It took me retiring a few times and moving into a much smaller home (log cabin from the 1800's) to realize the joy of living each day as simply as possible. Retiring and downsizing was probably the only way that I would have gotten off of the treadmill of my busy life. I talked the talk of slowing down, but truth be known, I did not want to and did not know how to even begin to start this next phase in life.
I really want to write more about where I am now, but feel that I need to talk a bit about the busy life I am coming off of to put this transition into some perspective for those that don't know me.
Up until now, I prided myself on my major mega multitasking skills. Like so many, I've always worked more than full time, raised two children, married two great guys (still married to the best one), kept a nice home and volunteered at church and at my kids school. Add to that, owning/operating several businesses, apartments, several bed and breakfasts, a restaurant/bakery, storage units, antique shop and taking college classes on line and in person and making handmade crafts to sell online and at a local store. Oh, and, living on a really beautiful hobby farm with lots of animals (horses, sheep, llamas, goats, peacocks, chickens and anything that needed a home) and also had many gardens to keep (cut flower, perennial and big vegetable gardens/fruit trees). We routinely bought, turned and sold homes many times, but we ended up renovating and then living in and loving the hobby farm home/barn, etc. for several years.
My husband has a very similar personality to mine, but on the exterior he appears to be very laid back...compared to my plugged in at all times look. He has always owned/operated a construction company and was always on the hunt for a new business venture or a house to turn. And, he always willingly worked right along next to me with all of our endeavors. I never doubted that I couldn't keep all of it rolling along, I could and I (we) did. I loved all of the adventures and have 100's of fun great memories...I am grateful for all of the successes of these endeavors, but I am So so ready to not be fully embedded in that pace anymore.
FAST FORWARD...we sold a lot of our stuff from a very large home (the hobby farm in WI) and moved to an old log cabin in the UP of Michigan that is in the middle of 100's of acres. We are slowly renovating/remodeling the log cabin. If we do one of the 'to do' things on the list each day...that's great...or none, and/or go for a long walk, that's okay too.
I have filled a whole two bedroom mobile home (that is also on our property) with my craft collection...my husband has asked me on a number of occasions if my hobby is collecting craft parts and pieces or actually making it into something. Well, my love, (he's actually very supportive of all I do) I am now retired and now have and will make the time to really get into my crafts. I have been selling crafts for a few years....but now, kicking it into full speed ahead (yeah...still a Type A). But, I now really do it at my own rate and make whatever I want....sell to a store and also on line.
I've learned how to create little special, dual purpose spots....because we are now in a much smaller home. I spend a lot of time working on every detail...color, design, use and just generally making it a warm, welcome, fun spot to relax and read, crochet or just sit a spell.
I love collecting eggs from our sweet girls (chickens.. we have peacocks also) each day....I place them carefully in a basket and thank them for their generosity and wonderful addition to our breakfast meals and sweet baked treats. I, in return give them table scraps and hold and talk to them each day. When they are let out of their coop each morning, they follow us back to the house and sit in the sun on the porch...and watch for the chance to slip into the house when the door opens Chickens really are entertaining...I love to sit on the porch and watch their days activities and listen to their conversations.
I now really also enjoy putting the chickens and peacocks to bed, saying goodnight and listening to their goodnight interactions and sounds...I used to run out to the coop when I would think of it and sometimes either lock out or push the dawdlers by the door into the coop (with a broom) 'cause....I've got stuff to do ladies....let's go let's go...I don't have all night. I really don't do that anymore, I just patiently watch the process happen...also I go out later at night when most of them are already in the coop and I bring treats....whatever works.
I do find myself thinking more deeply about everything that I do and doing it with intent...not just go through the motion to get it done, and then move onto the next, like an assembly line. I do miss the high of doing twenty things at once...but I do not miss tensely holding my shoulders up to my ears most of the time (and needing to remind myself to drop them)...holding a phone while doing something else, a lot of computer use, tension, etc. I enjoy deeper more in-depth conversations with my sweet husband (hopefully he does too) instead of us going over the 'to do' list every time we were together. I love taking long baths (not quick showers) and listening to music all day long....not just in the vehicle when I was driving from A to B to C, etc. I love planning special meals and baking wonderful new recipes and pulling chairs over in front of our fireplace on a cold night or by the pond on a warm day, or going out onto one of the decks with our many bird friends stopping by for a seed from our many feeders. We don't just talk about beautiful days and nights...we go out into them and really enjoy the sites and sounds (owls and the birds all having their end of day conversations).
There definitely are times in your life when you just can't really slow down because life just keeps moving and you have to keep up....but now I don't have to...at first I missed my busy life. I honestly loved being so busy that I never ever had to think up something to do. My husband and I both thrived and thoroughly enjoyed our busy life. This transition definitely takes some time and adjustment...and, it is becoming more of my everyday.....everyday. I've learned to fill and replace with something new and fulfilling. Still busy, just different busy. Shoulders are now in the normal relaxed position (most of the time).
I've taken the jump into the lovely warm pool of retirement and I've willingly surrendered....and it feels like a really good thing for me....
