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It’s a question many of us ponder as we transition into retirement: Beyond the financial aspects, what truly sticks with us from our working lives, and what do we find ourselves missing?
For me, like many others, it’s the daily banter and camaraderie with customers and colleagues. There’s a unique energy in those professional interactions—the quick jokes, shared challenges, and the general buzz of a workplace. It’s a specific kind of social connection that’s surprisingly hard to replicate.
I’ve found a great way to fill that void by increasing my participation in social sports like pickleball. It provides that regular, light-hearted interaction and a sense of shared activity that was so present in my working life.
I’m eager to hear from other HumbleDollar readers.
I’m with Richard H…I miss nothing. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy my career (last 34 years with one company/ group) but when it was over at retirement the shift to not working was easy.
The social aspects and volunteering for my HOA and other organizations in retirement has been more than fulfilling in the transition . Also, spending more time with my family, especially my grandkids and being close to them as they grow up is awesome!
Mark, hope to see you on the Pickleball courts (I’m in North and central New Jersey)! 👍 We love the social aspects of this hobby.
Initially I realized I missed expertise – developing it and using it. But I replaced my technical expertise with travel knowledge – I planned my trips, mostly three to six months at a time, and then wrote about them. Initially I sent emails (using internet cafes!) and then I had a web site followed by a blog, plus from 2006 on I posted on the Fodors forums. Twenty-five years out, I wouldn’t say I miss anything. It was a long time ago!
My wife didn’t think I’d ever retire. I guess I didn’t either. It turns out that retirement has been quite satisfying. I play golf a few times a week and volunteer on several boards that advise on things ranging from F&B, golf course issues and the local Handicap Committee. I also volunteer for our local FD, as well as various fundraisers for local charities. And we travel a lot.
As I reflect on what I miss from my work life, the answer is nothing. I loved my jobs in Sales and Marketing Management, but I was more ready than I realized to enjoy the fruits of my labors. And I’ve kept in touch with three former colleagues through a book club we started and golf & fishing get togethers.
I’ve had few close friends over the years, but many acquaintances. I’ve held a number of leadership positions over the years. Corporate CEO, president and board member, Manager Systems Engineering, Scoutmaster, HOA Board Member and president, etc. They say it is lonely at the “top” and that is so. Politicking should be left to the politicians.
When I shifted to consulting one of my tasks was to evaluate and sometimes to fire other firms and consultants, or implement difficult or unpopular changes.
None of this required that I be popular or play favorites. There was one common trait. Failure was not acceptable. People’s livelihoods and well-being, jobs, and businesses were at stake.
As a volunteer, preparing boys to be men and going into the wilderness with them, sometimes many miles from “civilization” with no phone connections was not for the unskilled or undisciplined. Not all parents were aligned in this.
I became a board member of a large HOA in the aftermath of the banking crisis of 2008. The board was 50% social club and 50% disdainful of owners. It was a constant power struggle for them. Unit sales had plummeted; there were bankruptcies and foreclosures. Some on that board insisted to owners that if I were elected, I would raise fees above the customary, annual 5-10%. Nails were driven into the sidewalls of two of the tires of one of my automobiles. I persisted and desperate owners elected me, but it took some parliamentary maneuvering to get me on that board. The social clubbing was to end, and the board was to get down to work. I immediately took charge including expanding the monthly newsletter, preparing a reserve study, etc. It is said that everything can be accomplished in communications. I re-organized the board; under intense scrutiny and pressure some left. It was simple; be a fiduciary or leave. Some had made serious mistakes not consistent with their fiduciary duties; I used that to force change. Period.
It took me eight years to first stabilize and then transform that property, recruit a functional board, etc. Annual fee increases over that period fell to 0 to 3%. At the end of my tenure we had a 30 year viable reserve study, ample reserves, we’d caught up on all capital projects, etc. Property values were up and sales were hot (in the most recent two years selling prices are up 25%, and few units are available for sale).
In my endeavors I aways attempted to train others but good luck with that! It has been my operative philosophy that we are to be of service to others, in partnership. I practiced leadership by example. These are very difficult concepts for many to grasp and even fewer to master.
No, I don’t miss them, but for a very few with whom I was in partnership over the years.