Keep Working?
To retire or not to retire?
Studies show that people who keep working well into their 70s and beyond tend to have better health and stay more socially connected. 
But its tough to parse out whether healthy people tend to keep working or whether work tends to keep us healthy.
What do you think?
What kind of work would you like to do after retirement or if you are retired and like to share what are you doing?
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What do you think? I have always believed I would retire at 70, when SS and my union benefits are at their max. However, I don't know if I really want to drive an hour and a half through increasingly heavy traffic to do that. In addition, I now have a woman that I would like to spend the rest of my years with. I am thinking more like 67 years old to retire now.
What kind of work would you like to do after retirement or if you are retired and like to share what are you doing? The only "work" I have even considered after retirement would be working in a music store. I am pretty sure I could do that with my eyes closed.
@Offmytrack
Going through heavy traffic with all the stress related to it is not something nice and most of us would try to avoid it. Sometimes having less means getting more, like more life. Glad to hear that you have a partner to enjoy your life.
Working in a music store sounds fun
I
@Zengrl
Zen, great ways to keep fit in mind. I think that when retiring it's important that the brain still gets worked to stay fit, learning something new helps in that way but also makes us feel proud about ourselves.
@amiablePeace77 Have to first make it into school 😉
@Zengrl
You got this 
@amiablePeace77 I planned for 2 years before I retired to determine what I would do. I added yoga and Tai Chi and support groups and of course 7cups. So when I retired there was already a new life waiting for me.
@soulsings
Soul, I like that planning, particularly the things you have chosen. some people go into retirement and end up not having anything to do, get bored and at the end eventually unhappy about the situation and often they would have so much to give.
@amiablePeace77 thanks for your reassuring words.
I really have no clue what retirement will look like. I put so much effort into just getting to the point of being able to work again after years off while trying to manage my health issues better.
@AffyAvo they say retirement is a second career so maybe managing your challenges will allow you to have a second career.
@AffyAvo
Affy, that's already a lot to deal with. It's not easy to get back to work after a longer break. I hope you are finding happiness and passion with what you do, makes it a lot easier.
Once upon a time...
I went bonkers, crazy..
I bought a backpack and was going to hit the road Hobo/Homeless style. I confided in a friend my intent.... and as a friend should: laughed at my intent to act out. They told me I only entertained it because when I was done with the crazy, I had a life to return to... but? But? I practiced?
When I retire? I am fully willing to embrace a crazy Hobo lifestyle..... am I really, now? Maybe? I do own the backpack and I am not shy to ask a stranger for a dollar.... If I can I will continue to work, I need distraction surrounding me and a problem to solve.
@PeterJC
Hi Peter, thanks for checking in. Sounds like you came to a fork road and that must have been stressful.
Hope you can continue work as long as you like. Would finding meaning be a problem to solve?
@PeterJC I have owned and used a backpack earlier in life but as I age I find other transportation suits my legs better.
I was reminded of this teaching story
A teaching story tells of a man who prayed continually for the awareness to succeed in life. Then one night he dreamed of going into the forest to attain understanding. The next morning he went into the woods and wandered for several hours looking for some sign that would provide answers. When he finally stopped to rest, he saw a fox with no legs lying between two rocks in a cool place. Curious as to how a legless fox could survive, he waited until sunset when he observed a lion come and lay meat before the fox. Ah, I understand, the man thought. The secret to success in life is to trust that Life will take care of all my needs. I dont need to provide for myself. All I have to do is totally surrender to Life. Two weeks later, weakened and starving, the man had another dream. In it he heard a voice say, Oh unwise man. Be like the lion, not like the fox.
I think we spend most of our lives being like the fox but at any moment we can awaken to the inner lion within us.
@soulsings
how wonderful!
@soulsings
Thank you so much for sharing this insightful story.
