How did it feel when you left work for the last time?

[Gone Fishing]

I still remember the feeling I got every year when I left school on the last day before summer.  The sheer freedom to do whatever I wanted for 3 months give or take.  I imagine my last day of work will be similar, about like getting out of prison!  How did it feel when you walked off the job?  Did you get the rush of freedom? Disbelief?  WTF did I do?   

[AlanStache]

On my last day I would like to bring in a small fisher price plastic table, place it by the front door then jokingly yelling "No you cant fire me I quit, and FU I am out of here"-flip table the table over and walk out the door with massive smile.

[Jon_Snow]

SURREAL.

[deborah]

Didn't sink in for a few weeks.

[arebelspy]

I still remember the feeling I got every year when I left school on the last day before summer.  The sheer freedom to do whatever I wanted for 3 months give or take.  I imagine my last day of work will be similar, about like getting out of prison!  How did it feel when you walked off the job?  Did you get the rush of freedom? Disbelief?  WTF did I do?   

As a teacher, I still experience that every summer (though I typically go back for summer school).  I expect to feel the same when I'm done for good as done for the year: a sense of relief/accomplishment and some freedom ahead.

This feeling (1:55-2:08):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPpJ37LsYtI#t=115

[Financial.Velociraptor]

SURREAL.

Mine was surreal too.  A little bit of disbelief.  Quite a lot of nervousness.  A tinge of "you fuckers" because after almost a decade of trusting me with the P&L and balance sheet and having me on the insider roster, they had me escorted out the front door like I was maybe going to steal a coffee maker on the way out or some shit.  It was "real" for at least 6 months.

[Daisy]

I'm pretty close to FIRE, but I did have a trial-run FIRE a few years ago.

This is my FIRE theme song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILWSp0m9G2U

I doubt that will be my actual exit from the workplace. I'd be more formal and humble about it. But in my mind and spirit this is what I will be thinking. And I may try to recreate the dance scene once I get home. ;-)

[Daisy]

I'm pretty close to FIRE, but I did have a trial-run FIRE a few years ago.

This is my FIRE theme song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILWSp0m9G2U

I doubt that will be my actual exit from the workplace. I'd be more formal and humble about it. But in my mind and spirit this is what I will be thinking. And I may try to recreate the dance scene once I get home. ;-)

Flash Dance Woo-hoo!!! Now that brings back memories - one of my favorite songs from back in ye old olden tymes.

My ER song was Lenny Kravitz's "I want to Fly Away". Pre-ER/FI it was the "it" song for the Nissan X-Terra SUV (horrible unmustachian vehicle but cool commercials). I use to long for the life the people in that commercial were living - out kayaking and mountain biking and just doing all sorts of fun things to Lenny's song. Of course if I bought one of those behemoth SUV's to "live the life" I'd still be working. So instead that commercial acted in the anti-consumer way by prompting me to NOT buy anything, drive the old beater and then quit asap!

Like you, I took a couple of breaks from work (one for 2 years) at different times so when it came to leaving it wasn't as dramatic as it probably was for other's. Plus I assumed I'd end up going back to work eventually. Found a way to make that NOT happen so turned my planned long sabbatical into permanent ER. Now excuse mne while I go dance around wildly to Flash Dance :-)!

Flashdance's "What a Feeling" is the song for the day of FIRE. But before that, I will make pretend I am Roadrunner as I chant Beep Beep going out the door.

The morning after FIRE the theme song will be "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Graa_Vm5eA

Once I get out of bed and had some coffee, then I will redo the Flashdance dance while singing "What a Feeling".

This is starting to get complicated...

[arebelspy]

The morning after FIRE the theme song will be "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Graa_Vm5eA

My wife's favorite artist.  Immediately I knew the line you're thinking of (Pretend like it's the weekend now; we could pretend it all the time), and I'm totally gonna sing that to her.  Thanks for the idea.  :D

[Al1961]

It was........bittersweet.

