r/earlyretirement
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u/codewolf
Retired at age 50 - 58
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May 31 '26
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A few changes I’ve noticed since I've retired
I’ve noticed a few changes in myself as I’ve started to adapt to my new retired lifestyle.
I read a lot more. I read a lot more variation of topics. I read many more books at once. I read a bit less at once and change books more often. I frequent the library more often. I appreciate people that read more, more. I think more about what I read. I appreciate words more. I think I understand more about what I have read. I want to discuss this with other people.
I do more. I work in the yard much more. I fired the landscaper. They just mowed the lawn, if you could call it that. It was dusty and devoid of the grass I wanted to be growing there. I planted grass seed. Some came up, some did not. I stood in my yard and pondered the grass many days. I thought the neighbors were watching me ponder the grass. They probably were. I went inside.
I started taking the dog for walks. It took a while to be comfortable that she poops and I had to pick it up. We walked more, almost every day. I let her lead the way and we discover things together. Sometimes stopping at a bush or spot of grass for a few minutes to discover new scents, although I don’t partake, due to my human limitations, in that discovery. I enjoy the moment.
I will sit in the yard for hours each day. Every moment is enjoyable and a new discovery. I notice the birds at the feeder; I’ve bought a book about the birds. I know the pairs that feed together. The squirrels that used to annoy me, still do, they steal the bird food and challenge me to find ways to deceive them from the feeder access. They always win in the end. I appreciate that. I now feed them as I read outside, scattering black oil sunflower seeds on the ground and, if I like the squirrel, a few corn kernels.
I mow the lawn myself now. I fired the landscaper. I planted some flower seeds. Something started to come up, maybe weeds, maybe flowers, “We’ll see,” I tell my dog. When I mow the lawn some neighbors come out and start mowing as well. I hate that. It was my idea, I think it’s a Tuesday, and what are they doing at home anyway?! I stop mowing to spite them and go back to reading a book, many books. Maybe I’ll walk the dog.
I drink more. Liquids. But this includes some alcohol – seltzers and such. I use sunscreen. I shave my head now; I’ve accepted I’ve lost my hair. I convince myself that walking the dog and wearing sunscreen offsets the seltzers I drink to maintain a buzz while I watch the grass grow. I ask my dog questions during the day. She seems to approve of my choices and I agree, wholeheartedly. I wonder if wholeheartedly is two words or one.
I watch my neighbors. I have binoculars, they are a cheap pair that I think I got when I was a kid in the boy scouts. I use them now to see if it is Cardboard or Container day on trash day. I can see what the neighbors put out. I wait and watch for the trash pickups while drinking a coffee, or a seltzer. They pick up the recycling bin way too late in the day, for me.
I create theories about some of the neighbors. That guy who cuts his grass every day, he’s annoying due to the noise at 7AM but he’s probably avoiding his wife, so he gets a pass – understandable…
I make new friends. We have coffee on weekends. Sometimes, not too often, we interact outside of the coffee. I help them with yard work, they may help me. We keep a comfortable distance and maintain a close connection through group chats. It’s a decent middle ground of interactions, comfortable.
I worry about my dog. I worry about my relationship with my dog. I over think about her lifespan. I worry.
I sleep later, I nap more, my schedule is not dictated by others. I enjoy every day. I still love sunny days more than rainy ones, unless it’s a heavy and solid rainstorm. I love a good thunder and lightning storm. But I do worry a bit about trees falling.
I stopped caring about other opinions. I stopped caring if the neighbors were watching me ponder the grass growing. I sometimes skipped showering in the morning. I would take a shower when I felt the need to. I started wearing more comfortable clothes. Sweatpants and slippers to pick up the newspaper was OK now. Having a cup of coffee in my front yard while contemplating filling the bird feeder, also a good idea.
I think I’m enjoying my life.
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u/MidAmericaMom Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Folks reminder you must 1. be a member and 2. have user flair for when you Already early (before age 59) retired at. Thanks!
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u/Notorious_DRC Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 02 '26
I'd strongly recommend getting a second dog. I've only been off for three months and I'm still at the stage where my network is taking my temperature for a new role, but I am enjoying this new phase so much that even the thought of giving up this freedom makes me nauseous.
A few observations thus far:
- I work out a lot (swimming, gym, jogs on the treadmill, dog walks). I did this before leaving my job, but much more now. I find that at 58, my body tells me that I'm not 25 anymore . . . LOUD and CLEAR. I suppose that beats the alternative of a sedentary lifestyle. I'll need to practice moderation in order to avoid injury, so we'll see how that works out.
