
It’s surprising to me that I’ve been on this beautiful blue planet for over 70 years. As I look in the rear view mirror, I realize that there is more behind me than in front. Time is sneaky like that. The seconds tick by without our noticing and suddenly another year is over.
It's been a wild and magical ride, and I wouldn't change a thing. I've been blessed with great families and a loving and supportive man to share my life with. And I have amazing friends and inspiring mentors who have helped me succeed in both my personal and professional life. So I started thinking about how I could begin to pay it forward and since I’m a writer, creating a blog seemed like a good way to share some wisdom I've accumulated along the way. I guess you could call this a lifestyle+ blog. (Yes, those of us over 65 have a life and actually, some of us have just begun to really live it up!)
I retired in February of 2021 from a career in corporate communications. Retirement is an interesting stage of life. What will I do with all that newfound “free” time? I’ve heard many people who have already retired say things like “I’m bored.” “I’m lost I don’t know what to do.” “I’m lonely.” For me, this will be a time to explore....new passions, new places, and new skills.
Think about it…if you’re healthy you can do anything you want to do when you are no longer constrained by long workdays, demanding managers, and uninspiring assignments. The time to do as you wish has arrived. Why not enjoy every minute while we can. I think that my 4 year old granddaughter, Juliana has the right approach:
Wake up with a smile on your face and a spring in your step
Get outside as soon as you can … maybe even in your pajamas
Pet all the friendly dogs you meet on your walk
Say hi to everyone you meet
Run, jump, swing, slide, and chase pigeons in the park
Go for a swim with your boogie board
Dance joyfully - with or without music
Wear lots and lots of sparkly jewelry
Pick up a paintbrush and spread the colors around on a blank canvas
Take a nap every day
Believe in unicorns and love them dearly
Go to the aquarium and discover new creatures
Get a large ice cream cone with sprinkles; sometimes for breakfast
Go out for a walk in the rain and splash in puddles
Cuddle up in your favorite blanket and sleep peacefully knowing you are loved
Taste something new – you might like it … or not
Life, even in retirement can be interesting and fun. Of course, there will be days when you really don’t feel like eating ice cream for breakfast or splashing in puddles...and that’s ok. The important thing is to let yourself feel what you need to feel and then when you're ready...move on. A good way to get out of a rut is to get out into your community and help others. We all have amazing gifts to share! More on that aspect of life after 65 in my next post.
How will you spend your precious time today?
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Beautiful thoughts - and beautifully written, naturally.
great insight for things to look forward to in retirement....nicely done