by Sammy Stein

Created on: September 18, 2008   Last Updated: January 06, 2010

You cannot really prepare for retirement because, until you actually wake up and realise that you do not need to go to work, it never seems real. Retirement hit me like a brick - and I loved it! This was because, I had actually been preparing mentally long before, I just had not realised it.

When the day finally dawned when I did not have to take part in the long commute to the office, I actually hugged myself, I was so happy. Suddenly, I realised that I really, really can have that lie in (but actually, I do not want it because I love each day!) I really do not have to smile and be charming to the grumpy cleaner as I enter the office. She can grump away. I was only charming to her because if I was not, she would leave my bin full until I begged her to empty it and everyone was asking what the smell was (it was my mackerel paste sandwiches in it!)

Mentally, preparing can be hard. I tried to envisage myself not working and I found I had no image to refer to. I did not know what retired people did so, about 6 months before I actually retired I joined the golf club. Here I met loads of guys who had retired. I also joined something called U3A which is the University of the 3rd Age. I expected it to be patronising and provide 'something for older people to do' like theatre outings, knitting groups oreven sherry tastings but not a bit of it. U3A is for anyone over 50 and consists of local groups, led by anyone who has an area of expertise, be it bird watching to kite surfing if you like. Small groups are formed and each leader takes the group for sessions monthly, weekly or whenever the group wants to meet. Although under the umbrella of the U3A organisation, the groups run largely autonomously and can number anything from 5 - 50 per session. You can be leader of one group and attend another.

I joined the armchair travel group (where we take turns hosting an evening of travel slides, photos and discussions on particular areas- with drinks andnibble as well I might add!), the ornothology group (led by Bill, a well known naturalist), and the DIY group - because I never did learn how to hang shelves properly. I met all kinds of people - both retired and working and found them interesting, full of vigour and ideas. Not a knitting needle or sherry in sight (though I am sure there would be a group at which you could do these things).

I also joined the local operatic society- I always wondered if I could sing and when I did my audition they said I could - and gave me a part. We have a show in two months and a lot of work before hand.

I also began to volunteer at the local wildlife reserve - hard work but I love every minute and I can pass my knowledge on to others and learn something new every day.

All these things mean I have already gained a wide network of friends- once you meet a few, you get asked to other things and so on until you find you need a large diary to fit everything in. My post-retirement diary is fuller and larger than the one I used when I was working- and the address section is bursting with contacts and new friends' names.

I think foresight and preparation is vital because, as my retirement approached, I found I could not wait to spend more time doing things I liked. My mind had already switched to post-office life and my career, though successful and enjoyable, no longer held a fascination for me. I meetings I found myself going over my lines for the show or working out the best way to show my slides of Morocco. I really do wonder how I ever managed to fit work in before and why I did not do more of the things I liked.

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