tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post1988691302106642429..comments2023-11-05T02:39:52.642-08:00Comments on Dr Sock Writes Here: Wrote the Letter; Set the DateDr Sock http://www.blogger.com/profile/13378594360241846301noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-68702924915673944442017-03-02T22:59:46.268-08:002017-03-02T22:59:46.268-08:00Liesbet, I like the idiom of "cutting the rop...Liesbet, I like the idiom of "cutting the rope." Somehow, that seems like a more accurate description than "taking the plunge." Yes, it does help, psychologically, to be able to maintain some ties and possible work options.... just in case. I can imagine that it was a big decision for you to officially resign from your teaching job. Yet, I suppose in some ways, it is important for a person to ackowledge that their life has moved on to new and different things.<br /><br />Back to taking a plunge -- when I go swimming, I am the person who inches into the water bit by bit, rather than diving straight in. But then, our lakes are pretty cold in Canada.Dr Sock https://www.blogger.com/profile/13378594360241846301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-15680354509542501922017-03-02T13:53:48.934-08:002017-03-02T13:53:48.934-08:00So glad you made the decision and can now "go...So glad you made the decision and can now "go for it" all the way. I hear you about the time of indecision and can imagine the relief after making the plunge ("cutting the rope" in Dutch). On the other hand, it is nice to have some options, like keeping the office or the possibility to accept contracts. Even if you never use it, it will feel better mentally. When I left Belgium indefinitely, I could go back to my teaching job for ten years. It felt nice to have that in the back of my head, since I had always loved the job. After ten years, I officially "resigned", and while I knew I would probably never go back, it still felt like a big thing to cut all my ties.Liesbethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13402741679152508367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-78143237957920633212017-02-26T22:43:10.716-08:002017-02-26T22:43:10.716-08:00Thank-you Jeffrey! I have to tell you that your bl...Thank-you Jeffrey! I have to tell you that your blog that you with your amazing plain air paintings was one of things that first set my mind to musing about possibly retiring. Once I retire, I'll have more time for art!Dr Sock https://www.blogger.com/profile/13378594360241846301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-42160442563346250792017-02-26T06:59:58.144-08:002017-02-26T06:59:58.144-08:00Congratulations Jude...now for the rest of your li...Congratulations Jude...now for the rest of your life =8-})<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />JeffreyJeffrey J. Boron https://www.blogger.com/profile/03911857227885778381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-4053579734983257612017-01-29T05:59:00.032-08:002017-01-29T05:59:00.032-08:00Terrific Jude! And yes, a virtual celebration it w...Terrific Jude! And yes, a virtual celebration it will be!Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-7650972670575744552017-01-28T21:29:28.151-08:002017-01-28T21:29:28.151-08:00Donna, I am doing a happy dance! Whoo-hoo, it'...Donna, I am doing a happy dance! Whoo-hoo, it's really happening!<br /><br />Maybe you're right about the bet. I really can't recall any time in my life that I lacked for things to do, so I guess there's no reason to start now. I'll just have a lot more time and freedom to choose what to do instead of having to spend my time doing what a place of employment requires me to do.Dr Sock https://www.blogger.com/profile/13378594360241846301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-30007910237692711762017-01-28T21:23:26.657-08:002017-01-28T21:23:26.657-08:00Carole, thanks for your kind words. Letting go of ...Carole, thanks for your kind words. Letting go of my work identity has been a struggle as for so long I have been focused on what I am leaving behind. But now that the switch has been flipped, I'm getting excited about all the possibilities that the future holds. I just have to make sure that I don't somehow, by default, end up spending all my time as a couch potato!Dr Sock https://www.blogger.com/profile/13378594360241846301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-35843753500449922582017-01-28T21:17:47.851-08:002017-01-28T21:17:47.851-08:00Thanks Vicki! I need to tell you that the decision...Thanks Vicki! I need to tell you that the decision-making strategies that you have written about on your blog were very helpful to me as I worked my way through my retirement decision. Wow, wouldn't that be cool if we both retire the same month! We'll have to have a virtual celebration. <br /><br />And in answer to your question, I would be honoured if you shared my post with your other readers. I know that reading about others' retirement processes has helped me, so hopefully my experience might be helpful to others. Dr Sock https://www.blogger.com/profile/13378594360241846301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-37435592808831552392017-01-28T17:48:02.690-08:002017-01-28T17:48:02.690-08:00Congratulations, Jude. I am so happy for you! Some...Congratulations, Jude. I am so happy for you! Somehow I don't think that you will have even one moment in your retirement when you "can't figure out what to do with yourself". Yup, it's a bet!retirementreflectionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03256842249783275416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-39709315249110186542017-01-28T04:19:51.139-08:002017-01-28T04:19:51.139-08:00So happy for you Jude! Welcome to The Rest of Your...So happy for you Jude! Welcome to The Rest of Your Life! You are young and healthy and have many opportunities ahead of you. Savor the moment. Enjoy the process of developing a flow that will be the new you. Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137356124184306084.post-37786148427419608592017-01-28T03:11:22.463-08:002017-01-28T03:11:22.463-08:00Congratulations Jude! Thank you so much for sharin...Congratulations Jude! Thank you so much for sharing your story. There is a lot of power in your words and the process (torture!) you went through to get to sending that letter. I especially connected to that "weight" being lifted. We also have very similar work ethics, so I definitely see how this process needed to play itself out. I am hoping to be able to join you on June 30th in "retiring" too. I will still need to keep a small online job (to continue earning retirement system credit) until I can officially retire in 5 years to collect my pension. But I want to be able to choose what I do in terms of work and consulting, rather than have a set schedule as I have right now. If you would be willing, I'd love to share this post with my other readers! Vickinoreply@blogger.com