Following Frank into Retirement – 6 months into it
A series of articles starting 5 months from retirement and into retirement
By Frank
I’ve now been retired for half a year and the time has just zipped past. I’m not doing anything radically different from what I did before retirement (with the big exception of not working). I’m just doing more of everything that I did on weeknights and weekends. Mentally, I’m in a good space. I still thrill at my freedom from work and enjoy each day as it unfolds. I anticipate that I will get involved in new activities sometime in the future, but I am not rushing into anything new. It will happen when it happens. My life is quite full right now and for once I’m content.
The mind is willing…
One challenge that I am having in my retirement is that many of the things I want to do require more effort than I have energy. I now ride my bike for at least an hour a day. I’ve really enjoyed seeing the flowers and leaves come out as I cycle around our backroads. It is great to finally be in good enough shape to be able to cruise for 40 km without it being a hardship. Still, after a long bike ride I’m not in the mood to tackle much work outside. Working on our property is physically demanding and I find that I’m only good for about three hours before I’m done for the day. I’d like to be able to work all day at something, but I just don’t have the stamina. I’ve tried to slow my pace but it doesn’t seem to help much. Admittedly we’re doing a lot of catch-up work around our place, but it irks me that a few hours of physical work makes me too tired to even play music or, for that matter, do anything except read.
Just say ‘no’
Much to my ego’s delight, I have received a couple of enquiries about possible work, both for consulting and full-time employment. In both cases, I felt I was the best candidate I knew of for the work. I was also tempted by the extra spending power the cash would bring. However, I found no excitement in either of the opportunities and so politely declined both. I was greatly relieved by my decision. I guess I am truly retired from my career.
Living the life
In the next three months, Suzanne and I will attend three weddings (including our daughter’s) and spend over three weeks on the west coast (my brother’s wedding). I will also be playing some golf, going on a sailing trip, taking a four-day bike trip, and hopefully squeezing in a canoe trip or two in September. Then comes autumn, my favourite season. I love the fall colours and I even love raking leaves. I’m looking forward to the absence of mosquitoes and crisp night skies so that I can set up my new little telescope on top of our shed roof to do some serious stargazing.
I guess I have found a balance in my life that I’m going to enjoy for a while. Since I don’t foresee any big changes or earth-shattering revelations in the next little while, I’m going to take a break from blogging and check in again in three months. I’ve enjoyed writing about the trials and tribulations leading up to my retirement and my first six months of adjustment. I’ve also appreciated all the comments and suggestions that people have shared with me. I look forward to catching up with you all in the fall. Have a great summer.
Enjoy the next three months of newsletter silence and retirement equilibrium, Frank. Sounds as though the decision to forgo work opportunities was a good one. Onwards.
Frank, my husband and I share your frustrations with lack of stamina and no longer being able to “put in a full day’s work!” It has been shocking to find that we’re not as young as we used to be. I also find that if I exercise it curtails my ability to do outdoor work. So now I choose one or the other on any given day. I figure outdoor work, like gardening, also provides exercise for my old body! amyc