Empty nest, newly retired, divorced 2 years. People keep telling me I'm going to be bored after 3 months of retirement. I'm at 6 months, and I still feel like I never have enough time. I'm enjoying every minute of it. And sitting and doing nothing except entertaining my thoughts is awesome. More running, more walking, more swimming, more reading, all the good stuff. And there are still life's responsibilities, bills, home upkeep, aging mother duties, but I'm embracing that it doesn't all have to be done right now. Tomorrow is another day. Another day that I might start with a run. 😃
This is really good to hear -- this has been my mother's experience too (she's been retired a LOT longer than you have; but she's kept herself busy and goal-oriented, even after leaving her career a long time ago).
Happy half runner....I love your comments on Terrell’s latest post. Question for you, did you set a time at which to retire or did you feel it was time? I ask as I am getting close and I find myself with an end goal in time, but I catch myself thinking of things you said like doing things on your own schedule, not rushing, and not having to be done right now almost daily.....trying to find my jumping off point.
Both. I had a date in mind. June 2024. But the company I was working for for a very long time, was heading for disaster. They insisted they were moving forward but I didn't trust it. As my other co-workers were looking for other work and backup plans, I did the same and decided that I could retire now. (3 weeks later my decision was justified, as I was traveling with my newfound freedom, the company announced bankruptcy and closure)
Terrell, this is perfect timing....as I have mentioned before, I am getting close to retirement and as excited as I am, I am also a little apprehensive. I know I will have plenty to do, and as Happy half runner stated: it doesn’t have to be done all at once.....I catch myself dreaming of being on my own schedule, run when I want, go for a walk, work in the yard, etc...but I think my apprehension is about how I will feel not being “needed” at work any longer.....scary and exciting at the same time🤔 any advice that others have regarding retiring would be appreciated.....time for an early morning run....then off to work.
I know the feeling, Karen! Retirement is still a good 15 years away for me, but I just see it out there on the horizon and know I don't want to just fall off a cliff one day into it. There's a book I heard about recently, 'Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life' by James Hollis that I want to check out on this.
This is why I run because I need time to think because I'm working 2 jobs Toward goals in life because I'm at the end of my career cooking. I'm starting to think about what I'm gonna do when I Semi retire. My twentieth Let's go go I had to see the world. I had to change my life. Because I came from a very sheltered Wife Every decade I tried to do something different. I said it goes even if it's 5 or 67 years down the road I do accomplish i T h e m. When I run it's my time. I have time to think I'm just to be alone. With my thoughts, I am really enjoying that. If you can be alone and enjoy it, that's really healthy because you can look at perspectives and you can see where you're going. I do not run with music or anything like that because it's my quiet time. As we get older, we appreciate what we've had, and we can look back. It's a how do we How many things in our lives
Love this! Exactly what it’s like to see your kids grow up and move on. It gets quieter and quieter. I find things to fill the silence, but love my running time alone with my thoughts. 🥰 Running has helped me mentally so very, very much.
I can imagine! Especially around the house, you know? With our oldest just out of the house a few weeks ago, I can already feel it. (We still have our youngest, and he's slowly but surely bringing more activity -- a lot more -- into our lives too.)
I loved this post, Terrell. I need to think about the questions you've raised. On paper, I have lots of time to think. No kids at home, no paying job. I still crave and sink into moments when I can be silent and see where my thoughts take me but it still takes conscious effort to make them happen and to choose to look away from distractions. When u walked long distances on my own I could think about so much and it was part of the walk I looked forward to. I think running or walking or being outs in nature or the garden allow the brain to unfurl abd stretch out. I find it much harder to achieve this inside, sitting, breathing and concentrating.
I love that part of walking too, Betsy -- there's something about moving our bodies, particularly in the way we do when we walk, that helps me think too. I have the HARDEST time just sitting at the keyboard and doing it. I have to get up, move around, get coffee, to get my brain moving.
Hey Terrell! I’m definitely in the wrong spot...I can’t seem to find the link (or place?) where I can sign up to be a paid subscriber? There was a recent post you made, new subscribers at a $40 rate? Let me know how I can do that!! Lauriegoddard27@gmail.com
You're thoughts were perfect, Terrell. I was chuckling at the other runners who somehow have in their minds that everything can be controlled. Look at the curved balls that I've had to catch(or not catch) through out my life. I've learned to let the horse go. He'll slow down eventually and find the way home!
Have a great day on your run. It is Fall here and getting colder (43 degrees this morning!) Found we have an 11 acre park on the hill above us. There are supposed to be running trails and Bears! Have to go adventuring! :)
That line from The Natural is spot on. I've probably experienced a bit of that myself, figuring out a lot of things through to my fifties and now, at 63, well into--in my opinion--benefitting from the wisdom I've gained in examining that first chunk of time.
One thing I'll say here where I disagree with you, Terrell, is that I don't think things quiet down necessarily once the mid-life responsibilities dial back. There's always more--more challenges at work, creativity, and so on. And it's for the most part good!
Ah The Natural...love that movie. Been a while since I’ve seen it but I like those quotes and how they apply to the topic. I will let that sink in on my next run.
p.s. gorgeous view on your run! Wish I had those views.
