Where does the time go… it does not slow down in our retirement.

Hello and Good Day. I greatly appreciate you stopping by to check out my blog and read my thoughts!

When we call it a night we so anticipate waking up the following morning. Maybe, if you are like me, you may take some time to reflect upon your day. I must admit, when I was working, this time of reflection was not upon what today was like, it was more upon what I was facing tomorrow with meetings, conference calls, emails, the drama of the office politics, etc. etc. etc. I could not shut off my mind (terrible habit and pattern which was detrimental to my health). Oh, I did have my ‘lists’ which I created in attempts to shut off my mind and organize my days. This did not help me.

Now, that I am retired, that (significant) portion of my day’s reflection no longer haunts me. When I call it a night, I (still) take time to reflect upon my day. However, it is no longer focused upon what I have accomplished/did not accomplish. My reflection is upon the goodness of my day and the special moments I was blessed to have during this day!

Now, this is how I should have focused upon my day’s reflection when I was working. However, I failed to focus upon the good of my day and those special moments and acknowledge them. I spent my time on the ‘what I did not accomplish’ and what I ‘needed to complete in the next day!’ Please know I did cherish those days when there were Family moments, victories at the office or moments with team members and colleagues which occurred and celebrated those special moments so my night’s reflection were not always gloom and doom of the work related activities, schedules and events. However, as you can note, I lost a lot of valuable time and energy on the ‘work’ and allowed the ‘work’ to consume my mind rather than relax and look to the new day to provide a new opportunity to enjoy yourself and those around you!

Another preparation focus you will face is what do I do with the 40-60 hours of my week when you are no longer working? It’s a significant change as well as going 60+ miles per hour to zero with little on your calendar. When asked how we will spend our time in retirement, many will answer with the usual response; travel, play golf, (not one of mine as I have never played the game), spend time with the GrandKids, volunteer, etc. hint: a couple of BIG changes to really look forward to are no alarm clocks and hours spent in meaningless meetings and email hell!

I must admit, I struggled with rebalancing my time. Oh, it was not a problem the first couple of months! I had no trouble accepting there was no need to be concerned about tomorrow or the day’s activities -and- no more “Sunday Scaries!” What a relief that was to enjoy a full weekend and a full Sunday and not begin to look into Monday’s schedule or check emails Sunday night! Although I began my ‘Encore,’ in January,( a reminder: this is what I am referencing this phase of my life; not retirement. More on that in a later post), having the full day to myself was an easy adjustment – just enjoying the free calendar and no schedule dictated to you was marvelous!

Now, as time marched along -and- it does so with even a more hastened pace which surprised me a bit. I was thinking with a free calendar and my days not scheduled fully with meetings/conference calls, etc., the day would have a little slower pace. You would think, right?! Not so, I found the days/weeks/months to move along just as quickly as when I was working. I am now starting my second year of my ‘Encore’ and I honestly ask myself; “where the heck did that first year go?!” Don’t get me wrong, this past year was much more relaxed and I did breathe a lot easier each day! However, the ‘pace’ did not slow down as I had thought -and- I did struggle with my time management… oddly, not taking full advantage of my ‘free time.’ I know this is on me! I would fall victim to my old habits of trying to fill my days completely instead of enjoying those moments of not having anything to do. My internal clock and mindset could not easily adjust to having the free time.

You will need to consider how to rebalance your life and how to replace those hours. You should begin to give consideration to not how you will fill your time but how you will live your time!

A word of caution, just as I am addressing the need to properly rebalance your life and determine how you will live your time, it’s important to remember we are on borrowed time… we never know what tomorrow may or may not bring and our life can change in an instant. Please remember this thought from Buddha:

“The biggest mistake we make in life. You think you have time.”

So, as you begin to consider how to rebalance your life and fill your day, you may wish to examine the following to create a more balanced and meaningful ‘Encore:’

1. Make every day count – this is your time to choose what to do, not things we have to do!
2. Create Special Days to step out of the routine and enjoy the little things; i.e. go to a movie, take walks, plan a picnic, etc.
3. Live with lots of fun and laughter
4. Taking care of your health – yes, that means eating more vegetables and fruits and exercise (lol)
5. And as my Son will challenge each of us to living life with purpose and a commitment to strive to be a better version of yourself. (*note: you should check out his weekly newsletter and subscribe; https://prst.co/ )

Please continue to take care and make the most of your days.

“Never quit searching, never settle and never give up seeking your greater purpose!“