Looking for the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Retirement. Update/ GOOD NEWS!!!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Since Dk has been a big part of my life for the past 6 years, I've decided to reach out to all you dear people who are living the retired life to share some insight into what retirement looks like to you now.
I just turned 60, have a fabulous job, work 3 days, 11 hours per day, work with wonderful staff and new mommies and babies. I make what many would consider very good income. My work days are long and demanding and challenging, both mentally and physically as I probably walk an average of 5-6 miles a day throughout the unit, and am standing a good part of the day as well.

BUT, I am just tired. Tired of the committment, tired of the responsiblity, tired of all the requirements of hospital employment. Tired of being gone 3 whole long days a week. I leave at 6:30am and not home til 6:30 pm and just come home and go to bed because it's such a long mentally draining day. (I am also up everymorning at 4:20 to go to Crossfit at 5:00 before work)
I love, love , love staying home. I have always been a home body and have many hobbies and activities to be as busy as I want to be. First and foremost, I have two amazing grandchildren that I see and have hours and hours of playtime with at least 1-2 times a week, However, I just feel like I am missing out on more with them.
And the finanical loss would be considerate, but it would certainly not send us to the Food Stamp line or buying Purina.
When is it enough? When did you decide and what helped you make up your mind? Does anyone have any regrets or wish they had stayed employed longer? I would very much appreciate your thoughts and feelings about this, as I am just making myself miserable with indecision. Thanks in advance.

update:
After so much great input from everyone here and discussing this with DH and family, we have our sights set for this Oct. I feel such a sense of relief and that sense of dread on the mornings of work is greatly lessened. Still there tho. Find myself wishing it was Oct already. We are preparing financially and it's looking very do-able with some minor adjustments, but nothing earth shattering. I am as frugal as they come, so my spending habits won't change. I always said I'd still be looking for coupons and sales even if I won a HUGE lottery. Just in my blood I guess. Thank you to everyone who replied as your input was valuable and all taken into consideration in this decision. You are all just such a kind and generous group of friends.

GOOD NEWS!!!!! I will be very busy in retirement. We have grandbaby #3 on the way!!!!! Due in Feb. Wanted to share that with my Dk family. thanks

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

This is so great.  I have not had a boring day in the seven years since I retired and I bet you won't have any of those either!  I wished I had some little grandkids, but alas I only have two - my grandson just got married and lives in Canada and my granddaughter is in her 2nd year at UNLV!  Time does fly - seems like just yesterday I was rocking them!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Your post is exactly why I feel an urgency in being there for them now while they are so little. Time does fly so quickly and they already don't want to be rocked anymore!!! At least they still want to sleep with gammie!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Congratultions, Sue! Giving yourself a few months to process the change. I'm so happy for you. With your children and grandchildren nearby you will have plenty to do. ;o)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I think so too. It's not everyone who is blessed to have both their children AND all their grandchildren within 5 miles of them. So I am going to enjoy my gifts as much as I can.....

[Gail and Bailey]

Congratulations!  Enjoy!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you !!! Enjoy is the operative word. :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

I'm sure you will find retirement the same joy that we all  have.  Good idea to give a few months to adjust (for everyone).  You are definitely going to love it!  Congratulations.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Good for you!  I wish I could say I am right behind you, but not quite! 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you Lori, it's a big leap of faith for me. But everyones honesty has helped me alleviate some of the fears, such as regret or being bored. And i thought I had 18 more months, so you never know what might change to make it sooner for you too.

[Kathryn digregorio]

Hi Sue, Murphy and Bella,

Congratulations on your decision.  I was older than you when I retired, and love it.  Am single with one Labradoodle.  The beauty is you do as you would like with no stress, no have to do it etc.  However, let me warn you, especially coming from a nursing background, it is an adjustment to settle down, took me a good year.  Enjoy and keep us updated.

Kate and Breezy

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Kate it's funny you should say this because now that the decision is made and the mental adjustment to the financial aspect is resolved, I have begone to think of that aspect as well. How do you stop being a nurse? How do I stop taking care of mommy's and babies? How do I adjust to not trying to constantly juggle 10 things in the air 12 hours a day ?
I think the mommy and baby thing will be ok for awhile as my daughter is trying to have her second baby now, but I can see what you mean. Some adjustment will take time as some of it will feel like post traumatic stress and some will feel like I must be forgetting to do something!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sue, I really thought that I would miss teaching, the kids, having so much of my life scheduled.  And oddly enough, I haven't missed it at all.  I thought I would be volunteering at school so I could read with kids, etc.  I didn't.   I have recently gone back for a 49 day contract - of which I spend 2 1/2 hours at school 3 days a week and I have really enjoyed it.  The teacher really, really wants me to come back next year and repeat, but there is NO way in this lifetime that I enjoyed tying myself down that much and repeating it.  While I might enjoy going in for 1 day a couple of times a month perhaps, but I really just feel retired from the whole education thing and would rather rescue dogs.