There are studies that say retiring early (at age 55 or before) can lead to longevity in life. And that retiring at 65 or older can lead to death within just a few years of retirement. So many studies that say so many things...
I have friends, mainly in civil service jobs (the 9-5 variety) who have been looking forward to retirement since they were 30! They all plan to retire in their mid-50s, with government pensions and enjoy life. It sounds wonderful to most people.
But for some reason, I have never understood this. I don't want to retire - ever. I plan on working up to about a half an hour before I die, if I can organize it to be that way! This doesn't mean I'm a workaholic or spend no time with my family. I spend more time (ie; 24/7) with my kids than any parent I know and my husband and I spend tons of time together. But work has always been a part of my life, except when I had my children all in a row and wanted to be an at-home parent full time. But even then, I took language classes, administered a website and wrote. I like to work, I've always worked and I find no comfort in the thought of never having to work again. In fact, I find the concept terribly depressing.
Why is this? Maybe it's because I like what I do. Because it's creative and allows me self-expression, as well as freedom to work odd hours and never having to punch a time clock. I suspect if I were working the line at a Detroit auto factory 8 hours a day I might feel differently.
But either way, work - even just a few hours a week - will be a part of me until I take my last breath. Work keeps my brain sharp, my eyes focused and my wits about me. Sometimes I look at men who retire and suddenly go from managers and execs to pottering about the garden and getting in the way of impatient wives who begin to think that "having the rest of your lives together" sounded better on the retirement cards that it does in real life.
I wonder if I asked these men if they'd like to consult a couple half-days a week, what they'd say. I bet they'd jump at the chance. Retirement is hard for men, particularly boomers and older. They have been conditioned to be what they do. They are associated with their job ("how's work?", is one of the first questions they are asked when out and about) and they quickly learned that their self-image, self-esteem and all-round identity is wrapped up in what they do. The same can be said now for many working women. That's not a good thing. There has to be a happy medium.
Not everyone gets to do what they love or achieve their ultimate dreams. If that were the case, I'd be doing interviews about my Booker Prize winning novel at the moment! Sometimes we have to do what we have to do to put food on the table and to put clothes on our kids backs.
But if given the chance, why would anyone not want to work at something they really like, for their entire life? If we take pride in our work, if it's meaningful and keeps us physically, mentally and emotionally strong, then I want to pass the age of 65, and 75, knowing that I have work to do after my birthday celebrations are over. If we hated our jobs but hung on for that pension and security, then 65 isn't too late to start something new that we can love! Being a tour guide, working at a theater, museum or a castle in Scotland. We don't even have to get paid work, we can volunteer our time and work for free!
I see people at church gatherings, in my neighborhood and at other social events- writers, poets, artists and carpenters. All still working and none of them young. Lawyers long retired from corporate law but still keeping their license and doing pro-bono work here or there. Electricians and plumbers still contracting into their 70s and teachers and architects still connected to their professions, albeit in ways different to when they were under 65. I see those who completely retired, yet find themselves busy as ever, with volunteer projects from soup kitchens to art council advisory boards. I always admire these people. There seems to be something so purposeful about their step, their stance and their conversations. And for some reason - whether true or not - they seem healthier.
Time off is good. I believe in down-time, vacations and long walks. I think staring at clouds for an hour can be relaxing - and ironically, productive. I don't plan on putting in 80 hour, stressful work weeks when I'm 80. I want that down-time. I assume I will have earned it.
But work, I will always do. It's more than a paycheck or a 401K plan. It is not my link to self-esteem, self-worth nor is it what makes my life worthwhile. My family, friends, hobbies, travel, and all our combined good times do that. But at the same time, work stimulates me and challenges me and occasionally sets me up for failure in ways that make my successes all the more sweet. Why would anyone want to give that up because they reach a certain age? Why limit ourselves when life is limitless?
Tell Us
Am I quite mad?! Do you long for the lazy days or retirement and plan to spend your time fishing, golfing or reading good books? Or do you plan on keeping your finger in the work pie, long after your peers have checked out?
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I think we could start a new club here -- the forever workers! I simply find life without work a tad UNbalanced. I had a couple years when my husband was being transferred around a lot that I didn't do a lot of my own work, and while it was fun for about 15 minutes, I found myself actually going into depression. I also have family, dear friends and hobbies that I love, but there is something about work that gives my life a structure and a purpose in a different way than other areas.
I think, though, that there's a difference between "work" and "just a job." I can think of a hundred jobs that I might do if I needed a job that I wouldn't want to do forever. I think that finding work you love is a blessing in itself and once you experience it, you want to keep that feeling as part of your life as long as you can.
People who have never had a chance to take some time off probably think I'm nuts. We all have projects that we think we would spend our time doing, things we have meant to get to but just haven't had the time for. We all have photo albums that need finishing and exercise that needs doing and cupboards that need cleaning out, and letters to be written and books to be read and all manner of things we've set aside "for when there's time." The truth is, when you do get the time, somehow those things don't seem as important all on their own. They were always meant to be the things we filled our spare time with, they weren't meant to be our full-time work.
I also have an issue with ADD. I thrive when my time is somewhat structured, with enough give in it for creativity. But I don't thrive if things have so much give that they slip all over the place. There is something about answering to an external source -- a deadline, a workplace, a project done with others -- that makes a better framework for a productive life. At least for me.
November 27, 2008 - 6:27pmThis Comment
Susan, yes you are mad, some might say. But I won't be one of them. I think I'm like you in wanting to work for as long as I can. And many of the people I know are the same way -- many want the 'option' of retiring, but not necessarily retirement itself.
You know, last night I was watching a program that focused on the so-called Blue Zones -- the areas around the world where people lived long and well. I think three out of the four cultures all included a 'sense of purpose' as a key to longevity -- and a sense of purpose is what work provides. It's not the only purpose, but 'a' purpose.
Also having a sense of structure to my day gives me a feeling of well being and I agree with you, it also keeps my mind sharp.
How about you? Are you looking forward to retirement? Or do you think it's a concept made up by 20th century HR managers? How do you think you will spend your time?
November 26, 2008 - 2:43pmThis Comment