I’ve thought about and read about retirement a lot. I know people who have retired. About half of them like it and half of them don’t. Many have gone back to work because they are bored. Others because they need the health insurance or could not afford it. Yet some are still retired and profess to really liking it. Which will I be?
If this experiment fails, i don’t want it to be because I don’t know what to do with my time. Though I have loved working, it has never been my life. And after 30 years, I am tired and feel ready. But dismantling that huge portion of your existence must be a shock. I’ve really tried to imagine daily life without working. Traveling when you know you’re going home in 2 weeks is not like “life.” I do not get “bored” really, but is that because I have always worked and any spare hour feels like a gift? What will it be like when my only schedule is my 90 days is up so I have to leave Japan or risk deportation?!
I don’t really have a traditional “hobby.” Every blanket I ever started to crochet turned out to be a scarf. I have nearly stopped reading and I’m not even sure why. I play flute and piano, but haven’t worked on that in a while–and it will be on hold for obvious reasons anyway.
I do have interests, however, and those are what I am focusing on. Obviously I love to travel, but not to the beach or on a cruise. I like to be with the people, where they live eat work play. I like Disney as much as the next person, but after years of living in tourist mecca, I really prefer real people and places. My thought is that if I get restless, I will simply go somewhere else. Since I will have no house, anywhere can become home even if just for a few days.
Traveling is strenuous so I want to stay in shape. Having never been athletic (at all), I have been committed to working out and doing it regularly. There is an amazing website called FitnessBlender.com. It is produced by a husband and wife team who believe exercise should be available and cheap. I’ve been working out “with them” so long they feel like friends (and now travel partners!). I am committed to working out 5 days a week when I’m retired. Most importantly, I want to be able to climb the 463 stairs in the Duomo in Florence, Italy!
Then there are birds. I love birds and know them. It’s one of the few things I am a natural at. The biggest thrill for me is seeing a new bird for the first time, identifying it only from reading about them. Yes, this is my inner dork for sure!
There is also chocolate. I mentioned in an earlier post that I am not a foodie, but chocolate….well that’s another thing. I have loved chocolate since I was a kid. Not Hershey bars, but really good dark chocolate.
And coffee. In fact, I am worried about coffee (or lack thereof) in Japan. Yes, there is a Starbucks, but daily Starbucks is not in the budget.
I like trees and wildflowers and butterflies. Maybe I’ll make a real effort to learn the names.
I will have Netflix. Maybe I’ll start some new shows. Or maybe I’ll find a friend to play piano duets with. I should bring a piece of music, just in case.
Maybe I’ll do a blog! Yeah!
Oh and I want to write a movie script, did you know? Yes I have ideas for 3 different movies–maybe I can get serious.
Music, beer, clothes, sushi, photography. Maybe I could be a travel consultant and earn some pocket change. Visit the kids, family, friends. My cousin has a cabin in NY where he claims I will hear a loon call–one of the top bird wishes on my list.
If I give up on this experiment, I want it to be by choice, not default. Or because I found a new life, not that I couldn’t figure out what to do without my old life. I love my life and want to expand it, not give up on it.
Photo: Fuchsia wildflowers, all over the trees and bushes in Ireland
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