I retired just before turning 54, from a busy, demanding and responsible job… a few months before COVID. Not ideal, but it made the transition bed in. Retiring was a positive choice though (for a number of reasons), and I finished work with pride and satisfaction.
My experience, and of people I know, makes me suggest you finish work with some plan, but not for every hour of every day. I took on a significant volunteering role that importantly is totally different to my job and is a new challenge, has responsibility and complexity and is also alongside new and interesting people. It takes up maybe 2 days a week, but it is flexible. I think it has been important that it makes me feel useful and relevant. I also became a charity trustee and various other bits and pieces as well as enjoying days of exercise, cooking and sometimes doing very little without any guilt. I spend quality time with my wife, not just when we are both knackered.
As for my old colleagues, well I do miss the feeling of being part of that team but you keep in touch with the ones that are really your friends
So value the skills you have and if you want to their are ways of giving back that can be richly rewarding, but aren’t work. Keep the brain busy as well as the body. Retirement can be the start of good things, new things, not just an end.
Bruce (retd GP)
by the way there is a vast thread on this in the Forum from '21