A young-ish retired woman with no kids and few obligations really has no business being stressed to the point of back aches and insomnia. And yet, here I am, overwhelmed and cranky. And it’s my own darn fault.
I’m learning there is an unexpected caution to having lots of free time to fill as one wishes. Over the past several weeks, I have found myself scheduled with fabulously fun things to the point of exhaustion and panic. A friend with whom we’re trying to schedule a visit recently began an email with “How can two retired people in youth be the busiest people we know?” That’s a very good question and the answer isn’t as obvious as I would have thought.
The answer is since I don’t have any obvious reason not to (like a job or kids or parents to care for), I quickly agree to anything that sounds fun because, well, it sounds fun and I want to do it. Seemingly, it's all about instant gratification without considering any consequences. It's like I'm 5 -- or 14 -- all over again.
“Meet downtown for dinner?” Sure!
“Check out that new winery?” You bet!
“Come over for cards?” What a hoot!
“Go to a garden show?” Sounds fun!
“Come hang out and play with the kids?” I’m grabbing my coat!
“Help write content for a new website?” LOVE to!
“Can we fly up for a visit?” We’ll camp out at the airport!
“Know how to set up a wireless network?” We’re on our way!
The thing is, I absolutely want to do everything that is on my calendar. I am grateful that most of the things I do, I want to do. That’s what Rob and I defined as “retirement” a few years back – doing what we WANT to do, not what we HAVE to do. So I’m living the retired life we set out to live. But when I had a job and less free time, I was more careful with it. I spent that free time wisely. I prioritized it. I considered it. I managed it. It was free but it was so precious. Now I am learning that you can indeed have too much of a good thing -- including fun and time.
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