55 and retired

[mmkeller]

Yep, I took the plunge and decided within a week to take early retirement. A year ago I would never thought I could do this, but when your heart is no longer in what you've done for 32+ years, it's time to be free. The last 6 months have been agony. I was going to do this at age 65 but with all the stress and demands I might not make it. So the decision was for my health and my family. I am now free to do anything I want. Eventually is to move and get a job that is truely rewarding. Quoting a famous American, "Free at last".

[mcheddadi]

Yep, I took the plunge and decided within a week to take early retirement. A year ago I would never thought I could do this, but when your heart is no longer in what you've done for 32+ years, it's time to be free. The last 6 months have been agony. I was going to do this at age 65 but with all the stress and demands I might not make it. So the decision was for my health and my family. I am now free to do anything I want. Eventually is to move and get a job that is truely rewarding. Quoting a famous American, "Free at last".

oh yeah! what new field would you like to try next?

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Congrats! Thats awesome! I say this now, but I don't think I can ever retire. I'd get too antsy to work on something.

[dangeris]

That's Awesome Man! Congrats! No everyday is a Saturday for ya! I can't wait for that day for myself!

[xfactor0707]

Lucky man . I have a while to go before i could retire, i still have to finish college :-P

[AltimaJA10]

Congrats!!
Early retirement reminds me of an old insurance commercial. One middle-age guy was selling a boutique garage & an older fellow was buying it. Both said they did so to chase their dreams
Enjoy your new life!!!!

[mmkeller]

The last 10 days have been surreal, I have all this time on "what's next". I was even thinking on self employment, no boss, no hassles, no stress. I like cleaning my AC so much why not go into detailing other ppl cars? I may look further at doing this but not up here in MN. Thanks for all the congrats.

[AviBen]

Glad you took the plunge -- and isn't it exciting!? I have some sense of what it's like, since I left a prior career of over 30 years to pursue a dream I had (of becoming a social worker), and I've never looked back. How about joining in on this thread on the AC forum just for older folks like us:
invitation-to-older-forum-members-age-50-t499783.html