12 days left...

[wiseheart]

... and my heart is pulling me in opposite directions. On the one hand I'm immensely grateful that I no longer have to go through all that useless shit Boss Woman has put me through during the last decade and a half. That will be a delight.

On the other hand, I'm beginning to realise that I won't see my colleagues - most of whom I like very much - on a daily basis. My social life, such as it is, happened mostly at the workplace (unless LJ counts), and having that taken away will need a great deal of adjustment. I wish I had such long-time friends as Mum has, but my so-called friends only ever stayed in touch as long as they wanted something. I'll have to make conscious efforts not to become an hermit.

Fortunately, I'll remain a member of our choir, so that means meeting the girls twice a week, and that is something. But I had to confess that as much as I'm looking forward to leave Boss Woman and her tyranny behind me, I'm getting a tiny bit scared.

Comments

[meathiel]

Hmmm ... are there meetings or stuff in your part of town for "lonely" people?

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Oh, I intend to go to senior gymnastics or perhaps yoga or somesuch, and I'm planning to keep in touch with recently retired colleagues (not all of them are idiots, you know), so I'm sure I'll manage. It's just a huge readjustment, it is.

Forgot to add: it seems I'll be having private students from January on - only two of them, but I don't even intend to overtake myself. And being able to teach German again will be a blessing.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

It's an adjustment for sure, but you have enough interests that you can find one or two groups that share those interests. One nice thing we have here, is that the NY State community colleges allow residents over 60 to audit their courses without cost (as long as there is space). The hard part of course is motivating yourself; I think everyone struggles with it at some point.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Our district has this so-called 60+ card, which enables us various activities for a lower price - like senior gymnastics. I'm also planning to pick up French again, as there's a language school that accepts said card (if it ever arrives; I've applied for it almost a month ago). I don't want to make any language proficiency exam or whatnot (no more stress if I can avoid it), but I still hope I'd be able to visit France again one day, and I want to be able to ask for directions, shop for food and such simple stuff.

[motodraconis.livejournal.com]

I suppose the transition will take some getting used to, as you build up fresh links and are forced to discard others.
Vargr seems to love retirement, but then he's pretty unsociable and likes having the time to devote to his creative projects.

Good luck with the French class. I hope to learn Hungarian when I retire. I started learning it on Duolingo but it was fiendish, so I'm hoping to have formal lessons in it one day, perhaps a few courses in Budapest or so. Seemed like an excellent way to keep the brain nimble! I'd like to properly polish up my French and German too with courses in the said countries, but after getting to grips with Norwegian and before retirement. Hungarian will be post retirement as it needs to be concentrated on without distraction!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Let's hope I'll live long enough to see you doing that. When you come to Budapest and I'm still around, we can do lots of cool things together. I love showing off my beautiful city. *g*

[ambree40.livejournal.com]

Your anxiety is so familiar to me.

But I found that I got quite busy after retirement. So busy, in fact, that I wondered how I had ever managed to work alongside all my side interests. I do sometimes feel a bit bored but I actually enjoy that feeling because it always leads to something new and unexpected.

Let me tell you about my partner, who made a long list of things he wanted to do after retirement. He has now been retired for some years and has done not a single item from that list! Instead, he started studying Spanish, going on solitary walking trips, became a keen plant photographer, just to mention a few things. We found that the best thing retirement brought us was that it opened up unexpected aspects of who we really are. :-)

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I'm mostly all right about the whole thing, really. It's just so that sometimes I'm overwhelmed by panic in the face of the fact that my whole life is about to change so profoundly.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}}
I hear you. My of mu social life is at work, as well.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Yes, and the thought no longer having that, at least not in the same manner, is, frankly, terrifying.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

*nods*

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you'll be fine as you've been so unhappy at work. Could you not do things like an occasional meal out or visit to the cinema with your colleagues?

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Oh, I will see them twice a week, as choir rehearsals are held at school, but it still feels a bit scary.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

*hugs* It's a big change fro working to not. As much as I am anticipating it, I too am a bit worried. I hope everything works out okay for you. I have a feeling that it will.

[mirasaui.livejournal.com]

Your colleagues will miss having you around just as much as you miss them, and I am sure will make the extra effort to visit with you more often. Change can be scary, but I think you will find you adjust quickly and find even more enjoyable projects to occupy your leisure time.

And, thank you for the wonderful Dan Vasc :0)

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

He is quite something, isn't he?