The second year I had to figure out how to fill each unstructured, sun-filled, relentlessly available day on my own initiative. We bought bikes. After 37 years of working like a son-of-a-gun for others on an institutional schedule, that "personal initiative" thing was much harder than you might think! The second year I was preoccupied with figuring out how to live my new life.
I am half way through my third year of retirement and once again I am finding it quite different than the first two years. This year seems to be more personal, more about redefining myself. So far, so good.
I wonder if this is just going to go on and on, dividing retirement into distinct years of adjustment. You know, "Year 5 was about finally learning how to use the remote control," "Year 10 was about learning to keep my mouth shut when certain family members talked politics" or "Year 25 was about learning how to get the aide's attention so she'd push my wheelchair down to the dining hall?"
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| T at the overlook, Oakland Wildlife Preserve, Lake Apopka, Central Florida |
It took me a good year to adjust to retirement and the loneliness I felt. I looked for things to do around the house, I went to lunch with friends, I made budgets, I started jogging and caring about my health. The second year was better and I got into a rhythm and things became easier, both mentally and physically. The next two years I got new interests and things were going along swimmingly until my husband retired also. I am back to square one now but I look at it as a new adventure. This is life and as Gilda Radner said, "it's always something."
ReplyDeleteThanks for your take on this. Retirement is wonderful, but it takes some getting used to. And being retired with a retired spouse...well, that's another story.
DeleteI'm looking forward to having time to concentrate on photography and quilting. I guess time will tell. I've still got at least five more years to go:)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen your quilts, but I love the photos you put up as the masthead on your blog.
DeleteI don't quilt, yet. I made one once but I would love to make a quilt for each of my children and step children and grandchildren. Figure that would take a fair bit of time:)
DeleteYes, it will. Very satisfying, too. I used to quilt. I used to even design my own. I'm hoping to start again...soon.
DeleteWorking part time (in the same job) has helped me transition into retirement. But as much as I love having more time for gardening and volunteering and other stuff, I do find I am sitting much more than I should, especially through the winter months. Now I understand why so many people are snowbirds . . . winter retirement is much too sedentary.
ReplyDeleteAs I got older it seemed to get harder to physically deal with heavy duty winters. But Florida summers are equally brutal, they just don't involve shoveling. If you can afford to keep two places, then I think being a snowbird would be great.
DeleteA layoff, a less than profitable turn at a 100% commission gig, and a new learning (i.e earning) curve over the last three years = retirement a distant future. Hopefully. Meanwhile, pleased to read your adjustment is going well.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that. Layoffs are rough and can play havoc with a person's work life and well being.
DeleteCan. Did. Thank you. Digging out of the very deep canyon. But, bright side, silver lining: current position is steady and I've grown within it the last couple of years. Eagerness (and ability) to learn helping to further solidify.
ReplyDeleteGood! Eagerness to learn is a valuable attribute.
DeleteI hope you are having fun redefining yourself! I know I am! I love your 5 year, 10 year and 25 year scenarios! And I love you!
ReplyDeleteDitto.
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