Using Our Leisure Time Wisely in Retirement

[ohyes]

Travels with Epicurus by Daniel Klein.

I should find the What Are You Reading thread and post it there.

Recommended by a friend who retired a year ago after a stressful work-life, living all over the world.

Klein's musings, while taking off to Greece at the age of 72 to think about old age, give great backing for ssssllllloooowwww living. I love this book. Maybe it has been mentioned already. Forgive me if i missed that.

Getting work, politics, commercialism out of lives frees us to truly enjoy play and contemplation.

 

[NW-Bound]

Are you a Type I who needs to use more of your leisure for meaningful activities? Or, are you a Type II who needs to give up feeling guilty about doing activities just for pure enjoyment?

Regarding my previous half-joke, I do wonder about how to classify the time I spend on this forum. I do enjoy exchanging posts with others, and trying to insert some humor whenever possible. The latter may backfire sometimes, but then nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have learned many different things or subjects that I have not run across, whether I agree with the expressed view or not.

Still, why do I feel guilty about spending too much time here sometimes? It's enjoyable, and it's even educational. So, is it because it feels like an obsession or an addiction?

 

[Nords]

Hrmm... I must be doing it wrong. Now I've got TWO cats parked on me.

They're trying to get you to stop your hyperactive jumping around, settle down, and pace yourself. You can't keep them warm if you're wasting all your energy on physical activity.

How many more cats can they call to the scene of the casualty?

 

[audreyh1]

Regarding my previous half-joke, I do wonder about how to classify the time I spend on this forum. I do enjoy exchanging posts with others, and trying to insert some humor whenever possible. The latter may backfire sometimes, but then nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have learned many different things or subjects that I have not run across, whether I agree with the expressed view or not.

Still, why do I feel guilty about spending too much time here sometimes? It's enjoyable, and it's even educational. So, is it because it feels like an obsession or an addiction?

Is there something else you think you SHOULD be doing instead?

Usually if the word 'should' enters the conversation, feelings of guilt ensue.

 

[HFWR]

WOWZA. Again, it was never my intent for folks to explore the website to the extent some have, I was just pointing to the article and the idea of Type I and Type II. But clearly my mistake since several people have gone much deeper into the website than I intended. Maybe one day I'll learn (doubtful)...

No one is forcing anyone to view or not to view (thanks, Willie) any particular web site...

As for me, I may very well spend less time on this site once FIREd. For now, it's a pleasant diversion from w*rk...

 

[Midpack]

Midpack, I always look at the source of what I read on the Internet. Not surprising people looked at the site you linked to, after looking at the article. Doesn't mean the article isn't worth reading.

I'm just bewildered by how militant and even nasty some members, even if it's a minority, get when they read a POV evidently different from their own. Those replies often include something along the lines of 'I really resent people telling me what to do!' - sometimes even in threads where the OP has asked 'what do you think?' Or 'so and so is just trying to sell X' - which may be true, but not necessarily the point.

Like many others here, I like to read and try to understand other POVs, even if they seem very different from my own. Might learn something, and often do, and I hope that never stops for me - there's so much I/we don't know. I'd be bored catatonic if I only heard what I already believe/know.

But no one (here) can tell me what to do or forcibly sell me anything, that's ultimately my choice, my responsibility.

 

[REWahoo]

Midpack, this isn't the first time you've lamented that forum members aren't following the path you expected after you posted something. You need to come to grips with the fact you can't herd cats...

 

[Midpack]

Midpack, this isn't the first time you've lamented that forum members aren't following the path you expected after you posted something. You need to come to grips with the fact you can't herd cats...

True enough...

 

[NW-Bound]

Is there something else you think you SHOULD be doing instead?

Usually if the word 'should' enters the conversation, feelings of guilt ensue.

I need time away from the forum to contemplate that.

Even with nothing else to do, I may need some time alone. Perhaps I should seriously think about a solo RV trip to Alaska. It is not the season for that travel however. Maybe I will spend some time in my boonies place.

The forum is a good thing, but everything in moderation is never a bad thing. Right?

 

[ERD50]

bold mine -

I'm just bewildered by how militant and even nasty some members, even if it's a minority, get when they read a POV evidently different from their own. Those replies often include something along the lines of 'I really resent people telling me what to do!' - sometimes even in threads where the OP has asked 'what do you think?' Or 'so and so is just trying to sell X' - which may be true, but not necessarily the point.

...

