How busy is too busy?
Friday, June 28, 2024 at 09:25AM
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing. A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. Annie Dillard
A question I have been asking myself since I retired five years ago: Is it better to be too busy or not busy enough now that my days are my own? After 43 years of having much of my daily activity dictated by employers, finding a new balance of activity and leisure is somewhat tricky. I am asking myself this again after two weeks of what seems like non-stop activity.
Advice about pre-retirement planning tends to focus on finances. How much money do I need to retire in comfort and security? At what age would I receive maximum retirement benefits? What expenses can I reduce after I quit working? Should I downsize my home?
I remember no questions like: How do you plan to fill your days when you no longer have to go into the office? What will give your life purpose and meaning? With whom are you going to socialize? How will you stay motivated? How will you prioritize your spending? How can you maintain your health? Will you have something to look forward to each day when you wake up? Will you have something to be proud of doing to think about as you go to bed each night. How do you find the right balance of activity and leisure, schedule and free time?
The graphic above is a screenshot of my Google calendar for the current week. It shows the volunteer rides I gave, Rotary meetings I attended, organized bike rides I participated in, my driving a senior living van for shoppers, training for a new volunteer role I am doing, trip planning calls I’ve made. It does not show my daily walks or regular workouts at the Y.
Nor does it show the hours I cherish being able to read two newspapers each morning, play a few online games, and read interesting books. It does not reflect the time I get to spend with my friend Heidi and our meals together or our times watching movies or simply reading side by side. It does not reflect time spent grocery shopping, cooking, making the bed, or doing laundry. It doesn’t show time I’ve spent calling family members and friends. Nor does it reflect quiet times when I can put a few words down to later post on my blog, helping me remember the life I once lived and am living now.
Early next week looks just as busy. Thank goodness there is a holiday toward the end of the week. We retirees need it.
Reader Comments (2)
Was Caylin born in 2009 or not?!? ;)
Caylin is a grand niece. Still not sure the exact DOB!
Doug