to clients during the day. I loved the PR work, but It didn’t leave much free time.
Why do you think about retirement? If it’s just the number.. well… for me, I don’t think that would be enough of a reason.. “just sayin’, “ since you asked! Good luck!
I retired early at 55. Have never looked back. I am frenetic by nature so finding crusades and causes to fill my time is not at issue at all. It’s amazing how quickly we adapt to a “new norm”. Take the trip. Smell the flowers. Enjoy the ride while your mind and your body give you the means to do so. Best of luck, Paul. I have been following you for many many years!
Retirement is a transition— think of it like you would moving to a new job. There’s an adjustment period, no doubt, and a new routine. But you adapt, get used to it ( perhaps slowly) and then reach the point of “enjoyment”— when you say ‘I’m so glad I retired’! And daily, you do things old and new— explore new places, new people, new destinations— more time to travel, of course. Some days are more exciting than others but you reach a balance— and perhaps find new hobbies or interests along the way.
As to your question, retirement comes when it comes, and when you are ready. I quit my last job in 2018, when I was 71. For a while thereafter, I thought of myself as unemployed and checked the job listings looking for my next placement. Then one morning, I awoke, and it felt as though I had crossed an invisible line in the ocean: I wasn't unemployed, I was retired.
I love being retired. Of course, as you may remember, my commitment to hard work was somewhat tenuous at best. Now, there's the joy of being able to take off for as long as I want, with no one expecting me back at my desk. We're in the middle of a three-month stay in Mexico. This summer, we'll go somewhere else, probably in Europe. It's like climbing the Berlin Wall and escaping to the West.
Wow! 55 that’s young. I’m glad you adapted to it so well. Given the answers so far it seems everyone has. Thanks for following me. One thing—I’d have a lot more time to write what I want in the future.
Hey Paul: Just saw this. I retired in 2012 at age 65. I stopped because I was finding it harder and harder to travel on assignments. The ENQUIRER made me a senior editor and took me off the road but I still wanted to stop. The day I left the ENQUIRER office, I went home, drank a bottle of wine. and passed out. Over the next two years, I was called in on vacation relief to write stories for special issues AMI put out. I also lost 67 pounds, finally getting back in shape. My day is simple. Some exercise, some TV time with the wife, some puffs on medical marijuana to fight off back pain, and some occasional writing for Substack, which keeps the brain active. When I was still a young man, an elderly man I bumped into at a doctor's office told me what he thought was the worst thing about growing old. He said he felt fragile, as if the slightest trip or stumble could sideline you for quite a while. His advice: "Slow down." I follow that rule. It works. The health issues started hitting me at 72, just like Bob Kapstatter predicted. Things do start to break. But medical science keeps us alive a lot longer. I also downsized, selling the big two-story home in West Palm for smaller one-story digs in a gated community. That was a good move. Remember, if you haven't already done it, to update or make a will. It does nothing for you but makes life easier for your heirs. As for you, keep writing. That's a talent you have and it's easy to do, sitting at your comfortable desk, in your underwear.
— Do you enjoy being retired?
Hi Paul... Yes, I enjoy being retired, esp. since I retired just before the pandemic, and it would have been an adjustment to work remotely ALL the time. I could/did work remotely at times, but I preferred going to my office in SF or SF - East Bay. I liked the p2p interactions. I can't imagine working now, because frankly, I like the freedom/flexibility to do whatever I want... or not to do anything if that's what I want on a given day. I'm contented.
— What would you have done differently?
When I retired, at about 68.5 yrs, it was 1.5 yrs earlier than "planned", but the timing was best for me, because otherwise I would have been tied to some lengthy executive search projects (that can sometimes extend out 8 mos. or more). I'm now 71, and it seemed like the right thing to do. It was becoming stressful; my physical health wasn't good -- not bad, just not good. Financially, I didn't think I was in a good place, but in fact, I was. This may sound funny for somebody w/ net worth in 7 figures, no mortgage, and no debts, but maybe I just worry too much. Plus, all of my siblings were already retired, and they have net worths in multi-7 figures, so I was always looking at them. I would have made the same decision today as I did 3 yrs ago. What influenced me a lot was that the year before, my sister's husband (69 yrs at the time) went to bed and never woke up. He was in good health, and they were both retired and traveling a lot, enjoying life. It reminds me of what happened to my father who passed away at age 59. He was still working when he died of cancer, but he voiced regret that he had not traveled more w/ my mom -- who later became quite a traveler (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia/NZ, South Seas, etc.). I remember my brother-in-law's words maybe a year or two earlier: "Life is a crap shoot, you don't know when you're going to kick the bucket." Sure enough, prescient sentiments. As well, in the year prior, my good friend John, who taught at Stanford for decades, had turned in his keys to his office at Stanford, then promptly had a stroke soon thereafter at age 71. He's still dealing w/ some medical issues stemming from that event. He had to learn to talk and even drink water again. He's better now, but these two events left me pondering my life more... and realizing that "working for the Man" wasn't the best option for me. I'm thankful I have my health to be able to simply walk/hike, since mobility is helpful if I'm to travel even more.
