19.12.2024 - Career
A nice relaxing time in retirement and nothing else? Not me! Granted, I’m already 65 years old, but I’m still going strong. I laugh, I learn and I like to do new things. When I retired from WEPA in August 2023 after 42 years of work I immediately threw myself into the next challenge: my older son was building a new house and the younger one was moving into a new house as well, so I was completely involved in the role of the “handyman dad”.
After a few months though, these projects were finished and my wife still had a few years to her retirement. I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing either and there was a risk that I’d also turn our own house topsy turvy, much to my wife’s chagrin. So I made an unexpected decision: I'll go back to work.
I started again on 1 January 2024, and I’ve been part of the team at WEPA in Giershagen since that date. Just a few days a month, nice and flexible, exactly as it suits me. So I decide for myself when I work, and they make sure that the physical side stays moderate – I lend a sturdy hand, but at 65 years old I no longer have to do every strong man’s job. Because of my many years of experience I can also help out in several different areas and roles, so that makes even the few shifts a month all the more varied.
Why could I recommend this to everyone? It keeps you both physically fit and mentally alert! Thanks to the work I can regularly exchange ideas with colleagues of different ages on a wide variety of topics. And to be honest – who doesn’t like to feel wanted? When I come to work I know: I am needed, and I know that people are looking forward to seeing me. A little pocket money is also welcome of course, but I’m more interested in the change of scene than the money. And even after all these years there’s still things to learn.
In any case, I’ve found the perfect way for me to turn retirement into an active and fulfilling phase of life rather than a rest period – with exercise, coming together with people and, simply, a good feeling.