Although I officially retired on Jan 31, my last work day was Jan 15.
2 months in: As planned, I am continuing to run, walk, practice yoga (via zoom) and read. I cook more than when I was working, but that’s fine. I contacted my friend who organizes the garden at our church and let her know I want to volunteer (we grow organic produce to donate to local food banks). Garden work will start in April. Have cleaned out a few cabinets and closets, donated, gave away some stuff and re-opened my Little Free Library (closed a year ago due to covid).
I love that I can sleep in, that my time is my own and the flexibility.
That said, I am still trying to get my footing so to speak. I feel as if I do not use time as productively as I could. I am still working on getting into a routine. I pooh- poohed the “it takes a year to adjust” advice but now am seeing it is true. I also know that covid has put a wrinkle into things (second vaccine shot is early next week). I still need to be better about reaching out to friends who are also retired and having (safe/social distance) meetups.Now that the weather is getting warmer it should be easier. Am also waiting for more things to open up. I am mulling over whether to continue my twice a month housecleaning service as I have the time now. Really not interested in working again even part time.
I think “productive” and “routine” are work/job words. I left these behind, too. For me, retirement was not about replacing one routine with another or feeling any pressure to be “productive,” whatever that means. I think these concepts put unnecessary stress on what should be your glorious freedom. And that means freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want, even if that is absolutely nothing–or what looks like nothing to someone else. I think retirement is a time to ask yourself that classic question: What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Rephrased: What would you do if a paycheck no longer mattered? The people I know who are truly embracing retirement for all its worth can’t tell you what they do with their days but are astonished by how time flies. They joke, “I’m not sure how I ever found time for my job.” They are fully engaged with family, friends, and community, and they do some wonderful things, but retirement looks very different for each of them. There is no “right” way to enjoy this new phase of your life, so don’t burden yourself trying to justify what you do with your time. It’s yours at last. In these early months, I would advise that you simply enjoy that extra sleep, linger over those cups of coffee, turn off the clocks, reconnect with old friends, pick up a book…feel that freedom. And don’t worry, retired life has a gentle way of drawing you toward where you need to be and what you should be doing, but you have to slow down and let it.
I retired in summer, and I’ve found the winter months of Covid are tougher. I have enjoyed having more time to exercise and sleep and read (and handle paperwork from my mother’s estate). But now that we are stuck home without the “accomplishments” of gardening and weekly drives to the mountains, I spend way to much time online.
I do try to get a little something done each day (usually having to do with decluttering or paperwork). It makes me feel a little better about still being lax on housework even though we have more time to do it if we felt more inclined. We are also doing bit-by-bit projects with old home movies, slides etc.
Choatiemom - interesting approach! And so true - as in other stages/areas of life - what “works” (so to speak) is very individual and can take time to crystalize. Thanks for sharing (and everyone else!). Quite a few years to go for me but I like to think/plan ahead. Even if it’s to ‘plan not to plan’ lol.
H retired 8+ years ago. He was immediately rehired for a 6 month contract and then said that’s it! It was very freeing for him—he can sleep in, go to sleep whenever he chooses, including taking naps as desired. There is endless deferred maintenance of our house and yard, plus he’s organizing all his tools and keeping in touch with his buddies, many of whom retired before he did.
I work part time at a nonprofit I founded after my last part time job ended in 2006. I did work full time at my nonprofit when my kids were both in college and our family urgently needed the income but am now happy to be mostly volunteering with some stipends to pad my IRA.
I donate time, some money and energy to my nonprofit and public health and recently political causes I believe in and feel it is slowly making a difference, as well as adding purpose to my life.
I cook more (pre-covid we dined out many times/week), am getting more skilled at using the instant pot, help care part time for my 91 year old mom and when possible spend time with family and loved ones. Before covid, we are going on about 4 or more major trips/year for several weeks apiece.
I do read a bit, watch YouTube, serve as a part time consultant, am a speaker from time to time, and run my nonprofit. I also do some craft projects when time and inclination permit. All of these keep me happy and just busy enough.