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  • Author Author: ntewinkel
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Retired!

ntewinkel

As of today, I am now officially retired image

 

I decided to take an early retirement to allow for more time with friends and family, and for hobbies - including this tech/maker/creator hobby I just have not had enough time for lately.

 

And hey, perfect timing... The element14 shopping cart that I won for this spring's fun robot project arrived a few days ago!

 

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-Nico

Parents

  • Congratulations - let us know how the transition goes - I'm sure you won't have a problem finding things to do, but how does the motivation change?

  • in reply to dougw

      wrote:

     

    Congratulations - let us know how the transition goes - I'm sure you won't have a problem finding things to do, but how does the motivation change?

     

    So far, so good! 2 weeks and a day into it.

     

    I've been mostly very busy with the renovations at the uncle's house, and have spent much of that time in a tiny crawlspace. sigh. at least it was a bit cooler down below than up above LOL.

    That's coming together nicely now - we're almost ready to install the flooring. We just need to paint the window trim first. Then finishing up with baseboard trim it should be very liveable again. The kitchen is the final piece to being able to live there, after which the other parts are not so urgent (outside wall paint, bit of decking, road gravel, landscaping... that kind of stuff).

     

    I did have a day last week where all day long I felt an urgent kind of nagging of having forgotten something or that there was something urgent I needed to do. I'm guessing the many years of constant work deadlines does that image  That was just the one day.

     

    It was a REALLY nice relief when I was removed from my work email accounts and their related calendars! I didn't think that was a thing, but it really was like a weight being lifted.

     

    I've also been taking a break away from my computer, so other than reading this forum on my phone, I haven't done much in terms of techy projects.

     

    Hope you're all keeping well image

     

    Best,

    -Nico

  • in reply to ntewinkel

    I like the strategy of weaning yourself from the trappings of the old life.

     

    I took a similar approach. I panic one day, after realizing I hadn't visited the usual industry tech sites to keep abreast of changes. I then came to the understanding, my retired life doesn't have to include the tools of the old life. I still have a thirst for knowledge. I just found new sources for what I wanted to know personally and not what I thought I needed to support my profession. That was a weight lifted.

     

    Keep up the good work. Your exit strategy appears to be working.

  • in reply to ntewinkel

    Yes, the freedom to do what YOU want when YOU want introduces an entirely new mindset without the pressure of having to respond to someone when THEY want you to respond.

     

    Retirement is good!

     

    DAB

Comment Children
  • in reply to DAB

    The YOU in that statement is so important. Responding to others request for 40 years earns me the right to spend my retirement time the way I want to spend it.

  • in reply to colporteur

    Yes, as soon as I had enough money to retire, I did so without delay.

    The last eighteen years have been very relaxing. No meetings, no urinal Olympics, no office politics and no boss.

    I look forward each day to doing things I want to do. Occasionally something crops up that I have to do, but in general life is good.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    It took me a few years to decide I had enough. I started the exploration in 2015 and finally jumped in 2018. My decision was delayed because of a new job. It was a career position I had applied for, a number of years before and told I wasn't qualified. With a new manager in the department my CV was more than adequate.

     

    A takeover of the company and an immediate new management insert was writing on the wall for my retirement. I discovered the last year gave me time to seriously think about what I was going to do when I left. That time to assess what do you want to do with the rest of your life was truly valuable.

     

    I have spent 40 years in five careers developing technology. People were saying you can do something else. My daughter told me I hated it go find something you like. Funny, my attachment to technology was different than what others perceived. I couldn't see myself just walking away. I loved problem solving. I loved engineering and implementing technology solutions.

     

    I explored some avenues to establish an intravenous drip of technology once I retired. My technology prescription appears to be working. I'm told I should charge people for knowledge exchanges. I have avoided money for services for a number of reasons and yet still I get compensated.

     

    I have one fear. What happens when my technology dealers leave the street corners? When I don't get a technology fix for a few days I literally get the shakes:)

     

    I have one crutch in my retirement. As best as I can explain it "I don't take on responsibility." I have refused to get involved in a number of activities because there is an expectation of responsibility. I look at projects. Decide if I want to invest time, energy and/or money. Then show up. Usually for short terms with fixed objectives.

     

    My careers had a high level of responsibility. I have no desire to have those feelings anymore. After short discussions about projects I can very fast say, yeah you need to find someone else. I don't want the responsibility. I'm more than willing to help but understand but I make it crystal clear I will walk away when I decide. I have done that once or twice and it restores my balance.

     

    I have established a nest egg to cover cover the cost of my needs. I endorse fully the notion that, the time remaining is mine and I will guard diligently where I spend it.

     

    I think NtW's approach is sound in my opinion. If you have a bad day retired, you are doing something wrong. Discussion like this are much more efficient over a morning breakfast and a coffee at a local diner. A lot less writing also.

  • in reply to colporteur

    I actually enjoy writing.

    So far I have twenty books in print and PDF with several more in progress. All stuff I enjoy doing.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    I am an avid reader. Care to share some titles?