Are you being wasted

I have lots of technical expertise in various trades and friends and neighbours, even the local school keep coming for advice or help so I dont feel like my talents are being wasted.

I have a friend who is a joiner by trade, ran his own business and since he retired he has only used his talents on a couple of occasions.

Since you retired (if you are) do you feel that any talents that you have are being wasted?

Re: Are you being wasted

As my wife is eight years older than me I retired early by choice to do things with her before the time was lost to us. In the first year or so of retirement I turned down requests for consultancy work for that reason and the requests petered out after that, and to be honest since I retired I haven't really felt that I wanted to go back to using my lifetime's knowledge, I've put enough years in. Having said that, if any of my grandkids or family needed to know anything that I knew, then I would be happy to spend the time with them. Other than that I don't feel that I owe the world anything else.

Re: Are you being wasted

Although (compulsory) retired from paid employment for some years, I was a founder member of a (voluntary) Law Centre and still continue to provide representation at Tribunals even to this day, notwitstanding the local Council forced the closure of the Law Centre more than 15 years ago.

Re: Are you being wasted

Since I retired I still keep my hand in, so to speak, I give at least two teaching sessions per year on the traditional way to make handmade jewellery. I am also available to make special one off pieces for very good friends and family members only. I also do some repair work for neighbours who can't get it done in town, or it is too expensive for them to have done, the only thing I charge for is the materials.
So the answer is no, my time is not wasted, except when I feel too lazy to do anything at all.

Re: Are you being wasted

Yup im totally wasted in this world lol For what i'm unsure but there must be something

Re: Are you being wasted

No. Over-used if anything.

Re: Are you being wasted

Well I spend at least six months of the year in mainland Europe so would have a problem passing on any knowledge because of the language. Plus in Czechland people never ask for advice - they think they know it all anyway

I work over the internet now, when I need to, and that keeps my mind active and only leaves time for my hobbies.

Re: Are you being wasted

I know how you feel!!
I took early retirement in July 2007 - ostensibly to look after my disabled wife. In February 2007 we had started a Breed Specific Rescue for Siberian Huskies which is now a national organisation with some 100 volunteers. So, far having a "wasted" retirement, we never seem to stop and since I retired, I don't even get weekends off!!!!!!
I'm even more busy at the moment as my wife had a serious knee operation three weeks ago and is still unable to walk more than a few steps.
I dream of a "wasted" retirement.................. (actually I don't - I've never been happier!

Mick

Re: Are you being wasted

Mick my friend, I know how your wife feels - have had BOTH knees replaced with metal implants - whilst a lot easier now, I still have some pain and my knees are good barometers to forecast cold and/or wet weather.

Re: Are you being wasted

I feel I have a fair amount of knowledge in photography and computers. I've been working at these got a very long time. I also have a lot of experience as a teacher. Mybproblem comes from my government controlling education so tightly that I'm not permitted because I don't have a degree. Shoot, I was a computer guru before they invented degrees in personal computing. I had to learn it all the hard way.

I also would love to teach photography & Photoshop graphics software. Again, I'm self taught with no degree. I must admit I feel my talents and passions are wasted.