There can be tax consequences

That said- find something you feel good about doing and do that.

My retirement wasn't exactly planned, more like thrust upon me, and tho I do have family, some nearby and some not so much, I'm sorry I'm not still actually working. It is a big adjustment. Do your best to find something(s) with which to occupy your time.

If you don't, you won't have a clue what to do with yourself. So do other things besides your job.

Many years ago I tended to define myself by my job. Then I started doing some volunteer work (I became a docent at the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian) and boy, did I change. Two things happened. The first was that I understood I was NOT my job. I was a person who did that job. And then I went back to school, and remained in school for the next three decades, on and off. Wow.

Fast forward, somewhat, to my own retirement. I left work almost exactly two years ago, and this evening by lovely coincidence I ran into a former co-worker whom I had not seen since then. Her first comment was how happy I seemed. How nice was that.

I write, I travel, I hang out with friends. I've actually done a trivial amount of temp work, but since I hate getting up before about 10am, that's a bit tricky.

Anyway, it does sound as if you're thinking about it in a very good way, making the kind of changes you need to make. Good for you.

With that said, I was free (yes, FREE) for a year and a half, then I just got talked into going back to work for a friend. Part time, but it has reminded me of all the things that suck about working. Stress that I have not felt since leaving the workforce. Having to be there at a set time and stay until a set time. Alarm clocks. The list is long for me.

After I retired, I kept asking myself how I found the time to get everything done, and now I realize...I didn't get everything done. I don't cook as much and end up coming home and fixing a hot dog. I almost killed my plants because I forgot when to water them. I am not sleeping as well. I don't feel as if I get relaxing time. I had to give up walking dogs at a rescue. The list of things not getting done (or not getting done well) is also long.

But, if you don't think that it would be wonderful to be free from all the restrictions from working, you don't have to retire. Keep working if you want to. Just because you get to a certain age, that doesn't mean that you are required to stop working. But I bet that you will find it enjoyable if you get your mind in the right place.

Never regretted it. I keep busy with a few activities. Officer in a retiree chapter, involve in local politics, fill time with genealogy, and database applications or computer related interests.

I save about 30 gallons of gas a month. I don't eat out as much. It is easier to eat at home and save time and money. I don't have to get up early in the morning to go to work. I absolutely do not miss it.

For some their job is their identity. So if that is the case you need to invent a new identity that makes you happy.