Month: September 2018

My weekend of retirement…left to chance.

Here is my itinerary for the weekend…

dice weekend

I shelled out an exorbitant 75 cents for this fun approach to weekend planning.

They’re called

Do Something Dice.

Roll for your next adventure.

According to this roll of the dice, over the next two days**, I should aim to:

  1. Go running.
  2. Visit a museum.
  3. Listen to live music.
  4. Order or make pizza.

Let’s see how I do. [I’m hoping that fast walking will satisfy the invisible ‘retirement judiciary”s expectation of running.]

**I actually count Friday afternoon as the beginning of each retirement weekend.

Retirement Stepping Stone 17: Retirement has become a state of mind.

solitary man relaxing against tree
Retirement affords us times that often yield fun ‘aha!’ moments.

I found that even though I returned to 30+ hours of work at a local school, I didn’t want to lose the retirement experience.

And so, the minute I head home on Friday afternoon, I’m retired. It’s that simple. I even announce it as I walk through the front door. [I guess that makes it official.]

Interesting discovery: I tend to hang onto the possibility of fun and freedom and new experiences deeper into Sunday evenings than during my traditional work years.

Take a look at this article on the retirement state of mind.

I’m also looking at setting up an online community.
If you’re interested…

Yes, keep me updated!

A promise: Your email address will be used to inform you of the status of the book and community and will not be shared.

 

My Retirement Book: Leave the regrets behind.

retirement leave ghosts behind regrets

There will always be the ghosts of regret. Saddle up and ride on past.

I know, easier said than done.
But just think–you’ve set aside more time for living, for exploring new avenues.
And it’s possible you’ve left behind some people who detracted from your quality of life. So savor that, too.

Here is an interesting article from Time on retirement and regrets.

***

Today’s post is an excerpt from a draft of my tongue-in-cheek book on retirement.
I’m also looking at setting up an online community.
If you’re interested…

Yes, keep me updated!

A promise: Your email address will be used to inform you of the status of the book and community and will not be shared.

Retirement Stepping Stone 16: Project overload…too many interests, too little time, and…

too little discipline.

puzzle-693870_1280

I started tons of projects, finished few. [I’ve written before about the ‘shiny object syndrome’.]

These projects are still alive–some just a little beyond life support–and I even posted a pared-down list of them in my computer room. At this point, that constant reminder of ‘unfinished’ is probably counterproductive, but I just keep thinking if I keep those projects in my consciousness, I’ll get back to them.
Misguided, perhaps, but I’ll keep them up through 2018 and see what happens.

***
Note: I retired for twelve months and learned plenty. I’ll be posting at least one stepping stone per week. Each of these lessons or impressions from that year off will constitute a mini-chapter in my book-in-progress. [Yes, that’s one of my unfinished projects. ;->]

 

I’m also looking at setting up an online community.
If you’re interested… [Honest! I am scaling back my ‘shiny objects’ list!]

Yes, keep me updated!

A promise: Your email address will be used to inform you of the status of the book and community and will not be shared.

 

My Retirement Book: Beware the financial wizards

dishonest guy sweet-talking ladies

If only they were this obvious…

Here is a list of ten scams to guard against.

***

 

Today’s post is an excerpt from a draft of my tongue-in-cheek book on retirement.
I’m also looking at setting up an online community.
If you’re interested…

Yes, keep me updated!

A promise: Your email address will be used to inform you of the status of the book and community and will not be shared.

Retirement Stepping Stone 15: ‘Time’s-a-wasting’ vs. ‘slow-down-and-savor’

stopwatch deadline-2636259_640

I had earlier quoted my friend who noted that we were ‘in our fourth quarter.’

Kind of makes you want to squeeze in a whole lotta livin’.

Welcome to the ‘time’s-a-wastin’ vs. ‘slow down-and-savor’ tug-of war.

If I slow down, won’t I miss out on opportunities to squeeze in a little extra living?

Won’t a leisurely pace eat up too many of these increasingly valuable minutes and hours?

Trust me, there are times when the clock is ticking a little louder and I get itchier to travel, take risks, try new things.

But doesn’t haste and hurry sap quality from these remaining moments?

As I wrangled over this little paradox, I thought I would look around for other views on daily living as a retiree.

Note: I retired for twelve months and learned plenty. I’ll be posting at least one stepping stone per week. Each of these lessons or impressions from that year off will constitute a mini-chapter of my book-in-progress.

Along with my book-in-progress, I’m also looking at setting up an online community.
If you’re interested… [Honest! I’m scaling back my ‘shiny objects’ list!]

Yes, keep me updated!

 

 

A promise: Your email address will be used to inform you of the status of the book and community and will not be shared.

 

Retirement Pondering Point: Honor your creative surges…

I have two of Jill Badonsky’s books: The Awe-manac and The Muse Is In

Until tonight, I had not opened this newsletter. My wife had forwarded it to me the same month I left my job almost two years ago. Just one of those emails that slipped by.
I hope the quote nudges my fellow retirees forward in your creative pursuits. [Note: I posted this in my other blog –the mark of a good quote.]

jill badonsky quote with background

If you believe it’s time to give that creative calling inside of you a shot, honor it in some really small way today.

Start by asking “What do I love about my creative passion?” and “What one really small thing I can do to get started?”

Just asking these questions, even without having an answer, will begin to shift your energy toward the thoughts and actions that make it easier to get to your passion.

Once you light that fire, you will shine so brightly, there’s a chance one or two souls will stop their bickering and be inspired to do the same–you will be a catalyst of creative passion. — Jill Badonsky