Are you retired?  How long did it take to find your new norm? 

I recently retired for the third time. Yes, third time, they say, it’s a charm, so we will see. I am struggling to fill my time with “active” things. I can read all day or do movie/series marathons, but I need something that has movement in it. 

I live in Arizona, so this time of year, outdoor activity is limited due to the temperatures. I know lots of people still get outside and do things, but I just don’t handle the heat well. Exercise has always been difficult and never fun; it was always a chore I had to do.

So, finding a balance of something I like to do that has some movement in it.  Don’t misunderstand, I am not looking for someone to tell me to join a pickleball league or take up hiking.  That is not what I am looking for, although those are appealing for occasional activities.  

For instance, my husband likes to work on cars and reload ammo.  So, for him, he can be up and “active” all day doing those things. And he can do them every day and enjoy it.  

What do I like?  No idea is the problem.  I love writing, but that puts me sitting all day long, which is what I don’t want to do.

I love to travel, and we are doing a fair amount of that. 

I have been attempting to declutter and purge things from our home.  It is very freeing when you can actually let go of stuff.  It not only frees up space in the home, but in your mind as well.  So much nicer to put clothes away when you don’t have to force them into the drawer or closet. 

We are tossing around the idea of downsizing our home, and it will be much easier if there is less stuff.  We are now empty nesters and like traveling, so we don’t need all this space.  Now to find a smaller house with the same-sized garage! 

RIght before the temps rose here in Arizona, I started digging up a huge planter area by our pool. There are two side by side and ever since the palm trees died, they have kind of just been eye sores.  I had this fun idea to take everything out and plant some things in pots and arrange them whimsically in these areas.  Ok so I had the idea like 5 years ago and never did anything about it.  Decided to start now since I don’t have to go to work every day.  It is not progressing as fast as I would like so I get very frustrated and then I leave it alone for weeks on end.  A visious cycle to say the least.  I also do not have a green thumb so I worry I will kill everything and it will look bad all the time HAHA.

My other cycle is I think of things to do, like the planters, but everything costs money, lots of money.  And when you are retired you are a little more aware of your spending.

I worry way too much, just ask my husband!

So all of that to say, how do you fill your days?  Did you have hobbies before you retired and you are now able to do them all the time?  Or did you “find” new things to take up your time?

Tell me what a normal day of retirement is for you……….