For Anyone Retired or No Longer Working

[Lucycat]

After that many years of nursing and you don't have back problems?

Nursing children is less of a risk to your back than nursing adults. However carrying hundreds of toddlers over the years does take its toll. I have a mildly sore back, but nothing that Ibuprofen does not sort!

 

[ladee]

I am a retired private caregiver for Alzheimer's patients. Moving someone fighting you, or unable to help, took its toll. My retirement has been adjusting to what I 'can't' do anymore. Grateful you have few problems with body pains so you can do what you enjoy!!

One of my clients broke my leg. Long story, but needless to say, my work took a toll on my body.

You have a huge heart @Lucycat, working with little ones all those years. Do you miss it?

 

[TruthSeeker]

@The Albatross, I have had to learn to budget to the nickel. I am physically unable to do any outside work anymore. And the things I make I give away. I am on the go less, so less money spent on travel or other expenses.

@Lucycat, I envy your productive energy, in a good way. After that many years of nursing and you don't have back problems? Hope not. And making extra money!! Good on you!

@ladee You have great survival skills. I admire people who can manage their money and survive. That's a really good skill to have and w PTSD, when symptomatic, I have a hard time remembering what got paid, what didn't, oops-bill collector notice (how'd that happen?) but getting better.

 

[ladee]

I have most of my major bills paid online. I deduct that amount from my remaining funds and budget the rest. I have a very small income. But all my needs are met. Granted, it's been a long time since I have been able to buy 'new' clothes. But there are usually always very nice things at yard sales.

New, is highly overrated. I have enough crafts supplies to last me until I die!! :laugh:

I have a roof over my head, food, a bed to sleep in and am content. Sometimes at the end of the month, I have to eat oatmeal or plain pasta. But I still have food.

It's tight. So what. I've lived thru the worst things that can happen. Including a hurricane that took all I had. I know how to start over. As many times as I have to.

Do I get weary from it all? Occasionally. But a good dose of gratitude usually pulls me back together. I'm not a saint or a martyr. I've just learned how to live life. I keep it simple. Works for me.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I have most of my major bills paid online. I deduct that amount from my remaining funds and budget the rest. I have a very small income. But all my needs are met. Granted, it's been a long time since I have been able to buy 'new' clothes. But there are usually always very nice things at yard sales.

New, is highly overrated. I have enough crafts supplies to last me until I die!! :laugh:

I have a roof over my head, food, a bed to sleep in and am content. Sometimes at the end of the month, I have to eat oatmeal or plain pasta. But I still have food.

It's tight. So what. I've lived thru the worst things that can happen. Including a hurricane that took all I had. I know how to start over. As many times as I have to.

Do I get weary from it all? Occasionally. But a good dose of gratitude usually pulls me back together. I'm not a saint or a martyr. I've just learned how to live life. I keep it simple. Works for me.

@ladee Yeah, been buying my new furniture at Restore-they have some lovely old pieces of furniture and stuff for my place. I like yardsales as well. I also pay most of my bills online....keeps things simple. I'm sorry you lost your home in a hurricane. I can't imagine.
You have a positive outlook after everything you've gone through and that's to be admired.

 

[ladee]

Thanks, @Wilbur. I wasn't so positive at the time of the losses from the hurricane. One of the hardest times of my life. Got relocated to where I am now. A long story about being trapped with some of my family in the backwoods of Louisiana. Will only say it took years to get myself together after that experience. Even thinking of it makes me feel anxious.

I guess what I have going for me is knowing how to persevere. Because I was so symptomatic, could not get any mental health help and no one had a clue what I was going thru. Didn't know about this forum then. It may not have been in existence. A long time ago. But I made it thru. Still amazes me.

 

[TruthSeeker]

You are quite resilient! I hope someday to be able to say this about myself. It really hasn't been that long since my more recent family trauma. I never had trauma therapy before so it's helping me move forward. Was skeptical for some time.

 

[ladee]

@Wilbur, I didn't get to have 'trauma therapy' per se. No such thing as I was travelling this part of my journey. Therapy, yes. Dedicated to trauma, no. I would have made better progress. But I wanted to get healthier so so so bad. I simply used what was available. I'm still learning and growing. I haven't 'arrived' anywhere yet.:playful:

There is something to be said for perseverance. For seeking answers along the way. I just did not want 'them' to be right about me. 'unlearning' was the hardest part.

We each can do this. Regardless of our past. Especially in this day of so many options for mental health.

You will get where you want to be. I 'feel' your strength and your own perseverance in your words. You are a very encouraging person. I hope you give that same kindness and thoughtfulness to yourself!
Gentle hugs if you accept.

 

[TruthSeeker]

@Wilbur, I didn't get to have 'trauma therapy' per se. No such thing as I was travelling this part of my journey. Therapy, yes. Dedicated to trauma, no. I would have made better progress. But I wanted to get healthier so so so bad. I simply used what was available. I'm still learning and growing. I haven't 'arrived' anywhere yet.:playful:

There is something to be said for perseverance. For seeking answers along the way. I just did not want 'them' to be right about me. 'unlearning' was the hardest part.

We each can do this. Regardless of our past. Especially in this day of so many options for mental health.

You will get where you want to be. I 'feel' your strength and your own perseverance in your words. You are a very encouraging person. I hope you give that same kindness and thoughtfulness to yourself!
Gentle hugs if you accept.

@ladee Thank you.?

@The Albatross Can you do an at home small business? What are your skills and talents?

 

[The Albatross]

Mostly the reason for posting is the relational aspect from the shift back to not having an income. Still wondering how any of you have successfully navigated that with minimum angst at worst and peace & calm at best?

Still a delicate issue at home.

 

[The Albatross]

@The Albatross Can you do an at home small business? What are your skills and talents?

Average.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Amazon boxed are like Christmas Presents to me.

Yes!!

Retirement- a new stage of childhood- one we paid many years of hard work to attain!

It is! I can do what I want! I can be a kid again!

One of my favorite things to do, is sleep when I want to.

Napping is my best talent!

Still wondering how any of you have successfully navigated that with minimum angst at worst and peace & calm at best?

Nope, lots of angst and loss of identity with loss of being a hospital nurse. I have only now, after 7 years come to peace with the fact that I'm not going to work again. Besides breeding chickens and selling eggs.

new furniture at Restore-they have some lovely old pieces of furniture and stuff for my place.

I love the Restore! I go and browse just to build my collection of "things I might need for a project".

I love sleeping when I want, eating or not when I want, no schedules except for the trash collection and egg customers. I'm not breeding chickens now, will do so again when I move, just have to pick a breed I want. I bred Polish chickens for awhile, and still have 2 Polish roosters, one frizzled, one smooth. Saying that makes me want to breed more, lol. I sold my last 4 awhile ago, and I was going to sell the roosters and hens, but I think I'll breed again. Maybe not. I get to choose since I'm retired!! I love it!!