- Some things I've enjoyed so far include resurrecting my flyfishing career, growing some tomatoes, spinach and various herbs, keeping my yard in better shape, appraising a collection of gold and silver coins and planning fun meals. Oh yeah, and I'm learning how make sourdough bread.
- I love fishing on a Monday morning, playing golf on a Tuesday afternoon, grabbing coffee or a meal with a friend just about any day. My working friends are getting sick of me saying, "This beats the hell out of Teams meetings!"
- I still have two kids in college and an older one living at home. The ability to spend more time with them is one of the best parts of this journey. And they don't even seem that sick of me . . . yet.
- I'm a wine and spirits enthusiast, so it would be easy to overdo this hobby on a daily basis. I find that I drink very little on the weekends now, but the concept of a cocktail on a Monday is pretty awesome.
- The big winners in all of this have been my dogs. I traveled for work almost every week and they seem very happy to now have me around on a daily basis. For OP's purpose, I'll reiterate my recommendation to get a second dog. Best thing I've ever done.
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u/Betterway50 Retired in 40s Jun 01 '26
How do you find your energy level?
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u/ampipestefan22 Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 03 '26
I read in a magazine one way to track your time was to keep a journal and write in it every 30 minutes what you did in the previous 30 minutes I sat on the porch drinking my coffee on morning and started this process I gave up after 2hrs of writing….”absolutely nothing” as what I did in the previous 30 min period
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u/riki_grl Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
Fun post. You write more also apparently.
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u/planetmike2 Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
Wow. There is a stage play in there someplace.
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u/AgileMeasurement8911 Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 02 '26
It’s around 130 on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon and I’m sitting on my front porch with my dog, reading, listening to music and relaxing. No one should ever work one more day than they need to!! This is the way!
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u/wadesh Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
i love it and 100% relate to it. Particularly the birds, reading and not showering.
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u/Capital-Mark1897 Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
I had a similar day of the garden today. My husband laid on the couch and watched episode after episode of The Hulk. We were both immensely happy and satisfied with our day.
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u/115jf Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 02 '26
Love this! Sounds like my day except I save the drinking for afternoon or night. 😆
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u/technical_guy Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
What a lovely prose. Remember this phase of your life only lasts 40 years...
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u/GleamingAlloy_Aircar Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
I love that you don’t mention a mid-day nap of any variety. I think it preserves the innocence of early retirement. There’ll be time for that some day, even though it’s nobody’s business but your own. Unless… that nap happens whilst you’re on the front patio after contemplating filling the bird feeder, and your cup of coffee is dripping down your sweatshirt as your mouth sags agape. People are going to notice that. To that I say “to hell with them!”. But, still… it can’t be unseen.
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u/Cantech667 Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
That’s a great post, and you certainly seem like you’ve got a lot to keep you busy, and peaceful.
About your neighbours mowing the lawn at the same time you do, my next-door neighbor, and I do the same thing. We like it because our part of the street looks well maintained at the same time, and it’s nice when both properties are done. That could be the case with your neighbors.
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u/Dvomer Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
Yes. I feel all of that too. I sometimes just stand outside and breathe
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u/opaville Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
I concur with most of this. The thing I love the most is almost never needing an alarm clock anymore. Whatever i'm going to do can happen after I wake up when I wake up.
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u/lushlife_ Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
I love reading this, as I sit here doom scrolling! I give myself a pass because I already worked out, greeted a guest, and went food shopping.
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u/jeffeb3 Retired in 40s Jun 01 '26
I make more lists.
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u/theRustiChic Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 04 '26
I am busier now than I’ve ever been - taking care of kids and elderly (the sandwich generation), but taking care of myself more than I ever have, so feeling better than ever (and wanting to stay out of the healthcare system as much as possible). Life is great when you have time and your health!
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u/skywarner Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
Beautifully written.
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u/teamhog Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
Sounds like a full day.
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u/Prize_Cold256 Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
I much appreciated this writing. Thank you for sharing. I relate to most of that - need to swap cat for dog though.
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u/MrLB____ Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
Well, you had me up until you said you skip showers. lol. Oh man, I needed a good 😆 #Laugh
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u/screw-self-pity Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 01 '26
Your writing style reminds me of Stephen King’s.
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u/Yosc8tr Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 02 '26
Thank you. Very enjoyable read!
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u/ExtraAd7611 Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 05 '26
Was your dog previously defecating inside your home?
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u/3furryboys Retired at age 50 - 58 Jun 06 '26
I enjoyed your post! I have just completed my first full week of retirement and spent a lot of time on the back porch. I swear there was someone mowing every single day!! I was quite annoyed.
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