9 Myths of Retirement

Yesterday I read a blog that wrote about the nine myths of being self-employed. This got me thinking so here I present almost a year on the 9 myths of retirement.

Myth #1 You will have more time

If you were a busy person when you worked you will be busy person in retirement. My diary has never been more full, the difference now is that rather than interminable meetings it is now full of the things that I want to do.

Myth #2 You will miss work

This is true but to a different extent, I miss the people who I worked with, I do not miss the work itself. Even with friendship I keep in touch with people, I just have to be more organised about it.

Myth #3 Only paid work is rewarding

On the contrary the voluntary activities that Marion and I undertake are much more rewarding. When we return from them we have an inner glow. This is not because we are philanthropic because some of the activities are for our own pleasure.

Myth #4 Retirement is expensive

Firstly all those sandwiches and coffees bought at work are removed from expenditure. You no longer commute, and for us there is much less food waste. I also walk more rather than using the car.

Myth #5 Your mind will atrophy

Quite the reverse whereas at work you concentrate on one activity, now I am free to investigate all types of things. Working on the NYMR brings new challenges of learning rules and regulations. Writing my blog has increased my breadth of thought if not the quality of the output.

Myth #6 You will spend more time in bed

No you spend a different time in bed, we tend to go to bed later and get up later.

Myth #7 You will catch-up on those boxed sets

I thought this. But in fact our backlog is greater than ever. This I cannot explain except to say that our viewing habits have not changed.

Myth #8 You will get to the end of your “to do” list

Absolutely not the list of things that Marion wants me to do grows exponentially with the number of things that I complete.

Myth #9 You will have more holidays

This in our case is not a myth but is absolutely true! In retirement I need more holidays.