Friends and acquaintances younger than I am, approaching retirement, ask me what I do all day. This is my response…
The alarm rings at 7:30 am, but by then my morning routine is well underway. I set the alarm most days so I don’t become lazy and sleep too much. Once in a while, when especially tired, I let myself sleep until my husband, the sun, the phone, my kidneys, or my biological clock rouse me.
Dressing can take half an hour or more, or a few minutes. Do I need or want to shower and wash my hair? Do I have a meeting or another obligation I need to look respectable for? Do I want to exercise this morning before plunging into the rest of my day? Will I be home all day and have the pleasure of cooking a comfort meal, reading, writing, exercising, and wasting time? Answers to these questions result in a careful morning dress, or a quick throw-on of sweat pants and T-shirt or sweatshirt.
Breakfast is a favorite meal. It might be a hasty repast of a combination of an English muffin, eggs, avocado, fresh fruit, or a more time-consuming breakfast of blueberry pancakes or a quiche thrown together with refrigerator leftovers. I relax and review emails and the news. If time, I’ll complete online puzzles.
Retirement has resulted in a different schedule every day, and weekdays and weekends do not dictate separate, distinct agendas. Each morning I check my calendar to ensure nothing is forgotten – a doctor’s appointment, a class, a meeting, a phone call to make or receive, lunch with a friend. Are there meds at the pharmacy to pick up? Do I need to buy a few groceries? My husband Steve has an ongoing round of doctor’s and physical therapy visits, and often my day revolves around these appointments.
I eat out more than imagined in the past. It might be a quick breakfast, possibly takeout, before an early appointment or meeting. But I love brunch out, indulging in dishes not prepared at home. A leisurely lunch with friends is a favorite post-retirement activity. I enjoy fixing meals, but luxuriate in not having to prepare, cook, and clean up. There is always takeout or delivery if tired, or simply lazy.
Recently I took on the Presidency of an organization, and that has taken more time than anticipated. There is always an issue requiring an immediate response. Examples: classes cancelled due to weather or instructor illness. Participants must be notified and classes rescheduled. Organization paperwork is never ending, and meetings seem endless.
I love to travel. Our family lives too far away for day visits, so we either drive or fly for long weekend visits.
I am working on crossing items off my travel bucket list. Jam-packed touring days and changing hotels every couple of days are a practice of the past. I take time to experience local cuisines, talk with folks met along the way, leisurely peruse museums and other attractions, savor the landscape, enjoy quiet moments. Air travel is endured to reach a desired destination.
Never a night owl, I am less so now. Darkness descends, my body tells me it’s tired, my husband falls into his favorite chair after dinner, so I rarely venture out at night, especially on cold winter evenings. I might exercise on the stepper that awaits me, patiently, at my bedside. I may wrap myself in a quilt and watch TV. I try to read, but that doesn’t last long, as la-la land beckons.
I dream of things I should do, but don’t. I am a top-notch procrastinator…tomorrow is another day. No one berates me for unfinished business except myself. I can live with that.