Being retired at 38 sounds like a dream, doesn't it? The freedom, the lack of stress, the ability to start each day with the question "Hmmm...what do I feel like doing today?" And yes, in many ways it is a fantastic life. Not one that I planned to have quite so young, but the cosmos said it would be so and so it is. And most of the time I am grateful and aware of my blessings.
But then there are those days when someone learns of my situation and, mystified, asks, "So what do you do with your time?" The answer is never satisfying to either one of us.
The truth is, I'm not sure what I do with my time. I don't have a schedule. I don't have a pattern. I don't have a plan. Each day is different, and yet most are similar enough that they don't stand out. Any truthful answer I give leaves both of us wishing there were more.
"Oh, I read the paper."
"I watch TV."
"I check email and goof around on the Internet."
"I do a little consulting work."
"I do some volunteer work."
"I go to the gym."
"I take walks."
"I meet friends or family for lunch."
All of this sounds very nice and relaxing, but does it really constitute a life fully lived? Is there more to do? Should I be doing more? Should I over-schedule my days so that I yearn for the life I already have? Is the grass always greener on the other side of the septic tank? Which reminds me. I need to get the septic tank inspected. Add that to the list of how I spend my time...
1 comment:
Living on the boat often felt like retirement. Partially because I was consulting and running the gps store (which, the way I ran it, really wasn't that much work), and partially because over half of the people in our marina were actually retired. It was nice. Enjoy it, and if the cosmos decides it needs to make you busy again, hold on.
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