justthisbloke Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Well, I'm a few weeks into life as scum-of-the-earth work-dodger. And, I'm afraid, I have to report that I've taken to it like a tramp to cheap cider. I've been getting up when I feel like it. Which, funnily enough, is at exactly the same time as when I had to be in the office. But why would I want to lie in bed and squander a minute of the day that's now all my own? I've not done it yet but, if I need some shuteye, I'll revert back to my school and student habit of siestas. Summer's coming so maybe I'll get a hammock. I've done a lot in the garden and my veg patch is almost ready to receive this year's crops. Found lots of new muscles to ache. I've done a fair bit of cycling - but the weather's been a bit offputting really. But who cares - there's always tomorrow, or the day after. And I'm learning to cook for the first time in my life. To my astonishment, it seems to work - and no one's died yet. But there's so much more to do. But so much time in which to do it. I'll let you know if boredom sets in and I'm hammering at the door of the job centre in six month's time. Or if Brexit causes a stock market apocalypse and drives me back into the office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hovis Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Good on you, sounds great. I will be awaiting updates for the November - February period; that range of months has twice pushed me back to work because I struggled to fill my time when I was mostly stuck indoors all day. When it's cold, wet and dark working in an office does have an appeal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wish I could afford one Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Well, I'm a few weeks into life as scum-of-the-earth work-dodger. And, I'm afraid, I have to report that I've taken to it like a tramp to cheap cider. I've been getting up when I feel like it. Which, funnily enough, is at exactly the same time as when I had to be in the office. But why would I want to lie in bed and squander a minute of the day that's now all my own? I've not done it yet but, if I need some shuteye, I'll revert back to my school and student habit of siestas. Summer's coming so maybe I'll get a hammock. I've done a lot in the garden and my veg patch is almost ready to receive this year's crops. Found lots of new muscles to ache. I've done a fair bit of cycling - but the weather's been a bit offputting really. But who cares - there's always tomorrow, or the day after. And I'm learning to cook for the first time in my life. To my astonishment, it seems to work - and no one's died yet. But there's so much more to do. But so much time in which to do it. I'll let you know if boredom sets in and I'm hammering at the door of the job centre in six month's time. Or if Brexit causes a stock market apocalypse and drives me back into the office. Many congratulations JTB. I'm about one year behind you. Would be interested to know if you're thinking of any major life changes now that the work pressures are abating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattW Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Wouldn't mind the life of Riley myself when or if my net worth increases to a high enough level that can sustain me. Although my current job is pretty good, I've always been a 'square peg' in a round hole of working 9 to 5. Edit: square peg - NOT pet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 You will go mad with "cabin fever". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
council dweller Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Well, I`ve been retired almost 3 years now and it`s truly great ! All you have to do is exercise (3 or 4 days a week) and keep your weight down. (71kg /6ft) Piece of cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 I particularly like your mix of metric and imperial. I am 70kg/1,81m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfk Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 good for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
council dweller Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Yes it`s living in japan what does it. (15 years) I completely remember ft. and inches but have forgotten pounds ...and whatever. And the EEC has a lot to answer for ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 good for you! Luckily, I'm no fat b8stard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justthisbloke Posted March 5, 2016 Author Share Posted March 5, 2016 Many congratulations JTB. I'm about one year behind you. Would be interested to know if you're thinking of any major life changes now that the work pressures are abating? No plans for anything right now. That's something I'm being firm about. I've spent 25 years drawing up and implementing various plans, projects, deliverables, and programmes. For six months at least, I'm planning nothing. I'm taking each day as it comes. I've got a holiday booked (well, the flight's booked - I'll sort the rest when I get in-country). I don't travel much (done enough of that with a suit on for biz) so this is quite a "life change" even if it's just a fortnight. In the short term, I've got some cycle-touring ideas that may come to fruition. And there are all the previously omitted hygeine factors of life: cooking, walking every day, fishing, gardening, etc. In the longer term, Mrs JTB may decide to follow my lead (she works about 50% of the time). That's when we'll think about buying a boat and sailing the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Don't you live spectacularly inland for a boat trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wish I could afford one Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 No plans for anything right now. That's something I'm being firm about. I've spent 25 years drawing up and implementing various plans, projects, deliverables, and programmes. For six months at least, I'm