I assume you are referring to that What do you Desire thread? I'm going to go out on a limb, and suggest you may have misinterpreted some of those comments?

If someone commented 'I really resent people telling me what to do!', I'm pretty sure they were referring to the guy in the video (Alan Watts), not the OP. So the OP asked for opinion, and people gave their opinion. What's the beef?

Maybe I'm misreading you, but it sounds to me that you are the one who doesn't like the POV expressed by those people. It seems almost as of you are describing yourself in your first sentence. Aren't you the one who deleted almost an entire thread you started when the responses didn't fit your POV?

Again, maybe I'm misreading you - it happens in this media, w/o nuance, body language and such. Sometimes we miss the satire, or whatever. But in that 'desire' thread I linked, you never did explain your POV. It looked to me like you just had criticism of anyone with a different POV than the OP.

Midpack, this isn't the first time you've lamented that forum members aren't following the path you expected after you posted something. You need to come to grips with the fact you can't herd cats...

I'm not sure it's a matter of herding cats. Does he really want other opinions, or does he want agreement/confirmation?

-ERD50

 

[T-bird]

bold mine -

I'm not sure it's a matter of herding cats. Does he really want other opinions, or does he want agreement/confirmation?

-ERD50

That would be my take. When we give an opinion or state a question we are probably looking for one or the other. In the past when I am asked questions regarding my approach towards retirement or FI I share what I do and why and always state that YMMV. That usually takes care of that as my approach, like many on this forum as you well know, are not followed by all. And to add to all of this YMMV.

T-bird

 

[okapi]

After reading the article I I"m contemplating if I should have a lager or a pale ale.Cheers

 

[Nords]

Is there something else you think you SHOULD be doing instead?
Usually if the word 'should' enters the conversation, feelings of guilt ensue.

Well, one of the thrills of ER is that I'm not doing any of the bunch of stuff that I should be doing.

 

[Free To Canoe]

Forget about this thread.

I have been questioning this entire Web site.

Well, as long as you don't question the validity of recycling dryer sheets, you will be OK.

 

[W2R]

I am using my leisure time wisely this afternoon. I plan to rest (to regain my strength after oral surgery), and to play meaningless video games and post on an internet forum. I might watch TV if I can find a show that is not too constructive.

And, I don't feel in the least bit guilty. I earned my retirement, in spades, and it is now mine. If the author of that article doesn't like my attitude, he can just sulk in a corner as far as I'm concerned.

Midpack, thanks for the article. I don't think anybody was referring to you when they reacted negatively to it.

 

[MBAustin]

...And, I don't feel in the least bit guilty. I earned my retirement, in spades, and it is now mine. If the author of that article doesn't like my attitude, he can just sulk in a corner as far as I'm concerned.

Midpack, thanks for the article. I don't think anybody was referring to you when they reacted negatively to it.

+1 to both points. I have to keep reminding my Type A self that I have EARNED my ER.

 

[deserat]

Well, one of the thrills of ER is that I'm not doing any of the bunch of stuff that I should be doing.

Hmm - somehow I doubt that - you seem to post at your blog quite regularly even when you are away.....but then you did say you wanted to sell it eventually and have recruited other eager beavers to post for you

 

[Nords]

Hmm - somehow I doubt that - you seem to post at your blog quite regularly even when you are away.....

WordPress lets me schedule posts in advance, so it mostly depends on how productive I am with my time.

I've had an offer on the blog, but apparently I'm not quite ready to sell yet. I'll take another look at it in June.

 

[imoldernu]

From the piece:

Are you a Type I who needs to use more of your leisure for meaningful activities? Or, are you a Type II who needs to give up feeling guilty about doing activities just for pure enjoyment?

Hmm... haven't figured out the question. Kinda like:
"Do you walk to work or carry your lunch?"

I love life, and am grateful for the freedom to do as I wish. IMO, Meaningful and Enjoyment are synonymous when one cares about others.

 

[ERhoosier]

Midpack, this isn't the first time you've lamented that forum members aren't following the path you expected after you posted something. You need to come to grips with the fact you can't herd cats...

Ironically- Recently had to sit through a mandatory lecture at w@ork on "Professionalism" given by (pardon my judgmental tone) a dorky holier-than-thou academic psychologist. His opening included a video on herding cats- implying that this audience of middle-aged professionals with advanced degrees were cats in need of herding.

Can't wait 'til ER so I can refuse to be herded
(No offense to any ER posters intended, and yes I did check out Midpack's link- but only because I felt like it )