Retirement advice…

I haven’t written a blog in a while and have spent the last couple of weeks trying to pick one of the many topics bouncing around in my head. Retirement advice was not one of them but yesterday morning I slept in. Now, don’t misunderstand me, I have slept in before and I got home late the night before so it was warranted. However, this sleep in was, for me, extreme. I didn’t open my eyes until 9 a.m.! Even with a late night that was a very late start to my day. I moved slowly all day and was in bed at my normal time last night and was able to sleep. The lesson? My body was exhausted and took over, giving itself what it needed.

What has this to do with retirement advice? Well from the start, even before I was retired, I had people telling me to take it easy for six months and then decide what I want to do. I couldn’t get over how many people said “six months” as though somehow everything changes when you hit that mark. Of course no one knows what’s best for me the way I do.

I think that’s true of most advice. People want to help. They want to share their experiences and give you the opportunity to learn from them and that’s great. Some people just think they know it all and want to tell you but I think they’re in the minority. Most people are happy to let you know what they encountered, whatever the situation might be. Surgeries, pains, growing older and when it comes to retirement.

So I listened and I mostly ignored. After all, I had a plan. I wasn’t going to just relax. No way. I have a bad habit of equating relaxation with laziness. Not for others mind you, but definitely for myself. And as I’ve written before, I’m afraid of becoming lazy.

I gave myself a little break at the beginning - enjoyed not having to be up and working by 7 a.m. I even changed my alarm to 6 a.m. instead of 545 a.m.! I know, crazy right? Actually, I enjoy getting up early. In retirement it’s given me the time for a slow start to my days. I write in my journal, I enjoy my tea, instead of inhaling it. I started doing a twenty minute writing exercise. You write first thing for twenty minutes without planning, editing, review. It gets the juices started and I’ve come to really appreciate it. I watch the morning news, take some time to read my book, don’t feel the need to rush into the shower and dress. It’s been great. That’s a piece of advice I would offer - figure out what schedule/routine you want to embrace and do it. If you don’t want any routine, them embrace that. Set an alarm if you want. Don’t set one, if you don’t. I’m awake most mornings before my alarm and that tells me it’s working for me. If I was struggling every morning to get up then I think it would be a sign that it wasn’t the right set up for me.

I knew from a year before retirement that I wanted to write a novel. It wasn’t completely clear at that time, an idea at best. Six months before retirement I had taken the time to really plan out the idea and it grew into a full story. Two months before retirement I had more than five thousand words written and was lucky enough to have a meeting with an editor. His feedback was outstanding and eye-opening and a little ego crushing. After all, this was a brilliant idea, right? Okay, maybe not ego-crushing but definitely a yank back to reality. A writer doesn’t just spew out what’s happening in their brain and stick it on paper and says, “done”!

Anyway, back to the retirement advice. Since I retired at the beginning of November, I thought I had a great plan. Start writing, have a nice Christmas and then get it done. When my son asked me to dog and house sit for the middle of April, I figured I’d be done the book and ready to send out query letters.

Well, November and December were busy with Christmas preparations and family. This past year I was able to soak up the Christmas season in a way that was missing when I was working long hours. While I tried to jump into a “new” routine, it didn’t work well during the first two months. As my friends headed back to work after the stat holiday of New Year’s Day, I decided it would mark my return to a regular schedule as well. And it did. Since the beginning of January I’ve worked Monday to Friday mornings on my book. Here’s the difference in retirement. I choose the work hours I want to keep. Since there are plenty of things I want to do around the house, I decided morning would be an ideal time. I’m naturally up early and have always had more energy in the morning. Perfect! Another difference? If there’s something else booked - a medical appointment, travel, an oil change, haircut, etc., I can attend them whenever I want. A third difference? If I wake up with a scratchy throat and it takes a little longer to get moving, it’s okay! It’s my timeline.

I’m doing what I want and need in retirement. I had an incredible offer made to me last year that would have put me on a different adventure. I thought it over and chose the path that I wanted. Sometimes we have those opportunities in a career environment - apply on a promotion, go for a different department but in retirement it becomes very self-based. What works for me? What do I want? Is this an adventure I want to take? Is this a risk I’m willing to take? Where do I want to go? What do I want to do? Who do I want to be?

Those are the questions that I consider on a regular basis. From the beginning I decided I would spend my first year of retirement writing and hopefully, selling my first novel. What I’ve learned is that I may have set some unrealistic timelines but it’s okay. They are mine and I can adjust them as needed.

My advice to anyone considering retirement?

Do what makes sense to you. If you’re ready for something new and you can retire, then go for it. If you can’t retire for a while, enjoy what you’re doing now and push yourself to learn and absorb. Five years ago I honestly figured my retirement would consist of doing contract work or a job in an adjacent sector. Without the stress of needing the paycheque, I thought the world would be open. It didn’t mean I expected to get whatever job I wanted, only that I could look at something new and interesting. What happened was I found a passion and I’ve chosen to follow it.

Dream. If you want to travel, plan and budget and make it work. See the sights that interest you. Meet the people. Try the food. If you want to paint, do it. If you want to learn something, find a class and sign up.

Listen to your heart. I think when we get busy in long hours of work and stresses related to our job or our company our heart can be overpowered by all the voices shouting around us. When you’re retired, you get the opportunity to be quiet and listen.

Get outside. The fresh air, green grass, buzzing of bees, singing of birds are things we miss when we’re stuck inside in front of a computer screen. Find a path to walk where you’re surrounded by growth and fragrances and peace. I think one of the greatest gifts of retirement is taking the time to see the world right outside your door.

Six months? I’m honestly not sure about that particular piece of advice as it was given to me. Maybe after six months it’s a good time to check in with yourself and make sure you’re getting what you need. Maybe it’s a good time to review your plan and make adjustments. I can honestly say that the “wait six months” hasn’t really done much for me. Perhaps it will for you.

Ultimately my advice is to trust yourself. You know your budget. You know the technical aspects of your life. Do what you need to meet your needs and then? Do what you want to do. Move, sing, read books, dig in the dirt, smell the lilacs (I can’t pass one of my trees without stopping and breathing in the scent right now), put your feet in the sand or the river or hiking boots. Be good to yourself and let others share with you knowing that you’ll do what you need.

The before and after of doing some cleanup in the yard. On the right is the newly trimmed line of trees separating two parts of the yard. Love how neat and tidy it is and so much easier to traverse now.

Although not without issues, this year’s pool opening has been so much happier than last year’s. Last year the water was neon green!

I get very excited when something new comes into my possession that is a perfect fit in my old house. This key is awesome in my door and one of those little things that won’t be noticed immediately but is wonderful!

This is the lilac tree in my backyard. As I sit on the porch, the waft of its fragrance is incredible. It’s full of blooms this year and I stop and smell them multiple times through the day.