What Now My Life?

I read about a 94-year-old who retired from the corporate world at 60.  He regretted having done nothing more afterwards but waited for his time.  Those 34 years approximately equal a third of his lifetime. 

This made me wonder whether I'm doing the same thing.  So I asked myself, what more can I do to make a more joyful, interesting, meaningful and rewarding retirement lifestyle?

I'm turning 75 in July and if I live to be 95,  that's 20 years from now and equal to more than a fourth of my lifetime.  Shouldn't I be doing something more than just letting the days and years pass me by?  I'm not complaining though, my life is far from boring and lonely.  In fact, I'm busy as ever; but then I just feel that I could do something more. 

I've always thought that the way to go in life is more about ambition and achievement that is financially productive.  But retirement experts say that a great retirement isn't  measured by endeavors and it is not also necessary to keep up with the Joneses.

The last time my younger daughter was in town, I mentioned my sentiments about retirement.  She said that "sometimes it's not bad at all to go with the flow and see what happens".   Isn't that squandering my life to chance?

But then she told me that I need a bucket list, a board map so I could establish a reference, a basis of comparison between now and where I am going.  

"Your plan need not be something big and spectacular, you could start doing a regular exercise routine or develop a more sensible diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle".   Well, that makes sense,  if I put my health and wellness first. 

Looking back to 15 years ago after my retirement I believe that I did fairly well.  Those intervening years from 60 to today didn't go for naught.  I devoted a good part of my time managing our convenience store.  That made my transition easier since  I was occupied and able to use my management skills. 

Moreover, that was the time my granddaughter, our first grandchild was born.  I saw her every other day until she started kindergarten.  Nowadays, I see her once a week but our connection was established because I was a big part of her growing up years. 

For the last 4 years, I focused on settling in the new home and started gardening along with my husband.   It is a fascinating and exciting experience to see our plants grow, bear flowers and fruits; moreover it is rewarding to cook veggies directly from the garden to the kitchen. 

Now that I closed the store and my 14-year-old  granddaughter is in school 5 days a week, I feel that I have too much time at my disposal.  I feel like I should be doing something more. But what to do?????

Some say that if you are looking for something, read a book. So I searched on line what retirees do to while away time.  I found more than a hundred and one ways .  Most common are:  socialize more, volunteer work,  develop a hobby, do gardening, travel, write a memoir or a book, open a business, babysit, connect closer with family, reconnect with long-time friends, join a book club, teach and read a lot or choose from the above.  

"Do anything that will make you happy", 

 retirement planners say.  "But there is  a major rule for a perfect retirement balance", they further warned.  There is no way a retired person can be happy if he is not financially secure.  There is a need to suit lifestyle with financial capacity.  If a retiree can't financially support his lifestyle, it would be stressful and may cause illness. 

And so it dawned on me that I'm doing great after all. 

I had a business which I closed, 

I babysat, 

I read a lot,  

I FaceTime with my children and 5-year-old grandson weekly, 

I travel at least once a year, 

I garden,

I crochet,

I walk 4-5 kilometers a day, 

I always aim to prepare healthy meals,

I blog 

and

I'm happy. 

I therefore conclude that retirement life is how we want it to be.  In the end it will boil down to the choices we make.