It’s been 2 months since I retired and I love it. Talk about life changer? It really is just that. There were lots of questions about what I would do. Could I fill the time? Would I get bored? And I read a lot about what to do in retirement. I was ready to jump in. My first few posts acknowledged the differences in a l retired life. The beauty, the pace, the joy in the little things. But if I have learned anything, it is that your own rhythm appears just when you are wondering if “you’re doing it right”.
My day
My rhythm has created my schedule. Because you do need to have some structure in life. What does it look like, you ask? Well my day starts when I hear my husband get up to walk the dog at 7am. I get the chance to roll over and snooze until I hear them return and hour later. At that point, I get up, make my way downstairs, make coffee and then sit. I chat with my hubby about his upcoming day, and anything else that might be coming up. I enjoy my coffee, he heads to his home office (he works from home) and then I have breakfast and enjoy that with my latest book.
By that time I am ready to shower and start the day. I take time, of course, to clean the kitchen and breakfast, tidy the house as needed, say “hi and bye’ to my university kids as they leave for their day. Then, it’s all me. Until dinner. And the crew makes their way back home/upstairs for the evening.
In between breakfast and dinner is the best.
You may have noticed a huge gap in planning between breakfast and dinner. That’s true. I don’t usually have a plan. All I have is a loose routine. Everyday, after enjoying a leisurely coffee and book, I ensure to get out of the house , if only to wander my favourite bookstore. I walk the dog every afternoon to get my exercise and I try new recipes or a new diy project most days to be creative.
The other thing that I have added is a goal. A project that I have been working on for the past 2 months. I signed up to participate in the local community holiday bake sale. So I have been baking up a storm in between breakfast and dinner.
Have a goal
I love the simplicity of an unplanned day. Or a loosely planned day. Your choice. It gives me freedom, flexibility and joy. I love joy. But adding the goal of the bake sale as also been a blessing. Giving me something to work towards. It’s just for fun, and I get more out of the baking than anything. And I guess I also love sharing that fun and love of baking with my community.
I guess you could say, in retirement you still need a goal. Something to strive for. What will that be in 2024? I am not sure. I’d like to add yoga to my activities and maybe find a small volunteer opportunity. Or maybe it will be as simple as painting the powder room. Nothing glamorous. Nothing huge. Just something to shoot for to add some variety.
It’s a Retired Life
This is the life. This is how I envisioned it. I love living in the space of creating, with no one dictating what to create. It’s a freedom, I haven’t known before. And that leads to less stress, more joy. Joy to share with everyone from friends to family to strangers. Now that is living!!!
