--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Retiring was hard. I'd spent 15 years…" description: "\"Retiring was hard. I'd spent 15 years doing something I loved, but when you get older everything seems to go. When I started spending too long with the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/240/daley-thompson-13236_being_retiring-was-hard-i-d-spent-15-years-doi_753545.jpg" --- # Retiring was hard. I'd spent 15 years doing something I… ![“Retiring was hard. I'd spent 15 years doing something I loved, but when you get older everything seems to go. When I started spending too long with the physio and the doctor, I knew it was time to call it a day. But I had no preparation for being retired and I didn't know what to do.” quote by Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/240/daley-thompson-13236_being_retiring-was-hard-i-d-spent-15-years-doi_753545.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/240/daley-thompson-13236_being_retiring-was-hard-i-d-spent-15-years-doi_753545.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/240/daley-thompson-13236_being_retiring-was-hard-i-d-spent-15-years-doi_753545.jpg) > “Retiring was hard. I'd spent 15 years doing something I loved, but when you get older everything seems to go. When I started spending too long with the physio and the doctor, I knew it was time to call it a day. But I had no preparation for being retired and I didn't know what to do.” [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on the abrupt transition from a fulfilling career to retirement, feeling unprepared and uncertain about purpose after leaving a beloved profession. **In simple terms:** Retirement felt sudden and directionless. Key Takeaway Plan for post‑career life early. Themes career transition aging purpose uncertainty life planning Mood reflective somber Type advice personal narrative When to use this quote - career planning - volunteering - learning new skills - seeking mentorship - financial planning Key Concepts identity meaning psychology of retirement Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate purpose after a long career? - What steps can ease the shift into retirement? A Different Perspective Retirement can be mitigated with proactive preparation and support networks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) [Doctors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctors/) [Preparation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preparation/) [Retirement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retirement/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Retiring can be hard but it's nice to be in a position where I can run and feel liberated doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-lewis/retiring-can-be-hard-but-it-s-nice-to-be-in-a-position-where-i-can/) [Denise Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-lewis/) > [I gave my last concert in 1976. For 32 years, I had given everything I had. I wanted to stop. My last big debut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renata-tebaldi/i-gave-my-last-concert-in-1976-for-32-years-i-had-given-everything-i/) [Renata Tebaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renata-tebaldi/) > [Even when I retired, there was part of me that didn't want to retire. But once you decide it's time to move on then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elway/even-when-i-retired-there-was-part-of-me-that-didn-t-want-to-retire/) [John Elway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elway/) > [The support is absolutely crucial. If you have the right people helping you in the lead up to a major event, then you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hoy/the-support-is-absolutely-crucial-if-you-have-the-right-people/) [Chris Hoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hoy/) > [Twenty days ago my physio asked me if I was if I never think that I can win a Grand Slam or be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavia-pennetta/twenty-days-ago-my-physio-asked-me-if-i-was-if-i-never-think-that-i/) Flavia Pennetta > [I train 10 times over six days every week. I also have three gym sessions and four physio sessions so it's a very busy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazmin-carlin/i-train-10-times-over-six-days-every-week-i-also-have-three-gym/) [Jazmin Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazmin-carlin/) > [Physio-philosophy has to show how, and in accordance indeed with what laws, the Material took its origin; and, therefore, how something derived its existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenz-oken/physio-philosophy-has-to-show-how-and-in-accordance-indeed-with-what/) [Lorenz Oken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenz-oken/) > [A lone maple leaf resting on sand Have you ever been out for a late autumn walk in the closing part of the afternoon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/a-lone-maple-leaf-resting-on-sand-have-you-ever-been-out-for-a-late/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [Don't act your age in retirement. Act like the inner young person you have always been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-anthony-west/don-t-act-your-age-in-retirement-act-like-the-inner-young-person-you/) [John Anthony West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-anthony-west/) > [In the higher walks of politics the same sort of thing occurs. The statesman who has gradually concentrated all power within himself ... may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/in-the-higher-walks-of-politics-the-same-sort-of-thing-occurs-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [There's an enormous number of managers who have retired on the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/there-s-an-enormous-number-of-managers-who-have-retired-on-the-job/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [When you retire, you switch bosses - from the one who hired you to the one who married you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/when-you-retire-you-switch-bosses-from-the-one-who-hired-you-to-the/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) > [Retirement: That's when you return from work one day and say, "Hi, Honey, I'm home - forever."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/retirement-that-s-when-you-return-from-work-one-day-and-say-hi-honey/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) > [In my retirement I go for a short swim at least once or twice every day. It's either that or buy a new golf…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/in-my-retirement-i-go-for-a-short-swim-at-least-once-or-twice-every/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) > [Retirement is wonderful. It's doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/retirement-is-wonderful-it-s-doing-nothing-without-worrying-about/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) ## More by Daley Thompson > [When you're walking into the stadium, you just say to yourself, 'the 100m is the same anywhere, the shot put is the same weight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/when-you-re-walking-into-the-stadium-you-just-say-to-yourself-the/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [I did not want to be the best black man of the year; I wanted to be the best man of the year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/i-did-not-want-to-be-the-best-black-man-of-the-year-i-wanted-to-be/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [I'm obsessive. I want to know the answer to how good I am. Most people aren't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/i-m-obsessive-i-want-to-know-the-answer-to-how-good-i-am-most-people/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [I don't even have my own computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/i-don-t-even-have-my-own-computer/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [If you don't want to grow old, then slow down the slowing down process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/if-you-don-t-want-to-grow-old-then-slow-down-the-slowing-down-process/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [The only limitations are mental. The guy who thinks positively will win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/the-only-limitations-are-mental-the-guy-who-thinks-positively-will-win/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [In sport, if you want to be the best you have to compete against the best - I would much rather have come tenth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/in-sport-if-you-want-to-be-the-best-you-have-to-compete-against-the/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [Athletes these days are too robotic. People like to see performances filled with emotion. In my career I tried to be amusing, to differentiate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/athletes-these-days-are-too-robotic-people-like-to-see-performances/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [Kids are starting at such a low base rate in terms of fitness that it's taking them years to catch up to where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/kids-are-starting-at-such-a-low-base-rate-in-terms-of-fitness-that-it/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [“Competition is my life; winning is my only goal”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/competition-is-my-life-winning-is-my-only-goal/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [I'm competitive - that's what defines me - and I love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/i-m-competitive-that-s-what-defines-me-and-i-love-it/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [But if kids take up things like hockey and football they will go back to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/but-if-kids-take-up-things-like-hockey-and-football-they-will-go-back/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [The stopwatch doesn't lie. The tape measure doesn't lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/the-stopwatch-doesn-t-lie-the-tape-measure-doesn-t-lie/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [Sometimes you have to resist working on your strengths in favour of your weaknesses. The decathlon requires a wide range of skills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/sometimes-you-have-to-resist-working-on-your-strengths-in-favour-of/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [Even if you've been involved in a World Cup, the Olympics is huge. Only the Games has the power to change communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/even-if-you-ve-been-involved-in-a-world-cup-the-olympics-is-huge-only/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) [Explore all 51 Daley Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Retiring was hard. I'd spent 15 years doing something I loved, but when you get older everything seems to go. When I started spending too long with the physio and the doctor, I knew it was time to call it a day. 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