What's Important?
Greg finally signed the papers for retirement, with the addendum that he stay another year to train his replacement.
I'm relieved and a little nervous, but I'm also looking forward to it. Now comes the hard part. What do you do with the last quarter (or more) of your life?
I like to stay busy. Greg, on the other hand looks forward to time off so he can relax. Given that we're closer to the end than the beginning of life, I'll meet him half way and plan on doing the fun things we've always wanted to do. We'll travel, entertain, and sit back more.
My mother, a spry 80+ year old is constantly scolding me to have more fun in life. (She thinks I work too hard.) But working IS fun for me--though I suppose I could do more sightseeing and less digging ditches. I'll bow to her extra years on earth and admit that she's right.
So here's the big question. What's important in life? When all the work is done, raising kids, growing/buying food, and providing the family with adequate shelter--what's left for you to enjoy?
I'd love to hear your ideas. If you were retired this very minute, what would you do for fun? What's on your bucket list?
I'm relieved and a little nervous, but I'm also looking forward to it. Now comes the hard part. What do you do with the last quarter (or more) of your life?
I like to stay busy. Greg, on the other hand looks forward to time off so he can relax. Given that we're closer to the end than the beginning of life, I'll meet him half way and plan on doing the fun things we've always wanted to do. We'll travel, entertain, and sit back more.
My mother, a spry 80+ year old is constantly scolding me to have more fun in life. (She thinks I work too hard.) But working IS fun for me--though I suppose I could do more sightseeing and less digging ditches. I'll bow to her extra years on earth and admit that she's right.
So here's the big question. What's important in life? When all the work is done, raising kids, growing/buying food, and providing the family with adequate shelter--what's left for you to enjoy?
I'd love to hear your ideas. If you were retired this very minute, what would you do for fun? What's on your bucket list?
Comments
Anyway, I made a promise to Dad that I would not put off the things that are important until retirement. For us it's enjoying family and friends, traveling, and basically just doing what makes us happy. That's why Kurt took the job in BC. That's why I decided to go there with him, leaving all I've ever known behind. My whole life's been spent in the Tweed area, so it's kind of terrifying and exhilarating at once.
We toss around the idea of buying a cottage in Newfoundland and spending summers there too. It's a dream that I desperately want to see fulfilled when we're able to retire. I imagine that salty sea air assaulting my senses as I do nothing but write. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.
Yeah, we'll be able to do more traveling, like take those last-minute cruises that are really cheap, and go walking (or biking) together in the mornings, but I think my husband would get bored really fast. He thinks so, too. Gotta find that man a hobby, I think!
I'm hoping that life in general will be far more relaxed. Right now we rush to get everything done in the few days he spends with me every month.
I think in a way, that's the way it was for Greg too. His dad died before he could retire. It makes you very aware of mortality and priorities.
After that I have to wait for the contracts of my earlier books to expire so I can self-publish them and then do the sequels without being beholding to any publisher.
But back to what's the most important thing to do other than keep busy and curious I'd go for visiting friends...before it's too late. On that basis I do hope to come to Texas someday and it goes with out saying (so I say it : ) There's always a bed for you and Greg in Wales - no promises about food though : )
With me, I'll cook, but I claim no expertise.
Re: think tank
And therein lies the oxymoron. The only thing more laughable is that they get paid to come up with these gems.
On this question, I'm in a blur.
One minute you're worrying about bills and slaving away at work, the next thing you know, Chipmunk is grown and on her own.
I swear to you, the last 38 years rushed by in 38 minutes. I wish I were joking.
If you're anything like me, it'll take you several months to get over the feeling that you 'have somewhere else to be". Fortunately, you get over that. :)
What is important is to not stop "doing", too many people have retired and then it seems shortly thereafter they are buried as once their "identity" which consists of their pride in their job is gone they give up on the rest of what makes life worth living which is basically finding something that makes you happy just like your job did. It means something different for all of us, I am like you working at projects around the house makes me content and happiest. My husband on the other hand loves to go, go, go when he is off on the weekend as that is what he is used to during work week as he spends lots of travel time overseeing jobs that his employees are working on in the field.
I hope that the writing does not stop and will be happy to read anything you self pub once your book rights return back to you.
I retired for the first time at 47, then went back to teaching for a few more years in my fifties. I had to move to Mexico, where my visa doesn't allow me to work, to feel entirely comfortable not working! Salsa dancing, sculpture, dog rescue, woohoo! Now I find myself working again writing and promoting my novels. Such is life!
The thought question that guides me is to imagine I'm 95 or so, looking back. I ask myself from that perspective, what would I regret not having done. Helping people heal, and becoming the best writer I can be head up a very short list.
Wishing you and Greg an awesome retirement!
Carole
They're used to telling people what to do and then they come home to their spouses and the spouses stare at them like they were idiots the first time they're ordered about. That don't work at home. LOL.
If you can answer that, you've got it made.
-Jimmy
Re: To me, the most important thing is being together.
Amen! There is nothing more important than that. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you're together.
There's so much I want to do and right now designing covers gives me more pleasure than writing. But who knows? I might take up medicine next. :)