Hello Retirement!

[smallhobbit]

As I said last week, I took early retirement at the end of March.  I was only working part-time before, and at the beginning of November I had cut back from four 5 hour days to three 4 hour days.  That time was quickly used up by volunteering at Gloucestershire Bundles on my newly free morning and having a less rushed lunch break.

Now, I am 'free' all the time!  The plan was to take it easy, with no additional long-term commitments for a while, and just use the time to relax and catch up on the 'To Be Done' pile - see my goals post for 2021/22.  With the thought that given lockdown easing and better weather we could have days out whenever we wished.

However, in the space of about 50 hours that all changed.  Not that I'm complaining, just surprised at how quickly it happened.  First, I've applied to do a course on Growth in Reflective Living, purely for my own benefit.  That's an evening course, and if I'm accepted, I now have the ability to move evening craft and writing activities into the day.

Then Bundles asked me if I'd like to become the Treasurer, since I was doing all the finance stuff anyway.  It is a logical next step, especially as the grant applications I'm making ask for financial information so I might as well do the job properly.  And, of course, if I was to be the Treasurer, would I like to become a Trustee and join the Board.  From previous jobs I've done I've seen how important it is for trustees/board members to have an idea about the state of the finances, so yes, I want the charity to succeed, so it's a worthwhile job and one that my abilities suit.  It will require a bit of extra time, but I was already thinking that there were things which needed doing but I hadn't had time for.  This way I'm not volunteering for a third day (which is something I didn't want) but fulfilling my role as Trustee.  Semantics possibly, but the Trustee part I will do at home at times which suit me rather than saying I'm coming in on a particular day.

Finally, we saw my son and granddaughter at the weekend.  She begins school in September, so we have confirmed we will pick her up from school one afternoon a week to enable her mother to continue to work.  The other grandparents will do a different afternoon.  This is one thing I was sure I wouldn't be drawn into a few years ago, but now I have the time and it's my own granddaughter I feel rather different :)

When I was asked why I was retiring I used to say to have the time to do more crafts and other things I wanted to do.  At least I won't get bored!

Comments

[castiron]

Sounds great! Most of the retired folks I know say they're so busy they have no idea how they ever had time to work.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, I really didn't want to be saying that, and I certainly didn't want to feel like I was doing things simply to occupy my time, but these three are ideal for me.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Hurrah! You're free! Enjoy!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much!

[rusty_armour]

Congratulations! That's FANTASTIC news! :-D I hope you enjoy being the Treasurer for Bundles, not to mention having all that extra time to pursue courses, writing and crafts! It's also nice that you'll be picking up your granddaughter from school one afternoon a week. I'm sure you'll like being able to spend more time with her. :-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. Yes, it's all things I want to do, so I'm very happy about it.

[corvidology]

Almost all of the retired people I know are very busy at other things now but they're quick to say they now devote their time to people and things they love and believe in which they really enjoy.

[smallhobbit]

Yes - it seems very strange to have joined that club, but it is true that these are the things which mean something to me, so are worth doing and enjoying.

[kingstoken]

Congratulations!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you!

[mightymads]

Happy new beginning!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much!

[margaret_r]

Your retirement time is certainly going to be well spent:) It's wonderful that you can now do the things you want to and enjoy.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I certainly hadn't planned to commit to so much so soon, but they're all things I do want to do.

[adafrog]

Well, at least you won't get bored. ;)

[smallhobbit]

Very true. While I enjoy the odd day doing not a lot, I didn't want to think I'd have weeks like that.

[adafrog]

ITA.

[shallowness]

Life does take its turns! As others have said, I've heard a lot of people say they are surprised by how busy they get when they retire, but it sound like all these new things are positives and what you want to be doing.

[smallhobbit]

It certainly does. I don't want to be majorly busy, but these are things I do want to do, so I'm quite happy with the decisions.

[debriswoman]

Wishing you well in all you do:-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much.

[luthienberen]

Congratulations on retirement! May it be a long and happy one. :)

My parents have been so busy since they retired I do wonder how they had time to manage previously! I'm glad you are happy with your new timetable and commitments as it were, especially with being a Trustee and picking up your granddaughter.

May the crafting & writing continue apace with more creativity flowing now you have spare time!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. There are so many things to do that it's just good to have the time to do them :)

[kat_lair]

Congratulations on your retirement! I've heard a lot of people seem to get even busier than ever before when they do that but sounds to me like it's just filling the time with all the things you CHOOSE. Enjoy!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I really didn't want to be someone who was saying how much busier they were, but, as you say, these are things I want to do, which makes all the difference.

[verdande_mi]

Enjoy finding a new balance in your life and new adventures. I makes all the sense in the world not to want to add another day you have to be in and instead say yes to something you can do from home.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to it all!

[moth2fic]

I'm absolutely sure she was just born last week...

Happy retirement!You'll soon wonder how you ever had time to do paid labour!!

[smallhobbit]

I know - I find it hard to believe she's 4 and 1/4 now.

Thank you. So I keep being told ;)

[scfrankles]

Somewhat belated but, congratulations on your retirement! ^____^ You always seem to make such good use of your time and I admire you so much for that. Wishing you all the very best with this next stage of your life - it seems odd to call it "retirement" when you will be flinging yourself out into society more than ever ^____^

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. I was determined I would have lots of idle time to myself - which lasted all of about two weeks!