​The Modern Retiree: 5 Ways I’m Staying Sharp and Social

 

Angel Island, San Francisco, Old Post Office
Building Structure 

It's been what, almost 9 months since I retired from my position with the University. Worked there for almost 23+ years. In that time, I've promptly eliminated any notion of work related communication, i.e. emails, subscriptions, and any communication with my old colleagues. But with the exception of colleagues who've moved on to the retirement world. We try not to talk about work, but simply the commonality of why we left the building to this day. 

In addition being "checked out" from work, I've started my favorite thing to do which is travel local and international, also visiting friends and family at an extended amount of time. I don't have anywhere to go, so why the rush to get back home? Which leads to this question. How am I spending my days since retiring? There's only so much traveling one can do, or spend time with friends and family. That may be a third of the time, what about the other remaining time? 

Clearly, as the dust settles, and I'm fully fledged as a retiree, I knew I had to organize my reclaimed time of 40+ hours. Below are 5 ways, I've so far found the best time to fill my days. 

• STRUCTURE 

One of the best ways to wean off from what you've been doing for years is to redirect with a new structure. Every day, I have things I must do to keep myself in check. I wake up with an alarm clock on my phone to get my day going. Every day, including weekends. The night before I prepare my coffee set up, learned this from an ex who was quite animate on how things were done. Called planning. 

In the morning, all I have to do is press the button and coffee brews. I might go back to old school and get a coffee maker with a timer, but I like the fact I can walk myself to the kitchen and turn on the Keurig machine. From there, watch some news on TV to hear about any thing that is important for me to know. Next, I make my bed. Nothing feels better than to have a bed made everyday. It's the one thing that is geared as accomplished for the day. Plus, I like being tidy and ready for the day with a made bed. (I live in a studio apartment, so it's part of my layout in the apartment. 

I get to my desk and check my emails and respond to anything pressing. Check my financial outlook for the day, then I'm all set.  These moves set the tone for the day and how to react with information your given. I find structure gives me some control to start my day right, a little purpose to begin the day. 

Video Clip: Making Coffee 

• BE ACTIVE 

This one is a must. You begin to get lazy at times, but don't let up. Everyday, I have to move. Whether it's a morning yoga, or a walk in the afternoon or going to the gym. I have to move my body. I even take breaks when I'm on my laptop, move every 90 minutes I'm told. But this is one action that puts me in check. Like the Nike brand says, "Just Do It". I couldn't agree more. 

Getting ready for a bike ride
from SF Ferry Building to Golden Gate Bridge

• FOCUS ON HEALTH

What I've noticed on this particular step is that it's inconsistent. When your working, you generally have 3 meals a day right? But as a retiree, I seem to put the breaks on this, don't know why, but I have to remind myself that eating a balanced diet can sustain me especially at this stage in my life. I avoid processed foods, fried foods, chips, and desserts, unless it's a special occasion. I've even passed on carbonated sugary drinks, even juice, lots of sugar. Don't forget, to drink a lot of water. Alcohol can also mess you up, so drink moderately. 

Before I retired, I made sure I had all of my health check ups, including dentist, eye exam, the works. Thank goodness for health coverage in retirement, but we can't neglect our health, it's mandatory. 

Taking a break for lunch (Banh Mi vietnamese sandwich) on Angel Island, San Francisco bay

• KEEPING IN TOUCH 

I found this one a bit perplexing for me. I've worked with so many people in my working life and the last thing I wanted to do was continuing in acquiring more connection. It's farther from the truth I'm told. If anything it's super important to keep in touch with people, friends, and family. Loneliness can creep in, equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Maybe it's a lull, that I really don't want to be around people, I want my time to myself, on my terms. But we have to be careful we don't isolate ourselves. So, this one is paramount. 

Today, I have to make effort more than ever to keep in touch with family, friends, and acquire new friends to hobbies to keep myself sane and relevant. I have all this time right? But the fact is, if you want things to happen, YOU have to initiate, whether we like it or not. It's ongoing for me, i.e. trying to strike up a conversation with other gym bunnies or during a work out at the gym. We have to make effort to say connected. Stat! 

• MENTAL HEALTH

Finally, to reclaim 40+ hours of your time to do with whatever you choose has become overwhelming. Do I travel for a month, do I visit friends on the fly, or I watch YouTube all day eating bon bons? I seem to struggle with this. I know I can recalibrate myself to use these added hours back to better myself. In this instance, Like everyone else before me who has retired, cleaned out the apartment, decluttered, and do a clean slate of things. But as I sit on my sofa I can't help that I'm not settled in yet. This one is a work in progress (WIP). 

My initial steps are to embed structure by reading a chapter in a book, and settle my mind with wanting to do so many things. Some have said, "to just be." I can agree to that, be a little selfish on your own time, do things that matter to you most. Don't worry if some projected hasn't been completed. You can get to it. Don't be overwhelmed. Breath. 

The journey continues...

Angel Island, San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge in the distance