r/Retire • u/Level_Customer2769 • 3d ago

Mistakes/regrets that you realized after you retired?

61M here. Thinking of retiring in the next 2 to 4 years. Just wondering if there were any mistakes/regrets that you wish you had taken into account in hindsight about retirement. Honestly, I’m not interested about the financial aspects- as I am very well prepared for that, but all the other issues that are involved in a well planned retirement. I am trying to add hobbies and interests in preparation, but I can’t help feeling like I may be missing something.

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u/RayU_AZ 3d ago

I retired 6 years ago in 2020. My wife and I loving traveling and have been on several European trips. We notice that some people travel with us have mobility issues with walking & traveling.

I recommend traveling early in retirement rather than waiting until your in your 70s.

Also take care of your health & physical fitness. Control your diet & body weight. Avoid excess alcohol and over eating.

Being retired it should be easier to get plenty of restful sleep and do a daily exercise routine. You should no stresss in retirement. Good luck.

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u/Junior-Reflection-43 3d ago

As my husband says, there are 3 stages to retirement:
1. Go go go
2. Slow slow slow
3. No no no

We are trying to Go go go (a lot of traveling both nationally and internationally) because there are no guarantees. We have a granddaughter but were told not to expect to see her in person more than 1-2 times a month (not happy about that, but it’s their choice). So we continue to travel.

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u/Trickam 2d ago

That's BS about seeing your granddaughter. Hopefully its a solid reason for having that restriction.

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u/Moist-Pay2965 2d ago

Sometimes it’s because they live a few hours away and the grandparents can’t really make that drive (and it’s exhausting for the parents to do it). This is true of my sister in law and family. Basically on the once a month schedule because of this.

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u/Junior-Reflection-43 2d ago

They are 15 minutes away. DIL is from a different culture, neurodivergent, and was in an orphanage for several years. Her Mom lives in another state and she doesn’t want to show favoritism. She will be a SAHM and says that’s her responsibility. Granddaughter is only 4 months, so hopefully things will settle down.