Retirement Thus Far…

It’s been a little over a week now that I have been untethered from full-time work, and friends: I have to say that it is pretty sweet. I know it’s early days but I seem to have taken to retirement life like a duck to water. When my SIL texted me to ask how I was liking being a lady of leisure, I replied immediately that I was born for this role.

I keep waiting to feel guilty for not being “productive” and it hasn’t hit me yet. I don’t think it will. I feel more like a marathon runner who has finally crossed the finish line, upright and smiling. I did it, everyone saw me do it, and no one can ever take my medal away.

In other words: Yup, these are my laurels and I’m gonna happily rest on them.

I’ve had one work dream (that I can remember) so far. I was dealing with a scheduling issue in my dream and when I woke up and realized I didn’t work anymore, I burst out laughing.

I considered my very first day of retirement to be January 2 as that is the first day I would have been back at work, in my old life. Instead, I went with my BIL and SIL to the McMichael Gallery. We had no idea what was being exhibited in addition to their permanent collection and I was literally screaming with delight when I saw who was being featured.

Beloved Nova Scotian folk artist, Maud Lewis (1903-1970). Her paintings (done with house paint, someone said) evoke a happy, simple life – even though Maud’s life was not that happy.

Another gallery I really enjoyed was the exhibit of miniatures by Quebec artist, Clarence Gagnon. I felt we really lucked out with our spontaneous visit to this beautiful gallery of Canadian art. A great way to start off retired life!

So, what else have I been doing with all my new-found free time you may be wondering. Well, the decluttering has begun. I am starting with my home office (I guess it’s my only office now, duh!).

The desk, the iMac and the chest of drawers have already gone to new homes. In their places are boxes I have been collecting, to fill with items bound for my new home out west.

I’ve also updated my LinkedIn profile. I find that website difficult to deal with, and there was no option to change my status to “Retired” so I had to get a bit creative. I marked the end date of my last position and created a new “job” for myself: CEO of Everything at Widow Badass Retirement Industries. The comments from my colleagues upon my “new role” have been heart-warming. I still get random people wanting to join my network though, so I don’t think everyone got the joke.

I suppose I just could have taken my profile down, but there are some friends that I only communicate with through LinkedIn so up it stays. For now.

In other news: I went for a mid-week lunch with a couple of retired friends last week, at a lovely bistro in Elora. We supped on roasted apple and brie soup and enjoyed fresh salads while we watched the snow fall with increasing ferocity outside. By the time lunch was finished I couldn’t see the opposing bank of the river through the flakes, so it was a good time to head back home in case the highway got closed due to whiteouts. Despite the weather, a gal could used to this kinda life! And I fully intend to.

Other than these activities, I’ve been doing a lot of reading and relaxing (including enjoying more time to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Crave TV)…and getting out almost every day for a hearty walk.

There’s beauty to be found in all seasons and all kinds of weather.

How’s your 2020 starting out? Do tell!

Rock on,

The WB

54 thoughts on “Retirement Thus Far…

  1. Jean R.

    You are SO going to make good use of your retirement years. I’m happy for you and can’t wait to follow you new life.

  2. AJ Blythe

    That sounds wonderful, Deb. You have such an active life going into retirement that I dno’t think there is any doubt you’ll rock retirement.

    I know there are people who struggle with retiring, but I think those people haven’t had much in their life outside of work. I know that I don’t have enough time to do everything I want to do, so I can’t wait to no longer have work getting in the way.

  3. Congrats! When you’ve worked a full satisfying worklife, you can indeed sit on your laurels! I haven’t gotten any guilt in 8 years but maybe it’s coming (not!). Hope your move goes easy. Is it soon?

  4. retirementconfidential

    I am with you 100 percent. Born to retire. I especially like the marathon reference — as in, yay, we won! I’m just starting my third year, and I still have work dreams. It’s funny what the brain can come up with.

    1. Thank you Donna ๐Ÿ’• I do feel like Iโ€™ve won…but not the lottery…I used to run half-marathons and remember the months of training required for success. This feels like that. All that work and now Iโ€™ve crossed the finish line.

  5. Your slide into retirement sounds exactly like mine almost six years ago… smooth as silk. I love your new LinkedIn profile! I’ve heard that that site doesn’t seem to be able to recognize that anyone would want to get off the treadmill. You have come up with a great solution. Good luck with your downsizing.

    1. Thank you Janis ๐Ÿ’• I found it weird that a career-focused networking site wouldnโ€™t have a drop-down option for people who choose to announce their retirement. I guess they just want you to disappear.

  6. Good for you! Sounds like a great first week. You deserve a lot of credit for getting right down to purging unnecessary things and enjoying yourself! Maud Lewis rocks!

  7. sewmominny

    Hello. I’m a new reader of your blog…and just in time to read about your life’s next chapter as it unfolds. I have a feeling your next steps will be interesting and meaningful. After all, right out of the gate you visited what sounds like a lovely art gallery. How lucky you are to have a nice one nearby. Since you mentioned you did a lot of reading, perhaps you’ll share a little about what you’ve come across. Wishing you health and unexpected (the good kind) adventures in retirement.

