The Retirement Newsletter: Two years to go!
Issue Number: -104 — What will I be?
Welcome
Welcome to newsletter issue number -104.
Yes, 104 weeks to go until I retire, or if you like, two years.
Interesting time span — two years. It seems like a long way off, but it feels very close.
So, how are things? Where do I stand with two years to go?
Planning
My plans are on track — see Issue Number: -106 — End of year review — they need a few tweaks here and there, but apart from my 'Life List', everything seems pretty must on track.
But, there is a fly in the ointment — and I mentioned this in newsletter -105 —Ten reasons why I won't be retiring this year — item 8 in the list of 10 reasons not to retire:
"8. What will I be?
Currently, my job defines me — I am a scientist and a lecturer. When I retire, what will I be? How will I define myself?"
It is a fascinating question, and it has spooked me. What will I be when I retire?
What will I be when I retire?
As I said in newsletter -105: Ten reasons why I won't be retiring this year:
"When I set out to write this newsletter about why I won't be retiring in 2022, I thought it would be a light-hearted piece. How wrong I was! Sorry about that."
And now, looking back at that newsletter, I was very wrong.
In the last week or so, item 8 has got under my skin. When I retire, what will I be? How will I define myself?
I have spent a long time studying and working to become a scientist. And I have been working as a scientist and lecturer for many years.
I spent three years at university to get my degree, another year to get my Masters and three years to get my PhD. That is seven years.
I spent eight years working as a 'bench' scientist (doing science, no teaching). That takes it to fifteen years.
And I have been a lecturer (doing science and teaching) for well over twenty years.
I am now wondering who I am. Thanks, item 8!
In an attempt to answer the question, I spoke to three friends who have retired in the last year to get their take.
Retiree number 1
Pre-retirement, they had a management job in a large multinational company, and I asked them:
Me: "How do you identify now that you no longer work?"
Them: "Huh, what do you mean?"
Me: "If you were at a party and someone asked you what you did, what would you say?"
Them: "Retired."
So, they appear to be having no issues; I guess it is me?
Speaking to a mutual friend, they said that retiree number 1 uses their early retirement as a conversation piece. They are proud they have retired. It gives them bragging rights, and I don't blame them.
Retiree number 2
Retiree number 2 worked in the 'vocational sector' — teaching, medicine, etc. They retired in mid-2021. And when I asked them the "If you were at a party and someone asked you what you did, what would you say?" question, they were hesitant and said they didn't know.
We chatted about the question. They said they were struggling with the idea of being retired. And that they were now looking for a part-time job in their old career. They missed being defined by their profession.
So, I guess I am not alone?
Retiree number 3
Finally, retiree number 3 also worked for a large multinational.
Again, I asked them, "If you were at a party and someone asked you what you did, what would you say?" question, and they replied that they were struggling.
They said that the problem with being retired was that people put you in a box. As soon as you said you were retired, people made assumptions about you being old (they are not old) and of no interest. They felt they were being viewed as past it; when they are not.
Like retiree number 2, they are looking for a part-time job to give them an 'identity'.
Is it just me?
It is a tricky one.
I'm so tied up with what I do as a career that it defines me. So, what will I be when I retire? Worrying…
I am so close, well, two years, to being retired that I am now not sure that I will retire when planned. Do I have retirement cold feet? Is there such a thing?
I am not a psychologist, but maybe be what I am seeing here is Imposter Syndrome? That is, a feeling of fear that I won't belong in the category of 'retired person'.
When you retired, how did you deal with the "If you were at a party and someone asked you what you did, what would you say?" question? What would you say? Please leave a comment below with your answer.
The Future — what are you going to do?
The future used to be clear.
I was going to retire in 2024.
Now I am not so sure.
Nostalgia corner
During the 'pre-Christmas' sales period, I took out a subscription (at a reduced price) to a streaming service in the UK called BritBox. As the name suggests, BritBox is a streaming service for shows from the UK TV channels — BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
I didn't subscribe when BritBox was first announced. I couldn't see the point of paying for shows that I had watched. But with the discount and a month's free trial, I thought I would give it a try. And I am glad I did, as I am getting to watch shows from when I was a kid and long-lost favourites from the 80s and 90s.
So far, I have watched episodes from:
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister — a great series. Well, two great series. Some of it is now dated (e.g. no computer, no mobile phones etc.), but a lot of the writing is still as fresh and relevant today as when the programmes were first broadcast in the 1980s.
A Very Peculiar Practice — an absolute blast from the past about a GP practice at a UK university. Series 1 was much better than series 2.
Catweazle — I had forgotten how weird that programme was!
The Tomorrow People — awful…. I enjoyed it as a kid, but now it is terrible.
'Allo 'allo — so politically incorrect! But it still makes me laugh.
Father Ted — a classic. It is great to dip into some of my favourite episodes.
Plus, several films, including Nuns on the Run, which hasn't aged well.
Anyway, I have been surprised at how much fun I have had revisiting old TV shows.
Useful link
Don't lose your pension pot to scammers — some helpful advice: How to avoid pension scams.
Next week
Well, two years until I retire, and now I am uncertain whether I will retire. Maybe I will wind down and fade away?
Next week, I will look at whether I can practice being retired.
Thanks
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If you would like to say 'thanks' for the newsletter, why not buy me a cup of tea?
Until next time,
Nick
PS, If you have something you would like to contribute to the newsletter — a story, advice, anything — please get in touch.