retirement

[neathlat]

I took early retirement at 54 can anyone suggest a course or part time job to keep me sane ?

[jno]

The world is full of courses (though not so full of jobs). It depends what your interest are.

[coccinelle]

Learn a language such as italian then travel to Italy to practise it. You might love it so much you decide to live there.

[dunwerkin]

Once you start joining groups - walking, golf, whatever takes your fancy, you will find that opportunities start to appear. The library is a great source of local information, just pick up some leaflets to read at home. The U3A (University of the Third Age) has loads of interest groups that you can join - or start one of your own. You could do gardening for older people; volunteer to drive people to hospital appointments, there is even an organisation that lists what charitable groups need volunteers - try Google for a start or your Town Hall. Good luck - it won't be long before your skills will be welcomed.

[neathlat]

yea, I thought about learning a language alright, whether I`d have the patience to keep it up is debatable. I never thought about voluntary work like driving which also sounds like a good idea. Thank you all for your input and I`ll keep on Googling in the meantime !

[wolf63]

I had to 'retire' on health grounds at the age of 40 and had no hobbies. I started volunteering in our local Oxfam book and music shop and it has been good fun.

[brenda]

Like you , I took early retirement at 54 , and after 6 months was bored out of my mind.
I was already a volunteer at the Samaritans , had been there for 5 years, so I increased my sessions there .Then came a house move to a different area and I volunteered for training at a CAB,worked there for 3 years as a volunteer and then was appointed as a part-time Tribunal worker(getting paid again was terrific.)Did that for 21/2 years until I moved house again.
After unpacking all my bits and bobs went to the local F.E college and signed up to do Indian Head Massage.Loved the course ,and it was free for golden oldies.
So now do that free for anyone who I know in my area.
Then looking on the net found that my local uni did free courses and did one in Life Coaching., now have a small business doing this hours to suit me , holidays when I want and I generally work no more than 1 day a week.Useful for keeping the brain active.
After much thought am now thinking about a new dimension and will be scouring the net to see what there is.
So my advice to you would be go for it , use the net, local colleges , find out what is on offer,or do some voluntary work, and enjoy your retirement.
I honestly now don't know how I found the time to work .Sincere good wishes and the very best of luck.Brenda.

[craft1948]

I took early retirement and after six months found myself bored...........I took a job as a company secretary......very few hours but gives you an interest.

[neathlat]

life coaching sounds interesting what exactly is involved ? thanks again everyone for posts.

[Lowenadler]

Have you thought of the University of the Third Age (U3A)? To quote their blurb, they are a "self-help organisation for people no longer in full-time employment providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment". Media URL: http://www.u3a.org.uk/
Description:

[brenda]

neathlat-- basically LIfe coaching is helping people acheive the goals and targets they want to acheive. It involves working with your client and breaking down the way to their acheivements into small manageable bits.It is very much client orientated , a lot of practitioners work from home and see clients at their home. Others like my self conduct all contact after the initial meeting by phone and e-mail.You do not have to be judgemental in anyway, and you need to be able to tell a client at the outset if you think their aims and goals are totally unrealistic at the present time,and renegotiate what is possible.You will need to have a great deal of patience, and awareness of the fact that some clients at times seem to be going backwards.Plenty of info on the net under Life coaching, and if I can help you further please keep in touch. Sincerely Brenda.

[neathlat]

thanks Brenda I have looked up local and distance learning courses and life coaching courses are widely available. Might give it a go ! thanks again.

[brenda]

Hope youdo and that you are successful on the course , you will find it interesting and rewarding . The very best of luck , let me know how you get on. Brenda.