When I was young and the most dreaded thing in my life was the ring of my alarm clock every weekday morning, I remember longing for the day when it would never trouble me again. And now that I’m enjoying what I perceived to be ideal bliss, I cannot help but wonder if my work should have continued for just a little while longer…cannot help but weigh the pros and cons against each other…
Pro – Smelling the Roses
Yesterday I took a walk out in the garden and came across a lovely sight – my cherry tree in the backyard was in full blossom. Little drops of dew settled on the blooms, catching the reflecting rays of the sun. I couldn’t help but contemplate how many of these wondrous sights I have previously missed.
Con – The Boredom
As a socially active person, it is pretty difficult for me to spend time with myself alone in the house. My choice of activities are limited and there is only so much television that one can watch.
Pro – Time with the Family
My house has actually become a reconciliation point of the entire family and I love it! The best thing is being able to catch up with my children and my sisters. Watching silly soaps on the TV while sharing a bottle of wine between us – sublime.
Con – Busy Busy Family
Being the eldest amongst my siblings and the first to retire, it is strange to find my role shifting from ‘most proactive’ to ‘least active’ in a sudden twist. All my sisters are working, my children have work, my grandchildren have school. Sighs.
Pro – My Memoirs
This is something I have always wanted to do. My afternoons are now occupied with my post-lunch pot of tea, and my pen and notepad. I still spend over five minute silently giggling to myself when I remember how my best friend and I sneaked in a spider in our teacher’s desk drawer and the screams that preceded it!
Con – Lack of touch with the Real World
Being at home also means I am completely out of touch with the real world. There’s only that much television news which can hold my interest, and I often find myself missing live discussions with my colleagues and friends.
Pro – Time for Games
The best thing for me in that I can finally indulge in all the fun and games I have always loved, but never had the time for. The weekly neighborhood poker games are quickly becoming the highlight of my week.
Con – Losing organizational skills
Getting out and organizing something is slowly becoming something of a challenge for me, even though previously it was a very simple matter for me. I also sense myself losing my self confidence and that is a scary thought.
Pro – Time to Enhance my Creativity
I can actually happily watch the food channel and start making those heavenly desserts which always look so good on the television! And I finally have the time to keep doing them over and over again till I finally get it right!
Con – The Laziness
The saying “An Idle mind is a Devil’s workshop” is actually something I am finding to be true. I have somehow found myself losing initiative to do even the simplest of things like making the bed, watering the plants, washing the dishes, etc. it is hard to reconcile this version of myself to what I used to be prior to my retirement.
Yet, at the end of the day, life’s a cycle and I am the kind of person who has always sought the silver lining in every cloud. Retirement – bring it on, I will truly be making a success of it!
