I don't miss the weight of my career. In fact, most days I'm incredibly grateful to have survived being a nurse for over 26 years. So many of my colleagues were injured on the job. I know of very few nurses my age who haven't had at least some kind of surgery on some part of their body that simply wore out because of the work we did.

I don't miss my friends from work as we've all managed to stay in touch. Perhaps that's a nurse thing - no one else gets us like another nurse. I love having the freedom to visit my family whenever I want to - no more begging/borrowing/stealing to get time off work for a short visit. I love not ever using my alarm clock and waking up (and going to bed) on my own schedule.

I eat better, exercise more, enjoy All. The. Things. that I never found time for when I worked. I discovered my local senior center & take yoga & line dancing classes there every week.

Financially, I made some very good decisions along the way & always lived below my means. Money isn't a concern as long as I don't go crazy. Saying that - I've traded dinners & concerts for an occasional movie & brunch with my friends.

I love being retired. :) But I know I'm an oddity.