On Being a Rookie Retiree

It's 3 AM and I'm sitting here trying to get myself motivated to do some work on a contract I've taken up. My Big Plan all along has been to retire & work my butt off for about 4 years then RETIRE retire without any financial worries. Thing is, I think many of us have been programmed to worry about finances and the most successful retirees are those who have managed to settle in and relax into their mostly fixed income. Maybe I've practiced that in my work life. About 10 years ago I decided to quit reaching for that stupid brass ring and enjoy myself in the workplace.

Suddenly I found myself having a lot more fun.

But retirement is different, of course. For starters, I'm WAY too young to retire. If I don't look in a mirror I'm still 35 and have 20-30 years to go before I can hang up my mouse and be done. On the other hand, I find myself looking at life very differently over just the last five years or so. The reality of time has shifted from a limitless, wide open expanse to a finite box that will hold whatever I have left in my life. AND, the good news is, I'm OK with that. I still have some things I'd like to do in my life and I have them sorted and prioritized - although if you were to ask me I couldn't give you a list. At least today's list is different than yesterdays, and tomorrow's will certainly be different than today's. And so on. What I really want to do is relax and enjoy myself in comfort.

. . . . . . and maybe go somewhere on my bike. Then do it again.

My pretty retirement plaque.

My pretty retirement plaque.  Thing is, it's signed by Randy Babbitt, who was drummed out of the Corps for getting a DUI.  That happened on December 6, 2011 but my certificate is signed December 31.  My boss pointed that out when he gave it to me, wondered if I'm legally retired.  I shall now go to my grave (many many years down the road) in wonder ...

Retirement is Very Real

Oh, I'm just coming down from my retirement party and it's very real now, my "official" career is in my past.  I had a most wonderful send-off and spent some time with people whom I care for, very deeply.   Professionally, I feel like a kite who's cut his own string. Personally, I feel like I'm being born with my eyes wide open.  I haven't blogged for some time now. Maybe it's time to start again.  Maybe I have a journey to share.  Funny how journey & journal are spelled so similarly.
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