I had a terrific set of co-workers. Within my clique, we had a great mutual support system - whether it was seeking or providing advice on specific audit issues, critiquing plans, assisting in issue identification, risk assessment, general BSing, or commiserating during bitch sessions...we helped each other out immensely. There were terrific ongoing professional conversations. I miss that. A lot.

We keep in touch, have the odd lunch or barbeque, but I'm not part of the team anymore.

Al

[dividendman]

I still remember the feeling I got every year when I left school on the last day before summer.  The sheer freedom to do whatever I wanted for 3 months give or take.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58o607qyuS4

[One Noisy Cat]

    Nauseous from having a supervisor, whom I didn't like, hug me.  The next morning I woke up and thought "what time do I go to work today? Oh wait, I don't go to work today...or any other day!"

[G-dog]

    Nauseous from having a supervisor, whom I didn't like, hug me.  The next morning I woke up and thought "what time do I go to work today? Oh wait, I don't go to work today...or any other day!"

I am not a touchy-freely person, I hate getting hugged by a stranger or someone I don't like much or just don't have that sort of personal relationship with.

[ambimammular]

My mom worked nights for years. Now that she's retired by dad will occasionally, in his most nonchalant way, ask if she has to work. She never tires of proclaiming, "Not tonight!"

[Cassie]

A combo of nervous & excited. 

[KD]

As happy as these girls, except in addition I would've given ol' Andre a parting shot w/my bow across his backside!  ;)  But hey, I'm cheeky like that.

http://youtu.be/AbaNGU1CrXI

I was elated that what I had worked long and hard for was actually happening.

[Etihwdivadnai]

A mixture of feelings:

1) Sad because I was leaving a job that I quite liked due to redundancy / being laid-off.
(US-based company bought out my employer and then decided to close all UK offices.)
But this was (unbeknownst to my employer) only about 6 months prior to when I (we) would have chosen to R.E. anyway.

2) A bit of an anti-climax because the office closure was followed by 1 month of working-from-home.
So I went from working-from-home to not-working-from-home.

3) Not really noticed because a domestic building project promptly took over my time / focus.

4) Confusion because my spouse has not yet R.E. (because my end of work was premature / outside my planned end date).
So I don't really feel "retired" yet.

So I am not really sure what the overall feeling is yet because I am only about 2.5 months into my proto-retirement.

Re. "exit song": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojydNb3Lrrs

[burrow]

Health Experts Recommend Standing Up At Desk, Leaving Office, Never Coming Back:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/health-experts-recommend-standing-up-at-desk-leavi,37957/

[MountainManMustache]

Left on good terms with former employer.  My job was eliminated/absorbed and they paid me to stay around extra month to transition to poor guy who took my job in addition to his previous role.

Overwhelming feelings of satisfaction, completion, peace and centeredness since my plan was to RE within 14 months anyway.  Since they beat me to the punch and gave me severance it was like a gift of time.

I continue to do all of the things I did before (worked from home) now I just do more of them and at any time and for as long as I want. 

Do not miss the work environment with its artificial urgency and lack of closure on projects, etc.  Backstabbing sucked too but I knew it was a part of the beast so sidestepped it as much as possible…until the end at least as I believe the guy who forced me out did it out of personal fear.  Little does he know he HELPED me to reach my goal and now happiness is a constant emotion.  If I were to see him again I would first say thank you and if it got ugly from his perspective I would just say, "I am out here…but you are still there".

Cheers to this forum, it helped immensely in preparation for and transition to FIRE.

Now, off the inter webs and out into the day for some flyfishing.

[Exflyboy]

On my 80 mile commute home (after they gave me a check to never darken their doorstep again) I was singing... "SCHOOOOLS OUT FOR_EVER".. waahahahah.

Sadly because I got fired I was not allowed to say goodbye to anybody and that left a bit of a bad taste... But seeing as how my RE date was pulled up by 4 months and I didn't have to sit there trying to pretend I was interested in what was going, well that was a small price to pay.

I still do some p.t. work while I wait for my Wife to quit in June of next year.. But I don't need to, so it doesn't feel like work.

