About to join those on permanent vacation.....and a fixed income

I’ve been binge/cringe watching “The Office” before it leaves NETFLIX. My decision to bail has never been more clearly validated. I was fortunate to have friendly higher ups who could make a lucrative exit possible. That said, despite the usual ups and downs of a career, I really cannot say mine was boring. On the balance it was pretty fun with more high’s than lows. The lows however, really sucked but i powered through. I’ve never been a “retired in place” kind of guy, but when I felt my energy slipping into “run out the clock”, I jumped at the possibility of packaging out.

I think what makes my agency different than most is a culture of valuing people as assets (empowering) and not liabilities (belittling). My previous government agency was one that I loved to the core, but the climate became one of toxicity around 2005 and I felt myself dying inside. By 2012, I was totally checked out- I did my work, but I had lost the passion and being let go was the best thing that could have happened to me.
When you feel like your heart is no longer in your work, it’s time to go. I get that to many a job is just a means to an end- they are usually counting down the days. IMO, if you don’t enjoy your work, the people you work with and don’t feel that you are valued- then it’s just a waste of your time- and life.

I admire the hell out of your story, going from a senior engineer to a watchmaker. That transition must he a fascinating story. I try to imagine your first day of your first class. Quite a road you've traveled.