planning nothing. I'm taking each day as it comes. I've got a holiday booked (well, the flight's booked - I'll sort the rest when I get in-country). I don't travel much (done enough of that with a suit on for biz) so this is quite a "life change" even if it's just a fortnight. In the short term, I've got some cycle-touring ideas that may come to fruition. And there are all the previously omitted hygeine factors of life: cooking, walking every day, fishing, gardening, etc. In the longer term, Mrs JTB may decide to follow my lead (she works about 50% of the time). That's when we'll think about buying a boat and sailing the world. Great response. I'm planning something similar for at least the first 6 months also. I'm calling it decompression. The only difference is I'll be leaving the South East for sunnier climes but will be buying nothing until I learn who I am again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workingpoor Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 2 years and 1 month here (after redundancy) you won't get cabin fever if you go out every other day and keep a tv or radio on lol Seriously though it's been great i'm getting through the winter swimming at the local pool 2hr lane swims 3 times a week. I agree with the decopression thing and finding out who you are again etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Banner Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 I retired eight years ago and I wouldn't go back to work if you paid me . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Democorruptcy Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 It's another thread that made me think of an HPC Co-Housing project. With housing costs shared and other living costs cheaper, probably somewhere abroad, more people could afford to reduce hours worked or pack it in completely. I don't qualify as retired, even though I haven't worked for anyone for 13 years. I make a little money from home, it's something to try ward off the cabin fever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workingpoor Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 It's another thread that made me think of an HPC Co-Housing project. With housing costs shared and other living costs cheaper, probably somewhere abroad, more people could afford to reduce hours worked or pack it in completely. I don't qualify as retired, even though I haven't worked for anyone for 13 years. I make a little money from home, it's something to try ward off the cabin fever. I'm in for HPC C0-Housing project how about the Algarve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wish I could afford one Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 I'm in for HPC C0-Housing project how about the Algarve? I'm more up for the Valencia region of Spain, Gozo/Northern Malta or the hills behind Paphos in Cyprus. Can't see it working though. A whole pile of HPC'ers living frugally close to each other would surely send the local commercial centre broke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 I'm in for HPC C0-Housing project how about the Algarve? Can I have bees? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Can I have bees? What fun are they? They are just hairy flies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wish I could afford one Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Can I have bees? I'll trade you some of my freshly grown veg for some tasty honey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wish I could afford one Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Excellent observation. I think it does take a bit of time to shake off some of those conformities you need to adopt to remain sane at work. It was the least of the things I was expecting because obviously we all think of ourselves as independently minded, mavericks even. The best thing is simply getting your brain back. To not have to think about how to make someone else better off, renting one's mind out for decades. I'm looking forward to it. I do know that the current me is not the real me but I'm I'm not sure what that real me actually looks like yet. To be successful in the work environment I have definitely had to adapt and change to be successful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 What fun are they? They are just hairy flies. Oh they are just the most amazing creatures. this bloke is interesting to watch. (the sound is better than on some other videos) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freeholder Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 I particularly like your mix of metric and imperial. I am 70kg/1,81m. 10st 12lb 3.88cubits me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justthisbloke Posted March 5, 2016 Author Share Posted March 5, 2016 Wouldn't mind the life of Riley myself when or if my net worth increases to a high enough level that can sustain me. Although my current job is pretty good, I've always been a 'square peg' in a round hole of working 9 to 5. Edit: square peg - NOT pet! If you're following WICAO's recipe, you won't go too far wrong. My story is not dissimilar. Although, of course, future chapters and the ending are unknown. Beware of the "pretty good" job. I had a pretty very good job. It's Hotel California - so comfortable, it's easy to never leave. For me, from Day 1 it was a bit of a trap - a star job, my peers would have killed for. It was all you look for in a job: challenging, loads of responsibility, varied. And well paid. But ultimately, I was burning my youthful energies for an employer. And worse, the longer I stayed the more comfortable I became. "Institutionalised" would be too far - but I was certainly heading that way. That said, a pretty good job means an income every month and a lump of cash for the escape fund every month. And a pretty good job is far better than a bloody awful job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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