My husnand retired in Sept 2002, I retired this past July. I am 52,he's 59, so I guess we're living the American dream. The downside is we are now "living on a fixed income" . He has a state govt pension plus Social Security Disability,and I have a small pension. He stays up late watching TV,while I fall asleep about nine and wake at six. From 6am to about ten am is "my time". I have breakfast, go out, shop,garden, visit the animal shelter, go to the mall,sit on the computer, whatever I like. DH rises between ten and eleven am. He has many health problems and has lots of doctor appointments , so he always schedule them for the afternoon. Neither of us is handy with tools and repairs, so if anything breaks we have the repairmen in after twelve. Our two kids are still in high school, so making dinner for the family gives us some structure.

I look back on 20+ years of retirement, re-located to the country property in '84.
At first it really seems like a long vacation, but eventually some structure will develop.
I have animals and a garden to take care of, and that frames a good part of my day.
Then there is the trip to the Post Office - no mail delivery to my house -
I am an early riser and spent the first part of the early morning at the computer.

I've been retired for about 1 1/2 yrs. I worked an evening shift when I worked (3 pm to 11 pm) then had to "unwind" before going to bed about 12 or 1 am. Now -- I find I am a morning person - get up about 6:30 or 7:00, and yes, I do have a somewhat routine that just established itself, but I feel more at ease if there IS a routine (not schedule!). I put on coffee, clean up the kitchen, feed the animals, read the paper, and, because quilting is a major hobby with me, and I'm more productive in the morning, I spend mornings doing more active things, sewing, cleaning, shopping, yard work, etc. etc. I am a little surprised at how busy I find my days sometimes, and wonder how I did everything when I did work. Also - I find I'm cleaning and keeping up the house a little more than I did before - I'm definitely not a "neat freak" but just do like a fairly orderly, clean environment. I'm absolutely loving retirement - I think it is the chance to choose and control how my days' activities go, and I didn't have that before. DH is still working, but I'm pushing him to retire next summer when he turns 65.

Some say the key is to be sure you have shoes on by 8am or so.

Since I heard that, I have observed it to be true for myself. I definitely get more done and feel "up and about" or "into the day" dressed. The lost mornings are definitely pj and bathrobe times! I don't need a schedule so much as I need to get started. You can't start anything without shoes on.

Celtic - I hear you. DH has been retired for 5 years. I've been a legal secretary for 30+ years and finally had had it. The longer I stay in PJs and robe, the more downhill I get but do the crossword every day. When I finally retired last April, there was an "Earthquake" TV marathon for a couple of weeks, all of which I watched, then decided that that was ENOUGH, and got busy outdoors. Then, it got so darn hot so quickly that I could only work in the yard in the AM and I got caught up in "Judging Amy" from 12 -2. See a pattern here? Finally joined a gym as my cholesterol just keeps climbing. I love it. Don't know if it is doing any good yet, but I sure feel better.

I've been doing the Garden Junk gluing 1/2 marbles on bowling balls and whatever else I can get my hands on and some crocheting.

Since we are in upstate NY and snowbound for quite awhile, I will have to find something worthwhile to do, tho just don't know what it is right now. It will have to be something that gets me out of the house and with people and to use my brain.

Carol

The one luxury I love about being retired is sleeping in till we actually wake up...My husband is usually up earlier than I am and he leaves me quietly sleeping in every am...i love it....the rest of the day is fairly routine...I do it pretty much as always just don't have to do anything if I don't feel like it...

My career totally dominates at least 10 hours/day. I am cut off from the world all day. No phone, no internet, no outside connnection at all. I teach in a male prison and love it, but the 2 hr. Round trip drive is killing me. I come home and have a few cocktails. I plan on retiring in 7 months. How do I break this pattern and get on with my life?

Stop the cocktails or at least reduce amount. Not against having a drink but I have seen too many retirees lives revolve around drinking. Easy thing to fall into.

I kind of retired about 15 years ago. I looked at it as working for myself rather than for others. I still write software but now I create what ever app I want. Sometimes I design and install ponds and landscaping. Sometimes I flip homes. When one becomes a chore I switch to another.

One mistake I see people make is jumping into something, spend a lot of money, and it not work out. Or make a big move. Take your time. Research new adventurers. I only look for things that don't take a cash investment. I spend time instead of cash on things I like. But sometimes those things earn cash which I like too.

Get another job. There is a huge difference in having to have a job, sticking it out to retirement, and having a job that you can quit at the drop of a hat if you don't like it. Lots of interesting things to do in the world.

I know about the long commute...not having that is life changing by itself.

Ditto on the drinking. But also be careful about sitting on the couch watching TV. Exercise is good. I like to walk a few hours a day because I like to look at people's yards and houses.