When I retired 16 months ago I hit the ground running with courses
and building projects that took me through most of the first year. I was able to keep up a tempo similar to that
of my working life so my adjustment period was almost nil. Now in my second year I will admit that I am
struggling somewhat with a slower tempo particularly because it is winter so
that it is difficult to labour in the grounds.
I find myself experiencing a certain sense of guilt because I am not “working”. Reading with a pretense at studying, making a
few crafts or researching online do not feel like true work.
Let me step back a little and recall what the pre-retirement
facilitator mentioned to me about time.
He said that in retirement one should look back on the year, month or
week with a feeling like “wow, that was great” rather than “how time has flown”
and that idea really resonated with me.
I can truly say that the first year was indeed lived with that wow-factor. I suppose one should be realistic and know
that it cannot always be so hectic and so productive but slowing to a snail
pace is very difficult for someone who has lived a very fast paced life, due in
great part to my long commute over these past 15 years.
I am confessing to the fact that this retirement guru is still
coming to grips with new factors in the next phase of her life but even as
today we hit what they call “Blue Monday” I feel more optimistic than I have in
a while. Stopping to smell the roses
daily will soon be the new normal and I am sure I will come to relish it just as
much as living in the fast lane, in fact I will probably love it a great deal
more!
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