Lately, I have been thinking about the concept of Time. It seems that when we started into this journey called retirement, the concept of time got tweaked a little bit.
Early on in the Encore Voyage, I found myself carefully examining how I wanted to spend my days. Perhaps it was out of a fear that I would grow old in a rocking chair, sitting staring out the window, or, worse yet, at a TV screen.
What happened next is that we started examining what we really value and then we tried to align our values with our daily activities. We poured some glasses of wine and discussed
What’s REALLY important to us?
Then we decided that we wanted to do those things. On purpose. With Intention. All the time.
In reading other blogs, it seems that we’re not the only ones doing this type of activity in retirement. I think maybe it’s because we’ve grown up a bit, and what used to be important to us has changed. We no longer feel the need to have the coolest “stuff.” In fact, we really want less “stuff!” And we no longer feel the need to impress anyone. Climbing some perceived ladder – um, yeah… we’re done with that.
I wonder if it’s because we think time is more fleeting at this age, and that we’d better not waste even one minute – Good Lord, that made me sound old…but still –
The other thing that’s changed is the concept of being busy. When I was teaching, I could do about ten things at a time. I could have a phone ringing on my desk, parents at my classroom door, a stack of papers to handle, students who were hungry, fighting or about to throw up – and that’s all before 8:10! It seemed that “busyness” was the order of the day – Every.Single.Day.
Now, we actively seek strategies to reduce the busyness. – Opening up space in the day to breathe, think, rest, and meditate. What’s that all about, huh? Perhaps being more busy does not make you a more dynamic or important person. It just makes you tired and stressed out.
So I hope today you’ll take some time to
Think about what’s important
Then do that!
One thing I’ve learned on the voyage is that time can control you, or you can control it. You get to decide what to make of each day. Make it a great one!
An Encore Voyage 
In today’s world it seems that being busy is a sign of importance. I still feel “less than” if I have a few unproductive days in a row. Days that are not only not busy, but could be considered wasted time. Reading a novel, taking an afternoon nap, reading blogs on line. Important? Not really. But delightfully indulgent after years of being a workaholic. Then I do get back to the important stuff.
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I guess it’s all in how you define “unproductive!” I think reading is very productive…right up there along with learning about new wines!
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That’s pretty much how we handle our retirement. We see this as the opportunity to do things we always wanted to do but didn’t have time. We retired to the lake and always make time to sit on our favorite bench by the water and watch the sunset.
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Sounds perfect!
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Love this post and it’s so true. I’m not yet at retirement age but I”m feeling less and less like I need things and that I just want experiences. Probably why I love traveling and camping so much. Just enjoying the simple things in life.
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I’m right there with you about wanting experiences! Life is about collecting experiences, not stuff!
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It absolutely is. Have a great weekend.
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Thanks! You too!
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As an ex-workaholic, and an ex-multitasker-extraordinaire, getting things DONE was hugely important to me. While still having a somewhat driven personality (you is what you is!), in my retirement I also have been focusing on controlling my time, and not letting it control me. “Being more with less, and by doing less” is a new mantra for me. Great post!
Donna
http://www.retirementreflections.com
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Excellent, Donna – I’m glad you, too, have come to this “epiphany!” I think it’s OK to be driven (I’m pretty Type A myself), but as I age, I’m being more conscious of just being present in the moment…whatever that moment may bring!
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When I first stopped work a few months ago, I enjoyed the prospect of unstructured time ahead of me every day. It was like a holiday. Now, though, I find myself going through the day with a rhythm dictated by the activities – jewellery making and exploring our new city, e.g. – that I now have time to do.
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Isn’t that the greatest? Letting your nose lead you to new experiences? Just be careful not to let your Encore Voyage turn into another time strapped career!
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So true! My concepts of “time” and “busy” have changed radically, and it’s so liberating. I still have structure but dictated by me, not external people / events. Typing this in a coffee shop after having my hair done – something that would have been packed into a weekend with 1000 other things before. Now I can enjoy the weekend with my husband. As I said to someone recently, I haven’t been this relaxed since I was 4 years old and hadn’t started school yet!
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Anabel, I’m so happy for you! Being able to decide what the day should bring, being the captain of your own ship, is what the Encore Voyage is all about! I’m typing this in a coffee shop as well! I raise my cup to you! Cheers, sister!
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A lovely post and very good advise about appreciating this bonus time and not rushing to fill it with activities for the sake of activity. This portion of our lives allows time for reflection which will enrich our lives and the lives of those around us.
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Yep, Bernadette, you certainly do get it! I might post this over at the salon next week!
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Would love to see it there.
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I used to love being busy. I just wanted to do so much and thought I might never have the time to do it all! Of course, I was more often than not anxious and exhausted. Now that I’m 5 months into retirement, I’m surprised at how quickly I’ve adjusted to doing things at my own pace and savouring every moment. I continue to be active, doing artwork, taking long walks, cooking and taking care of me, but there is no sense of urgency. Reflection, conversing and laughing with friends and family, living with less, reading positive blogs such as yours fill me with a sense of well-being and peacefulness. I don’t miss busyness at all!
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Marilyn, you make me smile! I like being “busy” as well – with the things I choose to do! There’s a huge difference when you are free to stop or change activities at any time! It’s made even more sweet when it’s something you value doing!
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Yesterday I was busy cutting back our out-of-control Bougainvillea bush, then a shower, then over to a friend’s house for a visit. Today, busy with coffee, reading and writing blogs posts, then maybe out to lunch with my husband. This is my kind of busy!
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Mine, too, Janis…Mine, too! In fact, I’m writing this in a coffee shop at a resort while I attend a conference with the hubs. He’s “working” – I’m enjoying the resort. Yep, I can spend my time doing this!
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The best part of retirement for me is the lack of obligations. My goals are squishy with enough flex to accommodate something else that seems like fun. No bucket list for me. What comes, comes.
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Ooh, I love that – “squishy goals!” Gonna have to steal that expression! I too am all about the flexibility!
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You are correct about the process and establishing what is and is not important. Even after 2 1/2 years I find myself reevaluating and readjusting. Even what seemed important 2 years ago (like dust bunnies under the bed) no longer take any priority in my life these days!
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That’s so good! I keep telling myself things like, “It’s the floor! People walk on it! It’s supposed to be like that!” 🙂 Congratulations on new-found priorities!
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Ooh you ladies have been dancing on all my buttons! My husband and I’ve been retired for some years now and we’re still “at it” – still busy busy busy. We do relax in the evenings but really? Time to learn from you all, sit down and TALK! Thing is, now I am “free” to write to my heart’s content, I don’t have time to relax! Now is that stupid or is it stupid?
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Now when retired, we have time to be interested in things that we did not have the opportunity or time while working.
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