Retirement musings

Post date: Dec 8, 2017 10:18:48 PM

I took early retirement in August 2016, and the months have flown by. What have I learned?

1. I have come to realize that you have to have a purpose—a reason to get up in the morning, such as working on a website, writing a blog post, babysitting a grandchild, or volunteering.

2. I love having more freedom to read or write more – but someone needs to buy groceries, do the laundry, and cook meals, so there is still a balance of work and play.

3. Having more time for family – especially our grandchildren – is a wonderful bonus, and makes me realize how fortunate we are to live so close to our grandsons and son.

4. I recognize how much my parents did during their retirement years to help me as a young single parent, and how close they got to my children. Not every child gets to know his or her grandparents that well! My parents sacrificed to make my dream come true of graduating from college and grad school. I want to pass on that gift to my children and grandchildren.

5. Having time to look through all of the stuff from my parents and grandparents is very bittersweet. I have letters, photos, memoir pieces, aprons and linens, as well as quilts.

6. Remembering the family stories – and telling them to my children and grandchildren – is important. Retirement is a great time to write them down, too.

7. I spent almost a year decluttering to move into our condo; however, after two years, I’m looking around and seeing that I need to begin working on another round of decluttering. Books, magazines, and papers seem to accumulate. Grandchildren outgrow toys and clothes. Closets get full. So, I am tackling it one closet, one drawer at a time.

8. Connections to friends from my old workplace are precious: I belong to a book club of teachers from my old Communications Department at Hawkeye Community College, and I look forward to getting together every month. Our shared gossip, history, jokes, and friendships mean a great deal to me, and discussing books is an added bonus to getting together.

9. Now that Mike has retired, days take on a different rhythm. He is starting to get more involved in a service club and volunteer work of his own. It’s fun to watch him make his own adjustments to retirement.

10. Time management still counts. I bought a really nice planner for 2018, because between doctor appointments, volunteer work, babysitting, and Board meetings and community events, I feel busier than ever!

Last Updated Dec. 8, 2017