    1. Thank you Sewmominny! Iโ€™m on GoodReads and have a widget on Ye Olde Blogge that shows what Iโ€™m reading at any given time – itโ€™s way down the right side bar. I read all kinds of books, usually whatever is available in digital format from my library. Currently reading The Princess Bride and my next book will be the #22 of Inspector Banks series I am working my way through, by Peter Robinson.

  8. With any luck you want get many of those work dreams. They can get damned annoying. But if you realize you’re dreaming while you’re dreaming, it can be great fun to tell the boss off.

    1. Hah! Thanks TG ๐Ÿ’• Itโ€™s taken me over 5 years of dreaming about my late husband before I finally confronted him about his cheating and lying in a dream. And then I immediately woke up before I could get a response. Of course ๐Ÿ˜ค

  9. Welcome to the retired life Deb – I took 6 months to get my head back in the game after leaving my super horrible job last Feb. Since then I’ve found that I have NO desire to ever return to the hurley burley 9-5 of dancing to someone else’s tune. I’ve discovered that I LOVE being at home, I’m very talented at doing very little, and I have gradually come to accept that I have more worth than what I’d credited myself with – ie: I’m perfectly fine being non-productive.
    I’ve had a couple of work dreams too – both about being in a stressful situation trying to get everything figured out and fixed – then woke with a sense of joy and freedom (as I also do every Monday morning!) Retirement is amazing!

    1. Thank you Leanne ๐Ÿ’• I love your new superpower – being so talented at doing so little. I may have to steal that one for myself! ๐Ÿ˜„ Glad to hear you have recovered from your traumatic job!

  10. In my opinion, there is no question that you scored a promotion! Well done, and I had no question that you would EXCEL at this role ๐Ÿ™‚

    Now that youโ€™re all warmed up, think of the possibilities!!

  11. I am SO happy for you Deb and I love reading about your day to day. I’ve not heard of those two artists you mentioned but I am going to look them up. I’m especially curious about Maud. Happy paintings, not so happy person. There’s definitely a story there. – I look forward to reading more about your move. So exciting!

  12. hilarymb

    Hi Erica – I loved seeing the film of Maud Lewis … so delighted you actually got to see some of her art in person … while I hadn’t heard of Clarence Gagnon – I’m sure I would have done, had I visited the east of Canada. Just enjoy yourself … and it sounds like you are … good luck with the rest of the clearing up before the move out – cheers and here’s to a very happy 2020 – Hilary

      1. hilarymb

        Oh my gosh – humble apologies … ah well – might remember next time … sure hope so!! Cheers and good that you’ll be enjoying yourself … especially out west – Hilary

  13. I love the way you are easing into retirement and loving every minute of it. We took possession of our new place on Vancouver Island on the same day that I officially retired, then spent my first month of retirement frantically selling the Alberta house and moving, so I didnโ€™t get to ease in. But, all in all, that was probably the best way for me to have done it as Iโ€™m one of those production oriented people – โ€œWhat have I accomplished today? Surely I havenโ€™t wasted the whole day!โ€

    Jude

  14. Deb, A happy, simple life is one of my goals in life. I love the title of your new โ€œjob.โ€ Re: my life, you ask? I am catching up reading posts with mulled wine (glogg) simmering in a crockpot, my husband waiting for me, we are on Episode 5 Season 8 GOT. I have heard bits and pieces, yet we enjoy purchasing the Series and relishing every moment. A perfect evening planned!

  15. Not at all surprised that youโ€™ve taken to retirement like a duck to water. Roared when you said you were โ€˜born for this role and even more so with your new title on LinkedIn. I am in the โ€˜retire early and oftenโ€™ camp (although my 7 year sailbatical is coming to a close and it will be โ€˜back to workโ€™ for me soon). My father loves his work and is still at it. Iโ€™ve told him I am happy to take his retirement for him :-).

    Would have squealed with glee too if Iโ€™d happened upon a Maud Lewis exhibit. Iโ€™ve learned about her work though the blogging community although Iโ€™ve not yet had the pleasure to view it in person.

      1. Ha! I grew up in a family with a motto to ‘work until you die …and afterward if they’ll let you’. But I was the black sheep, taking my first retirement after 21 years of 24 x 7 work, my second after 26, and my third after 28. My father, who is still working, is my biggest champion ;-).

  16. Congratulations on the retirement. That is definitely in my future – I was thinking about this June ( I’m a teacher) but I think I will do one more year. I wonder what life will be like after teaching for over 30 years. Sounds like it’s good.

  17. Love your thoughts on retirement….I retired in July…well pushed out due to age! It was a blessing in disguise. So it’s now 5 months and I love it! Making some new plans, selling some art, pampering myself, and starting a new adventure. I worked for 45 years and now it’s my time to do the things I love. It will be on a budget but this free time is so amazing isn’t it???!!!!

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