This is How I Feel about NOT Working!
By DianneN
@DianneN (246819)
United States
August 23, 2017 12:42pm CST
I had a longish and successful career as a general education teacher, special education teacher, and professor of special education at our local university. However, I took an early retirement buy out offer, and it was an opportunity I couldn't refuse.
Sure, I loved teaching. I loved my coworkers. I loved many of the parents. I even loved most of the principals, superintendents, and supervisors.
I am still good friends with many of the staff and parents. We go out for lunches, drinks, and I still attend school parties.
However, I love being free to sleep late. I love being able to read more and do whatever I want during school hours. I love receiving the same amount of money per month as I did when teaching, raises and all. I love being able to spend my winters in Florida. I love seeing friends and family whenever I want.
I still get those going back to school feelings, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, but it lessens each year.
No more superintendent's address, no more workshops and staff development, no more parent teacher conferences, no more paperwork, no more lugging a book bag back and forth daily, no more meetings before meetings, no more legal documents to write, and no more bus duty! Woot Woot!'
Don't get me wrong. I loved my career, but love my life now!
52 people like this
58 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
23 Aug 17
Well that is good you still get the same amount of money as well as raises too Dianne! That is a big bonus!
Of course you would love being able to do as you please.
I am glad life has been good to you in your career and now retirement.
9 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
24 Aug 17
@TiarasOceanView , very well said my friend.
5 people like this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
24 Aug 17
You do seem to have a full life which would not have been possible if you were stilL working. I gave up working midway and did so many things. I did a course in German, attended a few computer classes, went on a foreign holiday, learnt to swim, had time to visit friends and family, started my own business designing landscaped gardens.and last but not the least had time to travel to the place where I am now, to build SOLITAIRE
4 people like this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
23 Aug 17
I can feel your excitement for being retired all the way here.
4 people like this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Aug 17
Good for you! So many people retire and find out that they can't stand it.
3 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
24 Aug 17
You did your time, now go and enjoy the rest of your life.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205753)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jan 18
"Did my time" is sometimes how I feel about working with poor families for so many years. Right now I just work with upper middle-class Jewish kids at the preschool (they're absolutely precious and their parents are fun to talk to) and my college students.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Jan 18
@TheHorse I would like to think I will retire one day, travel and have fun but I dont see it in the near future. Unless I suddenly get rich.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
24 Aug 17
I am at the stage of loving my career right now
3 people like this
@mysimplelot (1347)
• Calcutta, India
24 Aug 17
At some point of time we do remember our old days. I remember my school days too.I hate paperworks too. You can do whatever you like but feeling like not working is worse because it does not keep your spirit alive.
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
23 Aug 17
That is awesome. It always makes me sad when some retired folks sort of crumble - nothing to do.... it sounds like your life is very full and enjoyable I'm happy to hear
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
24 Aug 17
@DianneN Awesome, the best way to live, I think!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
24 Aug 17
I have not worked at any career long enough to ever dream of retirement in this way. I also tend to become a hermit when not working. I recognize both the ups and downs of what I do and believe me, I would jump at a chance to change to something less consuming and stressful. My daughter points out that I have spent my life taking care of people, especially the last twenty years. That is both family and work. I am looking for a way to take care of me. We enjoy you sharing your retirement life with us though.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Aug 17
I am so jealous! I wish I was in a position to retire right now, because I am somewhat burned out on my career. I have a little less than five years to go before I can retire with my full pension. I'm sorta hoping that in about 3-4 years we enter into another recession, because typically during downturns in the economy governments offer early retirement and buyouts of employees to thin the employee ranks. And I would take the offer in a heartbeat if it came my way! I want to be like you and sleep in as late as I want!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Aug 17
@DianneN I'm thinking I might be able to hang in there and make it five more years, because time definitely speeds up as we age, so it should fly by pretty fast!
2 people like this
@DianneN (246819)
• United States
24 Aug 17
@moffittjc It does go quickly in retrospect. You can do it!
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Aug 17
I know that teaching can be a grueling career. Anne taught on air force bases in Turkey and Germany for a number of years.
3 people like this
