I don't have to do it all this year.

My list went in the garbage can about 1 year in. Some things got crossed off, some I didn't get too, did not want to do anymore.
Now, almost 9 years in, what I want to do or need to do, gets done. Eventually. :)
 
I can't explain to anyone how good it feels to own my own time.

Some days I work hard, others I don't. But no matter what, I can drop what I am doing to help someone who needs help. It happens often.

I'll never hold a job just for the sake of keeping busy. Somebody else may need that job to pay their bills.

Life is good.
 
Happy Homebody said:
I retired a few months ago. At the time I had a big list of stuff I wanted to do when I was retired. It is primarily craft projects, games and other hobbies.

Immediately after retiring I just felt exhausted and not up to anything on the list.

A few weeks ago, I started feeling better and started doing a couple things on the list. Then I made a list of things I planned to get done this summer. But now I am walking it back and taking things at a relaxed pace.

I am reminding myself that despite my tendency to overschedule myself and do to much, I actually feel better when I have a more relaxed schedule.

I keep repeating to myself that I have around 20 or 30 years left to do things. I can take it slow and pace stuff.
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Reading your experience made me feel so much better. I just retired 5 weeks ago, and all I seemed to do the first four weeks was relax, nap, read a book, nap more, and get a full night of sleep. I have finally stopped taking 2 1/2 hour naps, and energy has improved, but still not up to attempting any of the projects I have on my long list. Figured it would come.
 
My list was mostly about reconnecting with friends and family; putting in the time to travel, typically flying, to visit people face-to-face. It's something I've continued to do over the past few years since quitting my "full-time." Every trip I've taken on my list has been wonderful, albeit Sisyphean, since I don't cross anything off the list. I just rearrange the order.
 
I find I need some sort of schedule or structure to keep myself on track. There is nothing better I love than sitting down with a good book and reading, but everything gets neglected if I do that.

After running a janitorial company specifically for condominium complexes, I have grasped the fact that doing daily maintenance keeps my house at a certain level of tidiness, so I do not have to tear into something and do a deep clean, and then ignore it until it needs deep cleaned again. Plus housework is actually exercise, as his yardwork which I really hate, and I hire that out.

And if whatever ever task is just simply dreadful to do… I do it in 15 minute increments. 15 minutes stop and do something else come back and do 15 more minutes. You’re not too far away from some sort of a treat.. a chapter of good book, a cup of tea.
 
I'll likely have a final check-in with my early 40s-aged boss before my last day (I'm out taking all my earned PTO now) and I know he'll ask what I've been doing. Welp, I'm not gonna make up a fake list like 2 months in Europe or somesuch though that's what he'll want to hear because he maybe wants to live vicariously?

Indeed, when he was vacationing with his (retired) inlaws they seem to have inspired his own thoughts of retirement - he said he'd be satisfied to go for a jog in the morning, go out for lunch and play pickleball in the afternoon, then call it a day! Sounds even more ordinary than what I've been doing though I do have a loose list of projects I'm consulting and considering doing each day...ha!

We really don't need to let our prior expectations and those of others dictate what we ultimately do - priorities change and we finally have the flexibility to allow for it now that we're retired.
 
Seems like everyone has a list before retiring, haha. I do too and over the past 6 months that I have retired, I have managed to complete 3 major projects (2 on my own and one using a licensed electrician). I still have a big plumbing project but the plumber was out of the country for a month so we haven't gotten to it yet. The rest of my list items aren't as urgent so I won't get to them for awhile, or some maybe never.

In the meantime, I've taken two trips, watched a lot of movies and plays, and enjoyed my almost daily naps. Love being retired!
 
marko said:
When you were working, you only had weekends and a few hours after work to get things done. You had to rush through things.
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This is what I tell folks. I love to fish and used to rush thru getting my gear ready in a few hours on the week ends each spring. The first time I did it after retiring, I took four days and cleaned, lubed and restrung all my reels. I also cleaned out and organized all my equipment. So my motto now is, "If I get nothing done today, I can finish doing nothing tomorrow!" Ain't it grand!
 
When I retired someone (I think on ER.org) suggested not doing much the first year until the reality of not working had a chance to settle in and all the job stress had a chance to dissipate. I know I had dreams about work for many months afterward as my mind slowly came to terms with my new reality.
 
Are you familiar with the Dutch concept of "niksen?" It can be helpful.

Kilgore
 
I have not heard of it before, but I will check it out. I know I have had times where I just sip tea and look out the window. It is very relaxing.

I think giving yourself permission to do nothing is something I am just coming to terms with.
 
For years when I'd catch up with retirees, they'd always say "I always have stuff to do, I don't know how I ever worked".

I understand that now, although like many people on this thread my to-do list gets to-done much slower than I thought it would. And I'm fine with that.
 
Happy Homebody,

You don't have to be Dutch to understand. Doing nothing can be quite refreshing--whether it's purposeful or not.
 
^^^^^^

Yeah, Randy Bachman said it best in his song "Takin' Care of Business."

"I love to work at nothin' all day."
 
Koolau said:
^^^^^^

Yeah, Randy Bachman said it best in his song "Takin' Care of Business."

"I love to work at nothin' all day."
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It is interesting that people often use the word work for things they do for fun.

For example, in crochet groups people will write about projects they are working on.

Why not change the language and talk about playing at something? Instead of "working on making a stuffed animal" you could saying "playing at making a stuffed animal."

Because it is really much more like playing than working.
 
Happy Homebody said:
It is interesting that people often use the word work for things they do for fun.

For example, in crochet groups people will write about projects they are working on.

Why not change the language and talk about playing at something? Instead of "working on making a stuffed animal" you could saying "playing at making a stuffed animal."

Because it is really much more like playing than working.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have to agree. I suppose it's just the vernacular that we have been accustomed to. Not very descriptive as you point out - just the way everyone says it.

I remember Shelly Berman doing a bit on the inconsistencies of plurals (One blouse - Two blice. One goof - Two geef. Two Jackaii.)

Our language is full of contradictions and inconsistencies and imprecisions. I try to enjoy the absurdities such as you point out. Thanks for the thoughts.
 
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