Empty nest, newly retired, divorced 2 years. People keep telling me I'm going to be bored after 3 months of retirement. I'm at 6 months, and I still feel like I never have enough time. I'm enjoying every minute of it. And sitting and doing nothing except entertaining my thoughts is awesome. More running, more walking, more swimming, more reading, all the good stuff. And there are still life's responsibilities, bills, home upkeep, aging mother duties, but I'm embracing that it doesn't all have to be done right now. Tomorrow is another day. Another day that I might start with a run. 😃
This is really good to hear -- this has been my mother's experience too (she's been retired a LOT longer than you have; but she's kept herself busy and goal-oriented, even after leaving her career a long time ago).
Happy half runner....I love your comments on Terrell’s latest post. Question for you, did you set a time at which to retire or did you feel it was time? I ask as I am getting close and I find myself with an end goal in time, but I catch myself thinking of things you said like doing things on your own schedule, not rushing, and not having to be done right now almost daily.....trying to find my jumping off point.
Both. I had a date in mind. June 2024. But the company I was working for for a very long time, was heading for disaster. They insisted they were moving forward but I didn't trust it. As my other co-workers were looking for other work and backup plans, I did the same and decided that I could retire now. (3 weeks later my decision was justified, as I was traveling with my newfound freedom, the company announced bankruptcy and closure)
I'm coming to you for all my big decisions in the future 😃
Terrell, this is perfect timing....as I have mentioned before, I am getting close to retirement and as excited as I am, I am also a little apprehensive. I know I will have plenty to do, and as Happy half runner stated: it doesn’t have to be done all at once.....I catch myself dreaming of being on my own schedule, run when I want, go for a walk, work in the yard, etc...but I think my apprehension is about how I will feel not being “needed” at work any longer.....scary and exciting at the same time🤔 any advice that others have regarding retiring would be appreciated.....time for an early morning run....then off to work.
I know the feeling, Karen! Retirement is still a good 15 years away for me, but I just see it out there on the horizon and know I don't want to just fall off a cliff one day into it. There's a book I heard about recently, 'Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life' by James Hollis that I want to check out on this.
Thanks Terrell! I will look into that book! I just want to be ready so when I do retire, I have no regrets about it....
This is why I run because I need time to think because I'm working 2 jobs Toward goals in life because I'm at the end of my career cooking. I'm starting to think about what I'm gonna do when I Semi retire. My twentieth Let's go go I had to see the world. I had to change my life. Because I came from a very sheltered Wife Every decade I tried to do something different. I said it goes even if it's 5 or 67 years down the road I do accomplish i T h e m. When I run it's my time. I have time to think I'm just to be alone. With my thoughts, I am really enjoying that. If you can be alone and enjoy it, that's really healthy because you can look at perspectives and you can see where you're going. I do not run with music or anything like that because it's my quiet time. As we get older, we appreciate what we've had, and we can look back. It's a how do we How many things in our lives
Love this! Exactly what it’s like to see your kids grow up and move on. It gets quieter and quieter. I find things to fill the silence, but love my running time alone with my thoughts. 🥰 Running has helped me mentally so very, very much.
I can imagine! Especially around the house, you know? With our oldest just out of the house a few weeks ago, I can already feel it. (We still have our youngest, and he's slowly but surely bringing more activity -- a lot more -- into our lives too.)
I loved this post, Terrell. I need to think about the questions you've raised. On paper, I have lots of time to think. No kids at home, no paying job. I still crave and sink into moments when I can be silent and see where my thoughts take me but it still takes conscious effort to make them happen and to choose to look away from distractions. When u walked long distances on my own I could think about so much and it was part of the walk I looked forward to. I think running or walking or being outs in nature or the garden allow the brain to unfurl abd stretch out. I find it much harder to achieve this inside, sitting, breathing and concentrating.
I love that part of walking too, Betsy -- there's something about moving our bodies, particularly in the way we do when we walk, that helps me think too. I have the HARDEST time just sitting at the keyboard and doing it. I have to get up, move around, get coffee, to get my brain moving.
Hey Terrell! I’m definitely in the wrong spot...I can’t seem to find the link (or place?) where I can sign up to be a paid subscriber? There was a recent post you made, new subscribers at a $40 rate? Let me know how I can do that!! Lauriegoddard27@gmail.com
Hi Laurie! That's so awesome! I'll send you the link.
I had to laugh at all these plans. . . come back in 10, 15 years! You'll laugh with me! Life isn't like that all!
Too soon, we get old, too late, we get smart! :)
So, so true, Nilima! I should always add a caveat to plans/expectations about the future, shouldn't I?
You're thoughts were perfect, Terrell. I was chuckling at the other runners who somehow have in their minds that everything can be controlled. Look at the curved balls that I've had to catch(or not catch) through out my life. I've learned to let the horse go. He'll slow down eventually and find the way home!
Have a great day on your run. It is Fall here and getting colder (43 degrees this morning!) Found we have an 11 acre park on the hill above us. There are supposed to be running trails and Bears! Have to go adventuring! :)
That line from The Natural is spot on. I've probably experienced a bit of that myself, figuring out a lot of things through to my fifties and now, at 63, well into--in my opinion--benefitting from the wisdom I've gained in examining that first chunk of time.
One thing I'll say here where I disagree with you, Terrell, is that I don't think things quiet down necessarily once the mid-life responsibilities dial back. There's always more--more challenges at work, creativity, and so on. And it's for the most part good!
That's so great to hear -- and I hope you're right!
Ah The Natural...love that movie. Been a while since I’ve seen it but I like those quotes and how they apply to the topic. I will let that sink in on my next run.
p.s. gorgeous view on your run! Wish I had those views.
Thanks, Jennie! I'm sure you've told me before, but where do you (mostly) run?