Is it a quiet life, or a dull life? Maybe both. And that is fine. While in Chicago I talked with several people who are still doing the work that I used to do. To say they are stressed is an understatement. And looking back, the cause of the stress changed from time to time, with the perceived threats being stronger at some times, but there was always pressure to find funding, and deliver results. I feel for them, and I am so glad I am no longer a part of that.
I can start a painting whenever I want, and work on it when I feel like it. When it is finished it does not matter if it is good or not, as one comment put it this past week, "it is a good thing I am not reliant on this to make a living." Oh so true, if anyone wants to buy my paintings I will gladly part with them, but I have never had a buyer. And I really don't care. I do them for the pleasure of doing them.
I travel, because I like to and I can. But travel is no longer tied to making a living. I have done over a 100 trips as a paid speaker or trainer, this brings with it a special stress. Like the time I arrived in Alabama for dinner with the state attorney general, and my bag missed the connection in Atlanta. It was August in the south, I had dressed to be cool and comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt for the flight, and that is what I wore to a nice formal dinner that someone was paying me to be at. Today I fly in for my pleasure. Even the volunteer association duties are not tied to earning a living. It changes the dynamic.
Life is much quieter, maybe even a little dull at times, and that is a good thing. Try it.
Most of us now live long enough to truly enjoy our retirement. Previous generations dropped dead from exhaustion soon after they finished work.
ReplyDeleteSo true.
DeleteI still have stressors in my life, but I sure don’t miss the stress of a working life.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of the constant demands to re-project budgets.
DeleteI rather enjoy my what appears to be, a dull life. I can't say it is ever boring.
ReplyDeleteThe Boys and the Cat have added a lot of spice to your days.
DeleteQuite and dull is still better then hectic and stressful....which can take a toll on health. Any stress is stress.
ReplyDeleteAfter a stressful week, you need a couple of days at the beach.
Delete"Boredom is a pleasant antidote to fear." I don't regret retiring at all, but I didn't anticipate that the world would be turned upside down while I wasn't looking. Life now is just stressful in a different way.
ReplyDeleteThere are discomforts that visit us later in life. Have fun while we can.
DeleteQuiet is good, but your life is anything but dull!
ReplyDeleteI rather enjoy it.
DeleteHear hear!
ReplyDeleteIt is a good life.
DeleteI'm so glad to be retired.
ReplyDelete50 years of work, it was time.
DeleteThere is a lot to be said for taking life easy.
ReplyDeleteRelax and enjoy
DeleteThe nice thing about retirement is that we have control over the quietness and/or dullness of our lives.
ReplyDeleteMy father said grandchildren were the best, they went home at the end of the day.
DeleteI have no trouble with a board life.
ReplyDeleteThe Chinese urge avoiding interesting times.
Delete