I had my first paying job when I was around 10, then held a pretty stead clean up boy gig at the age of 13.
At 16 was working as stock boy in a grocery store about 30hrs a week and that soon became full time.
After a short time in the Naval Reserves, I started a career that lasted almost 40 yrs.
All said and done, I worked for other people for more then 50 years.
As I approached retirement my financial planner gave me some good advise.
He said :
"Most people retire from something, the secret is to retire to something"
I retired to getting a merchant marine captain's licence and boating as phase I.
Phase II has been learning guitar and creating songs.
It took me a year or so to chill down after leaving a job that was pretty demanding.
There were certainly parts of my work life that I disliked but, for the most part I enjoyed what did so, I wasn't screaming to quit.
I keep a fairly regular routine and somehow, my days are always full of things to do.
I would not recommend that anyone wish their life away waiting to retire.
I'd say, work as long as you can and if you hate your job,,,,,,,,,,,,find a new one.