I never planned on retiring. I always said that the only way I would retire would be if it were taken out of my hands. Well it was, and at the time I wasn't unhappy about it. I was burned out, tired and way past the age most people stop working.
Everyone kept asking me what I was going to do now that I've retired. It's like asking a child, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Honestly, after a year of unemployment, I still don't know. I do know there have been moments of depression, and I'm not big on depression. I know something vital is missing in my life. Sometimes it's moments of longing for the shouting of a demanding boss; sometimes it's those moments of pride, after proving I could do something I never believed I was capable of; but most importantly it's missing the people out there. It's the sounds.
I was always very superstitious about retiring. People often die after they stop working, I noticed. I may not be young, I may be a grandmother, but I'm not ready to close my eyes. I have always found life fascinating. Each experience, the good and the bad, makes us who we are. And so I shall go out there and make some new ones for myself. Life goes by so quickly and I don't have time for sadness or regrets. I'll take a fun class. I always wanted to act -- the market place for woman my age in commercials might be the thing. I'll write another novel. I'll take a gourmet cooking class. I'll fight the fight.
Retirement can be a journey to hell if you let it. Don't let it.