I Was Thinking . . . What To Do?

There was a time in most of our lives that deciding what to do was easy. We had jobs, families, and responsibilities so our schedules were pre-arranged. We had a job to go to, deadlines to meet, and kids to either pick up or drop off. It was often hectic, but we seldom wondered what we should do today, our busy lives dictated where we had to be and when. 

But if you are lucky enough to reach retirement, you finally could relax and decide what you wanted to do without many of those pesky demands put upon you by others. You could decide for yourself what to do and when. Easy, right? Well maybe for some people.

When I thought about all that “me time” I’d have in retirement, I thought I’d finally have the time I needed to finish those things my busy work schedule never allowed me to complete. In the first month I’d have my basement workshop organized and arranged like I’d always planned. In six months, my home office would be put in shape, files organized, and waste eliminated. Within a year all my delayed projects would be taken care of, and I’d be looking for new things to do. 

But plans seldom work out as you expect. So now that I’ve been retired for over a decade, how did things work out? My workshop is still a mess, I’ve got more piles in my office than ever and my project list seems unending. What happened?     

With all this “extra time” on your hands, the urgency that once ruled your life is diminished and you can take it easy. If I don’t get it done today, I’ll do it tomorrow. Besides, we can do things we could never do when we were working. 

We can go for coffee right in the middle of the morning and stay as long as we want. You can take a short trip to the lock and dam on the Mississippi River in the middle of the week just for the fun of it. If you don’t feel like cooking, there are a lot of new restaurants to try. Maybe we can explore some other interests, learn to play a musical instrument, take up a new hobby, join a book club. And once others find out you are retired, there are all kinds of volunteer opportunities available. 

So that newfound freedom soon turns into new commitments.  

You join a workout group, try pickleball, or take up yoga. You become an election judge, volunteer at the library, or give rides to the elderly. You join a civic group, start quilting, or expand your flower garden. You play cards once a week, play pool with friends, or deliver meals on wheels. Suddenly the calendar hanging on the wall has things written on for most days of the week. Where did all that spare time go?

But while it is good to have things in life to do, our energy level to get them done is not what it used to be. Age 60 might be the new 40, but 9 p.m. is the new midnight. There are times when I start off a brand-new day like a herd of turtles. I remember when I used to get up without making sound effects. And I notice that the older I get, the earlier it gets late.

While I thought decision making would be easier in retirement, I’ve learned the only person to blame for a busy schedule is myself. The “what to do” decision hasn’t got any easier, it just takes longer to decide. 

So, if you ask me what I am doing today, and I say “nothing,” it does not mean I am free. It means, for today, I’ve decided to do nothing.

Did You Ever Wonder? - If all the world’s a stage, where does the audience sit?

Photo: I was thinking Ron Albright