— What do you do all day?
Today, I watch more movies; read more (from medical journals to modern fiction); exercise/walk more; ride my bike more; and take little trips whenever I want. It'd be nice if my best friend/ significant other wasn't working, but she does, so that requires more planning. My daughter lives in Chicago, and I'm glad for the opportunities to go visit whenever I want (usually in summer/fall when the weather is decent). I'm actually thinking of a road trip soon down to SoCal and San Diego, visiting friends along the way. I think about driving to the Sierra foothills in search of the perfect apple cider donut. Oh, and I've done a lot more cooking/baking, and some people think I do a pretty good job of it. Now that COVID is less of an issue, I even think about coming out to NYC, since it's been years since I've seen you and Susan. There are too many places on my list to visit... South of France, Italy, Istanbul/Turkey, Japan, etc.
I don't have life figured out, but I don't know that I need to. I'm going to die some day, but I don't have much to say about when, where, how... I have given a lot, and I still do, but I'm reconciled that I'm not going to save the world, and that'll be up to the younger generations to prioritize. My sole daughter is happy, healthy (after some earlier health issues), married and a homeowner in Chicago. Her father-in-law told me on my last visit there that he's never seen his son/my daughter so happy. That's all I can ask. She likes her job in the publishing industry, and she won't have to worry about money in the future, so I have nothing to be concerned about there. In a way, my life is done. It's been good, and everything else is going to be like gravy.
Hey, Paul, I don’t think of myself as retired, but I’m working less and interested in your question about how I spend my time because I asked a couple of friends the same question a few years ago. They said they take college-level courses, work out and find that there’s always something on the daily agenda. And they live in Florida, so I think there is probably more year-round outdoor activity, too.
As for me, after leaving my full-time PR job, I have been able to play more..travel south for months at a time without much planning, ride miles on my bike when the weather is good, spend time with friends I used to rarely see, babysit a new granddaughter (that’s the big change! ), pickle ball, yoga, my blog, and most recently, Pure Barre, to which I am now addicted, so I go a lot. I love it. How life changes from going to the bars to barre!
What I miss least is the commute to work, which was hours every day on the 684 speedway! …..and then driving to clients during the day. I loved the PR work, but It didn’t leave much free time.
Why do you think about retirement? If it’s just the number.. well… for me, I don’t think that would be enough of a reason.. “just sayin’, “ since you asked! Good luck!
I retired early at 55. Have never looked back. I am frenetic by nature so finding crusades and causes to fill my time is not at issue at all. It’s amazing how quickly we adapt to a “new norm”. Take the trip. Smell the flowers. Enjoy the ride while your mind and your body give you the means to do so. Best of luck, Paul. I have been following you for many many years!
Retirement is a transition— think of it like you would moving to a new job. There’s an adjustment period, no doubt, and a new routine. But you adapt, get used to it ( perhaps slowly) and then reach the point of “enjoyment”— when you say ‘I’m so glad I retired’! And daily, you do things old and new— explore new places, new people, new destinations— more time to travel, of course. Some days are more exciting than others but you reach a balance— and perhaps find new hobbies or interests along the way.
Fear not! You’re gonna love it— eventually.
As to your question, retirement comes when it comes, and when you are ready. I quit my last job in 2018, when I was 71. For a while thereafter, I thought of myself as unemployed and checked the job listings looking for my next placement. Then one morning, I awoke, and it felt as though I had crossed an invisible line in the ocean: I wasn't unemployed, I was retired.
I love being retired. Of course, as you may remember, my commitment to hard work was somewhat tenuous at best. Now, there's the joy of being able to take off for as long as I want, with no one expecting me back at my desk. We're in the middle of a three-month stay in Mexico. This summer, we'll go somewhere else, probably in Europe. It's like climbing the Berlin Wall and escaping to the West.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/retirement-travel-advice-tips-11675274189
Wow! 55 that’s young. I’m glad you adapted to it so well. Given the answers so far it seems everyone has. Thanks for following me. One thing—I’d have a lot more time to write what I want in the future.