Retirement…Again!
Are you retired? How long did it take you to find your new normal, your reitrement rhythm?
I recently retired for the third time. Yes, third time! They say the third time’s a charm, so we’re about to find out.
One thing I’ve quickly discovered is that I’m struggling to fill my days with things that keep me both busy and active. I could easily spend an entire day reading a good book or binge-watching a television series, but I know that’s not the kind of retirement I want….I need movement….I need purpose…..I need something that gets me off the couch.
Looking for the Right Kind of Activity
Living in Arizona doesn’t make that search any easier this time of year. Summer temperatures can make outdoor activities challenging. I know plenty of people who hike, golf, or stay active despite the heat, but I’ve never handled extreme temperatures very well.
Exercise has never been something I naturally enjoy. It’s always felt more like something I should do than something I want to do.
So now I’m trying to find that happy medium—activities that keep me moving without feeling like exercise.
And no, before anyone suggests it, I’m not necessarily looking to join a pickleball league or become an avid hiker. Those sound fun once in a while, but they’re probably not something I’d want to do every day.
What Do I Actually Enjoy?
My husband has no problem filling his days.
He loves working on cars….He enjoys reloading ammunition….He can spend an entire day in the garage, stay busy from morning until night, and absolutely love every minute of it.
Then I ask myself…
What do I enjoy?
Honestly?
I’m still trying to figure that out.
I love writing. I could write for hours. But writing also means sitting at a desk most of the day, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid.
Of course, I love to travel, and thankfully we’re doing a fair amount of that. But even travel has its breaks between adventures.
Simplifying Our Lives
One project that has been surprisingly satisfying is decluttering our home.
There’s something incredibly freeing about letting go of things you no longer use or need. It doesn’t just create more room in your closets—it creates more room in your mind. Putting clothes away is much easier when you’re not forcing them into an already overstuffed drawer.
We’ve even started talking about downsizing someday.
Now that we’re empty nesters and spend so much time traveling, we really don’t need all the space we currently have.
The challenge?
Finding a smaller house…
…with the same-sized garage!
Projects That Never Seem to End
Just before Arizona’s summer heat arrived, I decided it was finally time to tackle one of those projects I’d been putting off for years.
Literally years.
Beside our pool are two large planter areas that have been empty ever since the palm trees died. For at least five years I’ve imagined removing everything, filling the spaces with decorative pots, colorful plants, and creating a whimsical little garden.
Retirement seemed like the perfect time to finally make it happen.
Reality has been a little different.
Progress has been slow, I get frustrated, I walk away from it for weeks at a time, and then I come back inspired all over again.
It’s a vicious cycle.
And since I definitely wasn’t blessed with a green thumb, there’s always that little voice in my head saying…
“What if I kill everything?”
Retirement and Reality
There’s another challenge I’ve discovered about retirement.
Every new idea seems to cost money.
Whether it’s a home project, a new hobby, or learning something new, it all comes with a price tag. And when you’re retired, you’re naturally a little more aware of where your money goes.
Maybe I worry too much.
Actually…
Don’t ask me.
Ask my husband.
He’ll gladly confirm it.
Tell Me About Your Retirement
So that’s where I find myself these days.
Still figuring it out…Still searching for my rhythm……Still trying to discover what retirement looks like for me.
Now I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re retired, how long did it take before you found your new normal?
Did you already have hobbies that naturally filled your days?
Did retirement give you more time to enjoy what you already loved?
Or did you discover something completely new?
I’d genuinely love to hear what a typical day in retirement looks like for you.
Maybe your story will inspire the next chapter of ours.