The word “retirement” is a word I had resisted using for a long time – and, I do believe I was finally coerced into its use. When a person feels that it is time to make a change after 40 years in one profession, leaving it becomes “retirement” in the minds of co-workers and friends (and, yes, by simple definition of the word.) After I turned in my notice and arranged for finances beyond regular employment, people referred to it as “retirement”. As much and as often as I said it was re-focusing, re-inventing, people would ask: “What are you going to do when you retire?” True, the timing was that of “retiring”, especially since a pension is being used. Maybe I dislike the word because of my perceived stigma of its connotation. Perhaps my beliefs were based on my observations of many others before me who seemed to vegetate and grow stale after leaving regular work. I did NOT want to be one of those persons, so I resisted calling it “retirement”.
Before I actually left full-time work, I took an online course to strengthen my proof-reading skills. I had, and still do, the belief that I could be of service to writers. Granted, this idea hasn’t been all that lucrative yet – and, truthfully, I haven’t done much marketing. So, it is still in its infancy. I haven’t diligently pursued it because I am having too much fun indulging myself. And, I am horrible at marketing. While the proof-reading idea is still brewing, I am doing things I simply enjoy and now have the time to do. This last year or so has provided opportunities to resurrect old favorite crafts like sewing and other needlework, and do them at my own pace. Yes, there is definitely beauty in not having to rush. There are even times I don’t have anything specific to do; I may spend a bit more time watching TV, or I get lost in a book. Oh, now, I do chastise myself when that happens, because I still do want to be productive and do not wish to be a “couch potato.” I most certainly want to continue to contribute to this world. I’m not dead yet. I do get my chores done regularly (even some bigger cleaning projects); I take care of my home and car - no one, yet, has to take care of me.
I’m really enjoying not having to punch that clock, so to speak. I don’t miss having to work Sundays or evenings. I like my schedule; it is mostly up to me. So, is that “retirement”? Why? I think it is a re-birth, a discovery of things one had wanted to be, the lost person, perhaps, that didn’t have a chance before, but now does. It may be retiring from one thing, but it is moving on to another, it is rejuvenation. It is doing the things one loves with no guilt, no worry about time. It is almost decadent. It is reading with no guilt, going to as many movies as possible, taking line dance classes, traveling (includes visiting wineries), exercising at will, and hosting wine tasting parties. And, it is contributing, too, teaching, researching, and writing – these are things I’ve done these past two years. Yes, on the road to re-invention and absolutely loving it. Because, I’m free, free to be me.
"The only true retirement is that of the heart..." William Hazlitt, The Feeling of Immortality in Youth.
Before I actually left full-time work, I took an online course to strengthen my proof-reading skills. I had, and still do, the belief that I could be of service to writers. Granted, this idea hasn’t been all that lucrative yet – and, truthfully, I haven’t done much marketing. So, it is still in its infancy. I haven’t diligently pursued it because I am having too much fun indulging myself. And, I am horrible at marketing. While the proof-reading idea is still brewing, I am doing things I simply enjoy and now have the time to do. This last year or so has provided opportunities to resurrect old favorite crafts like sewing and other needlework, and do them at my own pace. Yes, there is definitely beauty in not having to rush. There are even times I don’t have anything specific to do; I may spend a bit more time watching TV, or I get lost in a book. Oh, now, I do chastise myself when that happens, because I still do want to be productive and do not wish to be a “couch potato.” I most certainly want to continue to contribute to this world. I’m not dead yet. I do get my chores done regularly (even some bigger cleaning projects); I take care of my home and car - no one, yet, has to take care of me.
I’m really enjoying not having to punch that clock, so to speak. I don’t miss having to work Sundays or evenings. I like my schedule; it is mostly up to me. So, is that “retirement”? Why? I think it is a re-birth, a discovery of things one had wanted to be, the lost person, perhaps, that didn’t have a chance before, but now does. It may be retiring from one thing, but it is moving on to another, it is rejuvenation. It is doing the things one loves with no guilt, no worry about time. It is almost decadent. It is reading with no guilt, going to as many movies as possible, taking line dance classes, traveling (includes visiting wineries), exercising at will, and hosting wine tasting parties. And, it is contributing, too, teaching, researching, and writing – these are things I’ve done these past two years. Yes, on the road to re-invention and absolutely loving it. Because, I’m free, free to be me.
"The only true retirement is that of the heart..." William Hazlitt, The Feeling of Immortality in Youth.
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