Pre-retirement…

This past week included an interesting series of events which have driven the thoughts behind today’s blog. The events all relate to my pending retirement in less than six months and caused me to pause and reflect.

I went to the office one day last week, specifically because of a retirement get-together. While I didn’t work closely with the person, all of my interactions with him were incredible learning opportunities. His kindness and patience in leading me down correct pathways meant I wanted to be there to see him celebrated. It was an emotional event as there was family along with colleagues there to send him on his way with best wishes. A number of former colleagues also came out to give their congratulations. He has a couple of years less than me in the company, but like me has been working longer than just these company years. I could tell from his wife’s reaction that she is looking forward to their time together, away from the stress of long work days. I really enjoyed seeing the appreciation from his team members and from those outside of his department, like myself, who have had the pleasure of working with him. When I think about a retirement send off, this is what I believe it should look like. A pat on the back and heartfelt congratulations.

While I was at the office, I ran into a friend who I haven’t seen in a while. She asked me what I’m going to do on my first day of retirement. I didn’t have anything to say because I realized that I haven’t even thought about it. I wrote myself a letter when I reached the one year mark but while I don’t remember exactly what I wrote, I know it was focused on my overall perception of what retirement will be. I also deliberately wrote it based on how I was feeling that day, with one year left. I guess I’ll see what I said when the day arrives! But as to what day one will look like, I’ve been pondering since asked. The one thing I came up with is no alarm. It’s silly for me, as I always awake early on the weekends and days off as my body clock has been set up for years. However, the idea that I won’t have to get up is fascinating. I’m looking forward to relaxing - no need to rush, no need to plan, no need to… - we’ll see how that goes. I’m built for planning and doing. On Saturday mornings when I really need to take time to refresh after a long work week, I only do it with guilt. Yes, I’ll make my tea and sit quietly but the whole time my brain is actively figuring out my to-do list, telling me to get-up-and-do-something and if I fight it, I feel like I’m wasting time. So, day one I think will have to be planned. LOL

Another event this past week was my 25th anniversary with the company. There was no fanfare or accolades. In fact, I discovered it because there was an auto-generated email that arrived to remind me to choose my gift. To be honest, I’ve always recognized my anniversary using the day I started training, which was three months earlier. However, this is my company date and it passed without much thought. At first, I was a little hurt that no one told my team - a few words of congratulations might have been appreciated. Soon after I realized it was probably because I’ve always been pretty low-key about my work anniversary. It did get me thinking, though, about what events like this mean. For me, I took a little walk down memory lane. I remember graduating from training, heading to my first posting (family all packed and transported), the people I met along my 25 years and the strong friendships that developed. Some of those friendships were foundational and I still hold them dear. My network grew and I’ve met and learned from so many over the years. The other friends I’ve made have come about from the places I’ve lived due to my job and for those, I am truly grateful. 25 years also makes me think about what was before and what will come after. I haven’t only worked 25 years in my lifetime. I worked as a kid in school, throughout university, after university, opened my own business, sacrificed a lot and grew even more. This set of 25 years is just one period in my life that has revolved around one company, one service. There is a lot more to me that is looking forward to breaking free.

I had a young guy in a meeting ask me why I would retire. According to him, you retire and then  you die. Perhaps that happens to some people. Maybe it’s when you don’t have anything beyond your work life. I don’t think it’s something worthy of worry. Everyone dies, why not enjoy life until then. Make the most of every minute until the end. What I know is that I won’t keep working because of that possibility. I know there are people who believe that - I am not one of them. I don’t know how long I’ll live but I plan to soak up every second.

One of the retirees who came back for the celebration, took a wander around the office popping in to say hi to people she knew. When she stopped by my desk, she asked if I’ve planned my first trip. I think that’s the first thing a lot of people do in retirement - they take off for a relaxing or adventuresome vacation. I have not booked anything. Now, to be honest, I’m retiring before the end of my beloved football season and as always, I’m hopeful for a winning team this year that will go into the playoffs. Also, I don’t know where to go! I always want to go back to Ireland and I often feel that I should see somewhere new. When I search out destinations, I can’t settle on anywhere. I guess I’ll stay home and figure out my new world.

As I look back over this blog, I wonder why I think this is worth sharing. Do people care what I’m going to do in retirement? Probably not. I took a retirement “course” offered by our company last year. It’s very focused on what to expect in financial terms - not personal financial planning or advice, just what options there are, how do benefits work, etc. I also took some online webinars about the softer side of retirement - what will you do with your time, how do you keep your mind sharp, etc. To be honest, I feel like my last four years with this blog has prepared me for that side of retirement quite well. I guess it’s because while we’re geared to think of ourselves and our personal plans, we want to hear about others. Those stories are what help us create our own. I have a friend who is retiring a month before me. A year ago she was thinking about doing something creative with her newly found freedom (when it arrives). She was thinking about decorating, staging in the realtor world or maybe something like flower design. She now has two brand new grandchildren and I think her love is so strong that all she can think of is them. Desires change, plans get adjusted, life impacts in numerous ways. I think one of the best things I’ve done is think about it. I think we have to do more than financial planning, although that’s critical, too. We have to know that day one will be something, even if it’s sleeping in and taking it easy after years of long days. It’s knowing that a new adventure awaits. It’s about figuring out some sort of plan for that adventure. Travel, read the books that have been piling up, learn something new, explore an area of interest, engage in the world. I’m going to finish up my blog by saying I have a new adventure that I’m hoping comes to fruition. I have a children’s book series started. Book one is almost finished as a first draft. It’s really close. I’m excited by it and slightly terrified. I know there will be numerous rejections - it seems to be the norm in the publishing world but I have to try. I have a first novel started. It’s in bits right now but I have a good picture of how it will flow and I know it’s the first of a trilogy. So, KD, this is how I pray day one (a Thursday) looks: I’m going to sleep in, until at least six and I’m going to take a walk (a habit I’ve started and intend to continue). When I return from my walk, I’m going to make my tea - retired or working this is critical to the start of my day! By 9 o’clock, I’m hoping I’ll be at my desk - no work computers and associated monitors and no related notebooks with to do lists. Just my trusty MacBook and journals. I am going to work on my writing. If all goes well, I’ll write for a few hours; if not at least one hour at a time. I’ll have my writing easel with my outlines set up, I’ll have a new work chair and I’ll hopefully have some interest from the publishing world. The other thing about day one is that I can take breaks whenever I want!

A visitor watching as I write this blog on my porch. I chose binoculars as my journey award from the company and can’t wait to see my bird friends up close!

The vase is a lovely gift from my sister (it’s chalkboard paint so you can write sayings or draw on it, although it’s blank at the moment). I think it’s a perfect fit for my dining table and really shows off my lilacs!