[G-dog]

This Thursday is my last day.
I'll turn in my badge, keys, e-pass, etc., then meet a few work friends for drinkies!

No big party, just a toast and ease into the holiday weekend!

I can let you know how it felt Friday...

[vern]

I was kind of bummed. 

I really loved my job, but they made me an offer I couldn't refuse!

[EricL]

I timed my last day in the Army to be the day I left my last duty station and the day of the post retirement ceremony.  Prior to that I jumped through all the Army's admin hoops and closed out my personal affairs. I crossed the stage in uniform with a hundred other men and women, received my flag, shook the post CG's hand, bid final farewell to seniors, peers, and subordinates, etc.  Then I left post for the last time for the airport.  As I was driving away retreat sounded.  I stopped, got out of my car and saluted the flag lowering for the last time in uniform just like I'd done ten thousand times before and as if I would ten thousand times more.  Then I drove away, changed into civies and flew off on terminal leave to see relatives.  I felt sad, elated, proud, numb, and relieved on a continuous rotation throughout.

[DoNorth]

I'll let you know next Friday.

[Ozstache]

I felt, and 18 months later still feel, like I'd arrived here:

[deborah]

Ozstache - what a PERFECT response - where did you find the picture?

It is just the way I felt (and still feel years later) - how could I possibly have ended up with THIS?

[Ozstache]

Ozstache - what a PERFECT response - where did you find the picture?

Google images. I remember playing this game with my kids and the thrill of getting to the retire space. What the game lacked however, was a mustachian shortcut to get to retirement much quicker!

[G-dog]

Ozstache - what a PERFECT response - where did you find the picture?

Google images. I remember playing this game with my kids and the thrill of getting to the retire space. What the game lacked however, was a mustachian shortcut to get to retirement much quicker!

I smell a business opportunity!

[steveo]

It was........bittersweet.

I had a terrific set of co-workers. Within my clique, we had a great mutual support system - whether it was seeking or providing advice on specific audit issues, critiquing plans, assisting in issue identification, risk assessment, general BSing, or commiserating during bitch sessions...we helped each other out immensely. There were terrific ongoing professional conversations. I miss that. A lot.

We keep in touch, have the odd lunch or barbeque, but I'm not part of the team anymore.

Al

I've got a couple of years left but geez I am working in a good team now. The people are great. I think I will miss that for a week or two.

[Dances With Fire]

I still remember the feeling I got every year when I left school on the last day before summer.  The sheer freedom to do whatever I wanted for 3 months give or take.  I imagine my last day of work will be similar, about like getting out of prison!  How did it feel when you walked off the job?  Did you get the rush of freedom? Disbelief?  WTF did I do?   

As a teacher, I still experience that every summer (though I typically go back for summer school).  I expect to feel the same when I'm done for good as done for the year: a sense of relief/accomplishment and some freedom ahead.

This feeling (1:55-2:08):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPpJ37LsYtI#t=115

^^I really like this! As much as we tend to like a good FU story, I think it is important to reflect on your accomplishments, feel a sense of relief, and feel good about the work you have done as you walk out the door with a smile on your face.

[Dances With Fire]

I'm pretty close to FIRE, but I did have a trial-run FIRE a few years ago.

This is my FIRE theme song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILWSp0m9G2U

I doubt that will be my actual exit from the workplace. I'd be more formal and humble about it. But in my mind and spirit this is what I will be thinking. And I may try to recreate the dance scene once I get home. ;-)

Flash Dance Woo-hoo!!! Now that brings back memories - one of my favorite songs from back in ye old olden tymes.

My ER song was Lenny Kravitz's "I want to Fly Away". Pre-ER/FI it was the "it" song for the Nissan X-Terra SUV (horrible unmustachian vehicle but cool commercials). I use to long for the life the people in that commercial were living - out kayaking and mountain biking and just doing all sorts of fun things to Lenny's song. Of course if I bought one of those behemoth SUV's to "live the life" I'd still be working. So instead that commercial acted in the anti-consumer way by prompting me to NOT buy anything, drive the old beater and then quit asap!

