Friday 14 September 2012

Can it really be a year ?

I retired a year ago today. 

This was because my PSA reading had gone up to 26 and Dr. K wanted to put me on chemotherapy. I certainly wasn't going to have chemotherapy and work ! So although I didn't know it, on the 13th September 2011 I walked out of the office at 5pm not realising that I would never go in there again as a working man ...

... and it's been the happiest year of my life. 

I know ... it sounds weird. It's hard to believe. Bear in mind though that I don't have to listen to anybody unburdening their woes on me. There's no need to have to listen to people whinging and moaning ... ok, my family and friends do that but I don't mind listening to them [most of the time].

I don't have to worry about 'targets'.

I now have the [relative] freedom to do what I want. OK, visits to the doctor get in the way now and again. The ten sessions of chemotherapy didn't help either as they left me feeling a bit rough some of the time but mainly I've not felt too bad ... and heck, I still go walking.

The story goes that some men suffer loss of self esteem when they retire. They need to be needed. Some men [and probably women too] don't think they'd be able to cope with sitting at home ... but who said anything about sitting at home. There are so many things to do and be done.

I've become one of those people who says "I've not got enough time to do everything I want to do ...".

OK my future isn't assured but whose is ?

So one year after leaving work I raise my glass to you * and [note I don't make any mention of next week, next month, next year] wish you well.

Me in the Old Poet's Corner, Ashover

  Of course I still have to put up with problems like no landline or broadband for most of the day ... hence me posting this now at 5.40pm rather than 10.00am this morning. Some things never change.

* photo taken on the 15th September 2011 in the Old Poets Corner in Ashover, Derbyshire.

14 comments:

  1. So pleased you have enjoyed your first year of retirement,so many people are afraid of having nothing to do.In my experience life is so much better, there is so much to enjoy in life,and walking is great for body and soul.Hope the next year brings you the same happiness.Ann

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    1. Thank you Ann ... I have been fine with it. I probably haven't travelled further afield as much as I would have liked for a number of reasons. I will try and put that right.

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  2. "Bear in mind though that I don't have to listen to anybody unburdening their woes on me. There's no need to have to listen to people whinging and moaning" Something I have to do on a daily basis. Oh, to be free of it!!! I'm glad you've enjoyed the first year of your retirement. Cheers!!

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    1. I really wonder if it's an unhealthy thing, listening to people moan and whinge. You have my sympathies Mitch ... and thanks for the 'cheers'.

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  3. I'm glad that you have had a good year, all-in-all. I wish you the very best, with many more good years!

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    1. Thank you Pet ... I tend just to think of the 'right now' and not think of or aim for any date in the future. I think it's best :-)

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  4. I'll raise my mug of Horlicks in toast of your retirement... well it is late!

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    1. Thank you highheavens ... though I ought to own up perhaps and let you know I'm more of an Ovaltine man.

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  5. It really is shocking to add up the years as retirement rushes by. It has been 6 years for me and I still check to make sure my pension cheques have been deposited every month. I just don't trust them to keep coming. I feel I don't really deserve this free pay but I paid into it for years. However there is a bit of guilt about getting paid for doing nothing productive for society. I did enjoy working with the children at school but not the administration and ministry waffling about while trying to justify their big wages. However retirement has been a blast so far. We are getting ready to slow down and settle in a small unit, but I love the freedom of retirement. So good on ya mate. You will be surprised when the 6th anniversary arrives too. It only feels like 2 and a half years at the most.

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    1. I know time won't slow down but it would be nice. Like you Karyn there is a certain amount of guilt [but not too much] in not doing anything that is 'contributing' but after 44 years of work I think I;d done my bit ...

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  6. Happy first year of retirement... enjoy all the walk and good things in life while you can... cheers and hugs.

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  7. I am always shocked when I think how long I haven't worked. It's great though, isn't it?!

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    1. I'm shocked, surprised and delighted ... and it's only a year.

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