@sneakypete
I know the type. These are people interested in power and dominance. And as you say, they define their self-worth by their job and title. The best example of this is politicians who literally stay in office until they are dead. People work 20-30 years to get to a certain status and position and then suddenly it is all just gone. They suddenly become just another old man walking around Home Depot because they have nothing better to do.
I'm much happier doing what I want to do, when I want to do it, and taking it easy.
@240B I am sure you are right for many people,but there are others who just flat love working,and are lost without something to do. My father was that way.
Even after he officially "retired" when he went on SS because 62 is too old to be swinging a hammer with the 20 year olds,putting on roofs,etc,etc,etc.
He still kept busy for a few years building boats to sell,raising goats,trapping,etc,etc,etc,but then he started having heart attacks,and spent the last couple of years sitting inside a house and bored out of his mind.
I thought I would handle retirement well when I was working,but after finally getting a good-paying job with paid vacation time,I finally had so many retirement days on the books they told me I either took some vacation time or lose it,so I took two weeks,
By the second week I was looking in the help wanted adds to try to pick up a part-time laborer job for a week so I would have something to do.
When I was forced into retirement a few years later due to Agent Orange deciding to pay me a visit again,I thought I was going to go nuts. Remember,this was back in the stone age before computers,sat dishes,etc,etc,etc. My tv had the ability to pick up 4 channels,and I had no interest in watching most of what came on any of them.
So I had a 1800 sq ft workshop put up,and started buying beater antique cars and tools. Not much danger of me running out of stuff to do anymore. Getting ready to put my 37 Dodge 1 ton 4X4 up for sale this spring,and will use that money to get my shop sprayed with insulation so I can keep it cool enough in the summer and warm enough in the winter to stand working in there. Been having to work nights in the summer and days on the warmer winter days,but that's frustrating. Especially since I now have a 10x20 "office" built inside with wi fi,tv,computer,refrigerator,microwave,hammock,toilet,and a handicapped shower with hot water. Truth to tell,I like it better out there than I do in the house.
