freshman year done

[ducky911]

well I did it I finished my freshman year of retirement. I was worried that I would run out of stuff to do...not the case. I learned that the stress I always blamed on my job was really in me, now that I know that I can deal with it..you know why ? am I worked up about the coffee maker not making perfect coffee...thats just silly.

 

[Midpack]

Me too, FWIW here's most of what I concluded after a year (in a recent note to friends & family)...

While it seems like an eternity to me, a few close friends & family pointed out over the weekend that it’s been 1 year since I retired.

Fortunately retirement has been mostly as I expected. Rather than focus on any one activity (you read about people who only want to play golf or fish – I’d get bored quickly following a narrow path), I find that I’m just doing all the things I truly enjoy more deeply than I could before. Sailing, studying investing / economics/ politics / spirituality, reading, cooking/foodie, exercise (walking & cycling), playing guitar, internet forums, researching our final relocation, conservation, photography, improving our home & yard and a few new pursuits. Having the time to do more things really well can be surprisingly satisfying, I’d almost forgotten.

While I don’t miss the mechanics of being a [job title] (shiver), I do miss the daily interaction with so many great people at [MegaCorp]. None of my close friends have retired yet, and retirees my age are scarce. So I’m out and about meeting new people in all sorts of places, which has been good for me.

[DW] and [Ddog] (our ancient Sheltie) are both doing well thank goodness.

I doubt I’ll be aware of my 2nd anniversary in retirement, but I hope this note finds you doing great personally and professionally. I leave you with the same wishes I did 1 year ago.

I hope you flourish in every aspect of your lives, and your best aspirations come to pass. I also hope you find your inner strength when the inevitable obstacles arise – may they be few. And I hope you will resolve to give yourself these important gifts:

· excellent health - stay active, body & mind
· financial freedom - live (well) below your means no matter what your income, and most of all
· real, enduring happiness - the kind that can only come from within, you can’t buy it.
​

“The most important things in life aren’t things.” Anthony J. D’Angelo
“You can never get enough of what you don’t need to make youhappy.” Eric Hoffer

Live deliberately. Peace.
​

 

[steelyman]

Congratulations, ducky911! And great letter, Midpack!

 

[MBAustin]

Having the time to do more things really well can be surprisingly satisfying, I’d almost forgotten.

+1

I never thought about it that way, but this rings very true for me. Thanks for the "ah-ha"

 

[frayne]

My first year of retirement I ODed on golf, played at least five days a week, sometimes 36 or more holes a day. It actually got to be almost like work and the frustrating thing is I could never break 80. Backed off and now play maybe once or twice a week and enjoy it so much more. Like one poster stated, the great thing is having the time to do all the things you want, and in as much depth or detail as you desire. And it helps immensely having a diverse set of hobbies and activities so that nothing gets too routine or boring. Just my perspective after seven years of a wonderful retirement experience so far.

 

[Mulligan]

My first year of retirement I ODed on golf, played at least five days a week, sometimes 36 or more holes a day. It actually got to be almost like work and the frustrating thing is I could never break 80. Backed off and now play maybe once or twice a week and enjoy it so much more. Like one poster stated, the great thing is having the time to do all the things you want, and in as much depth or detail as you desire. And it helps immensely having a diverse set of hobbies and activities so that nothing gets too routine or boring. Just my perspective after seven years of a wonderful retirement experience so far.

If you want to break 80, Frayne, do it the easy way like I do. I would always shoot around 80 and always have a couple of blow up holes. Now we mostly play 1 man scramble. Always shooting under par now, with no blow up holes!