Hello Retirement!
Apr. 22nd, 2021 02:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitAs 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!
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!
no subject
Date: 2021-04-24 04:22 pm (UTC)