Like you, I took a couple of breaks from work (one for 2 years) at different times so when it came to leaving it wasn't as dramatic as it probably was for other's. Plus I assumed I'd end up going back to work eventually. Found a way to make that NOT happen so turned my planned long sabbatical into permanent ER. Now excuse mne while I go dance around wildly to Flash Dance :-)!

Flashdance's "What a Feeling" is the song for the day of FIRE. But before that, I will make pretend I am Roadrunner as I chant Beep Beep going out the door.

The morning after FIRE the theme song will be "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Graa_Vm5eA

Once I get out of bed and had some coffee, then I will redo the Flashdance dance while singing "What a Feeling".

This is starting to get complicated...

Well Smash Mouth's "All Star" song was my pre-FIRE inspiration song too. Especially these lyrics:

Well the years start coming
And they don't stop coming
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
Didn't make sense
Not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
So much to do
So much to see,
So what's wrong with taking the back street
You'll never know if you don't go
You'll never shine if you don't glow

It's a cool place
And they say it gets colder
You're bundled up now
Wait 'til you get older
But the media men
Beg to differ
Judging by the hole in the satellite picture
The ice we skate
Is getting pretty thin
The waters getting warm
So you might as well swim
My world's on fire
How about yours
That's the way I like it and I never get bored

^^This line also..."You'll never know if you don't go"... Perfect! (Putting a post-it note on the desk with this.)

[dude]

I timed my last day in the Army to be the day I left my last duty station and the day of the post retirement ceremony.  Prior to that I jumped through all the Army's admin hoops and closed out my personal affairs. I crossed the stage in uniform with a hundred other men and women, received my flag, shook the post CG's hand, bid final farewell to seniors, peers, and subordinates, etc.  Then I left post for the last time for the airport.  As I was driving away retreat sounded.  I stopped, got out of my car and saluted the flag lowering for the last time in uniform just like I'd done ten thousand times before and as if I would ten thousand times more.  Then I drove away, changed into civies and flew off on terminal leave to see relatives.  I felt sad, elated, proud, numb, and relieved on a continuous rotation throughout.

Had similar feelings just leaving (not retiring from) the Navy way back when.  But the overall feeling was one of complete freedom.  No more morning quarters, no more duty days, no more haircuts, no more deployments, no more sleeping with 53 other guys in a cramped berthing compartment, no more uniform, etc., etc. etc.  I imagine my last day at work will feel much the same, including a cross-country trip (I drove leisurely across the country back to the east coast then; this time, I'm planning a retirement reward roadtrip in the opposite direction).

[EricL]

I timed my last day in the Army to be the day I left my last duty station and the day of the post retirement ceremony.  Prior to that I jumped through all the Army's admin hoops and closed out my personal affairs. I crossed the stage in uniform with a hundred other men and women, received my flag, shook the post CG's hand, bid final farewell to seniors, peers, and subordinates, etc.  Then I left post for the last time for the airport.  As I was driving away retreat sounded.  I stopped, got out of my car and saluted the flag lowering for the last time in uniform just like I'd done ten thousand times before and as if I would ten thousand times more.  Then I drove away, changed into civies and flew off on terminal leave to see relatives.  I felt sad, elated, proud, numb, and relieved on a continuous rotation throughout.

Had similar feelings just leaving (not retiring from) the Navy way back when.  But the overall feeling was one of complete freedom.  No more morning quarters, no more duty days, no more haircuts, no more deployments, no more sleeping with 53 other guys in a cramped berthing compartment, no more uniform, etc., etc. etc.  I imagine my last day at work will feel much the same, including a cross-country trip (I drove leisurely across the country back to the east coast then; this time, I'm planning a retirement reward roadtrip in the opposite direction).

Looking back at the post it sounds a more melancholy description of the event than it actually was.  And while I do miss the Army from time to time there's plenty I don't miss.  Nowadays, my switch is pretty much spring loaded in the "elated" position.