What do I do now that I’m retired?
Finally making it back to do another Retirement Rambling blog.
People, friends and family are often asking me what will I do with all that extra time now that I’m retired.
I’ll tell you what happens. You find all kinds of things to do. Things you didn’t have time to do when you were working a full time 40+ hour / week job.
Let’s just take a look at this past week
Doctors appointments – Yes, there were a few appointments this week and It sure is nice to be able to schedule appointments when they are the most convenient to me. No longer do I have to plan or take time-off from frivolous meetings with meaningless charts and graphs.
The good news is that everything will be okay. I was experiencing some heart related issues and so I had an appointment with my primary doctor. He had some blood samples drawn including a look at the electrolyte levels. He sent me straight to the Cardiologist, who scheduled me for an Echocardiogram of the heart. Because I have an Implantable Csrdioverter Defibrillator (ICD) he also requested a device check of the ICD which can give a detailed report of the heart function.
I told the Nurse looking at the ICD report of when I had these episodes including the one I had in the doctor’s office. She was able to identify the issue as a Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) episode. She immediately called the Caridologist (I felt like I was in the Pricipal’s office and she was calling my Dad) Turns out my heart issues were due to an electrolyte imbalance as discovered through the blood draw and the ICD device check record.
Grocery shopping – Time to restock the pantry. I do enjoy going grocery shopping and it can easily take me 2 hours. I go around mid-morning, usually between 9am and 11am. This time works best for ME. I’ve sat outside with my morning coffee and now all those souls that are going to work are at work. Traffic is lite and so is the number of people in the store. I have noticed that a lot of us older folks are in there at about the same time and I chat with a few familiar faces and store clerks. This is also a good time as it is before the working crowd lunch rush. DON’T even think about going between 4pm and 6pm. The crowd of rude impatient people with whiny kids and attitudes is just not for me. They have just spent a miserable day at work, rushed to the daycare for get their kids that are hungry and irritable and asking for a Happy Meal on the way home.
Housework – It comes around and around. However, I can do it at my leisure and at my pace. I don’t have to squeeze it in between everything else now that I’m retired. I can vacuum one day, dust another day, wipe down the stove and kitchen counters late at night.
What do I do in retirement?
What I do in retirement is enjoy life more at my pace, than everyone else s pace. Take time to smell flowers, but have your allergy pills close-by.
I truly hope my ramblings and other articles on the website help you understand and enjoy the new reality and phase in your life called retirement.
Please feel free to leave a comment and check back often for more Retirement Ramblings