Does life begin after you retire?
I will share that it does
I retired a year ago, last month, and started writing in November. Until I left work life, I don’t think I truly understood what life could be like after the wheel. Let’s see, working or not working? Duh!
I have delightfully discovered that one of the benefits of being retired is this. I am now allowed to regulate my pace and to slow things down intentionally. I am fortunately no longer tied to the pace of a job master. I can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee without it being in a console while commuting to work. The taste is remarkedly different.
How about lunch? Remember those times in the company lunchroom using a microwave that added an unwelcome aroma to your meal or, or was so dirty, you were reluctant to touch surrounding surfaces, or as I did, eating while driving my delivery truck because you never made it back to the lumber yard for your lunch break?
Now, the best part is the random “Hey, honey, I’m going to sit here for a while and ponder my navel” and later stretch out in the hammock and nap. Cool, huh?
The other blissful tiding is this. I no longer serve penance in what I describe as “digital hell.” You know, being tethered to multiple devices, at times, seemingly 24/7/365? Hooray!
Lastly, and most importantly, the financial security of knowing that your years of toil amounted to just enough for you to kick back now and not stress over that part of your life anymore. Peace of mind, you bet!
Allow me now to share with you the additional benefits of post-work life.
Reflection is a proper analysis of one’s thoughts and actions and is not connected to stuff away from home. The opportunity to examine You casually daily. Those forensics were, until recently, tied to work performance and coworker interaction, and supervisor expectations of job performance, on and on, ad nauseam. And to think, I survived 45 years of that servitude.
Mindfulness is the divine ability to stop Your bus, get off and wander into the woods, fully appreciating the sights, sounds, and smells of nature or whatever else awakens your innate senses.
Appreciation of simple and grand things. Just to acknowledge who and what you might have assumed would always be there. Thanks to your creator, your patient partner, and our devoted, tolerant fur baby and children (maybe, they will allow some catching up now that I can?).
Bucket list. Hopefully, you started your years ago in anticipation of the day. It appears mine will be fluid, and that’s ok. My body, now six-plus decades into service, will dictate daily activity. So, when the desired activity gets preempted by the knee, shoulder, or some other high mileage part, I practice humility and patience, not bad human things.
Writing, for me, is a blessing beyond what I could imagine. An opportunity to delve into a part of me that was there but never asked to participate before. I’m delightfully enjoying every day. And the best part is you. I so treasure the relationships and friendships built along the way.
This is what my life has come to be. I did not have set plans after retirement. Those that know my story know that I traveled a “little” and settled in Spain. Other than that, I’m open each day to each day. So far, that’s good enough for me. Your plan will be just that. Hurry up and join me and start living.
I trust that the above has not been too drab. Or that my ramblings reach some part of you, that makes sense? I am always grateful that you have ventured this far with me.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
James Bellerjeau, you started it, I’m telling Mom!