Page 43 - Seniorstoday September 21
P. 43
views. There is now time for that after your peace of mind that’s added on each hour of
workday. every day.
Retirement extends this quality time The balancing act of each day becomes
manifold. Day after day of close proximity more doable, some part of your day
to your spouse, hours of being in the same knocking off bothersome stuff, the ‘got
room, eating all meals together and TV time to do’ stuff, followed by leisurely walks,
together too. staring at the sky or a catch-up call with
So what we really want post retirement, friends.
or rather what we really do not want our Know that you will miss the give-and-take
lives to be post retirement, is what you can of your work life and your work family,
narrow down on if you begin your research prepare yourself for this inevitable loss in
a couple of years in advance. It will hold your life, your colleagues, your celebrated
you in good stead for the long run. More so, birthdays at work, your shared tears for the
validate all that you want your retirement loss of a colleague or loved ones and many
life to be. small things that were a huge part of your
life. Even though you know you will keep
in touch with your few, you will miss work
and your work family.
Suddenly your TV is on all day with the
same news blaring on all channels, you
are more active in posting stories on social
media and liking others posts and tweets.
You will get sucked into this vortex. On the
other hand, reading online on a plethora of
subjects, watching episodes of soaps from
so many earlier unheard-of portals, you
Dos and Don’ts are now current, repeat watching is also a
Some key takeaways after dabbling in a possibility. No time for boredom.
‘faux-tirement’: Meals are no longer out of a can or frozen
Get rid of all extra crockery, cutlery, linen, TV boxes. Each meal is planned around
artifacts, sorting out years of photographs health, fresh produce and even décor. What
lying in a box, getting clarity on your an amazing change. Cooking and sipping
parents estate, during these ‘faux-tirement’ wine are all a pleasure, stove to plate is
periods, so when you actually need to possible, the carcinogenic microwave can
down-size you wont have so much stuff to now be junked and you can finally get rid
deal with. Shorten that daunting to-do list. of the guilt of owning one. Walking sixteen
During these periods of ‘faux-tirement’ thousand steps while listening to podcasts
you can have the experience of what it is no longer a distant dream. Health is
feels like not to multitask and focus on wealth and I’m now up for grabs. After all
single tasks, complete one and then move people who retire in good health are a lucky
to the next. Nothing is the end of the world lot.
anymore. You are able to do a better job What about the change in wardrobe, its
of things, enjoy doing them and notice the now ‘dress for comfort’ move away ‘dress to
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #27 | SEPTEMBER 2021 43
