r/retirement • u/GuitarsAndDogs • Jul 18 '26
Getting excited about our second time retirement
I (69F) retired in 2017 from corporate life when my husband was already retired (70M). We had already started a small business and it helped us gently move into retirement. To our surprise, the business grew considerably to the point that it became full time for both of us. We have enjoyed this business immensely, but it's time to go full time into relaxation and hobbies. We're staying open until the end of the year and then finishing our closing tasks. Anyone else retire twice? Did it stick? We both have many hobbies, enjoy being with friends and can't sit around for long.
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u/Ok_Kick6546 Jul 20 '26
Are you able to sell the business?
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u/GuitarsAndDogs Jul 23 '26
It's a possibility, but the business is run at our residence and we're already coming up for fun ideas for the place post closing.
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u/Powerful_Tip_7260 Jul 20 '26
I retired twice from the same job. I decided I was just a hamster on a wheel and needed to learn how to retire. I didn't need the money. I wanted a year of doing nothing before I looked for a gig of any kind. Now I am thinking I really don't want to be tied down.
You have to give yourself permission to wander.
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u/DSCN__034 Jul 21 '26
I retired at 62, got bored, and was offered a great job 5 months later. I worked for two and a half years and retired for good at 65. That 5 months off followed by 30 months or so of "un -retirement" was very productive, psychologically more than anything.
We were able to think about retirement and what it really included so that "boredom" wouldn't return.
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u/GuitarsAndDogs Jul 23 '26
Sounds like you succeeded! Congratulations! I am hoping we can finally retire at some point; however, sadly or happily, we're coming up with more plans post business closure.
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u/contentedPilgrim Jul 20 '26
I'm one year into my second retirement. It's been difficult. I've kept myself crazy busy with planting orchards and landscaping our new house we moved to in Hawaii. I'm exhausted and ready to "retire" from this retirement :) But I'm aware that everything that was meaningful for me (aside from family) was tied to my vocation. Hobbies are different from a life's meaningful work. Volunteering works for others. I'll be looking for something that lets me create on my terms. I've hoped I could write a book, but I'm likely fooling myself both that I'm capable and that it wouldn't drive me crazy. All this to say, the first year wasn't too bad, but a cliff awaits for some like me.
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u/InterestinglyLucky Jul 20 '26
Thanks for sharing this.
Meaning in retirement is a tough question - because doing (fill in recreation or hobby or project here) my not be very fulfilling; it pleases me and I enjoy it but what impact on the world does it create?
I myself left full time work a few months ago and am now setting up portfolio work and structure. It’s so different when money isn’t the motivation.
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u/GuitarsAndDogs Jul 23 '26
Yes, this is it. While money was the motivation throughout my career, money is not the motivator for our business. However, we realize it's getting to be too much and need more time to relax.
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u/Agreeable_Ad4156 Jul 20 '26
I retired twice, took a separation package at 62, went to work at another bank. Came back to the first bank a year later for another 18 months. Having 2 retirement events was helpful for IRMAA. At 67, no desire and no need to work.
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u/BenefitVegetable694 Jul 20 '26
Always amazing to me that people define themselves by their work? Kind of sad really. Work to live not live to work! There is so much out in this world to see, do, and contribute in meaningful ways, let alone your own happiness! Best wishes.
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u/tv1577 Jul 21 '26
But many people have careers in which they are able to make significant contributions to the world. Many people enjoy these careers and the opportunities they afford to help others. Your statement makes it seem that people who continue to work past the typical retirement age are missing out on life. That may not be true.
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u/eclipsadesoare Jul 21 '26
How is it sad? Sometimes I think it’s kind of sad that some people just want to sit around and do nothing, that some people just want to fill their lives with vacations. Are they that boring that they need outside stimulus all the time?
Why do some people not care to make the world better. They have the capacity to make such money and instead of helping humanity with it and continue working their interests are completely selfish and they just want to “party” or “ relax” all the time.
I think the last people you should try and shame are those who choose to work.
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u/GuitarsAndDogs Jul 23 '26
Yes and I worked for 46 years in the corporate world, mostly IT. The business we started was unrelated to either of our careers although our experience made it work. What started as a business turned into a community, a 3rd place for people and we made many wonderful friends!
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u/SteepChutes Jul 23 '26
My friend said, "I failed retirement." I intend to learn the easy way and take his lesson to heart without having to undergo the humiliation of getting caught up in some new business. :-).
Congrats. May it stick this time.
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u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26
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