Jun 02 2008
Joys of Retirement THREE - Slowing Down
The Joys of Retirement - the Joy of Slowing Down
I’m thinking that this will be a short post to write…since I am slowing down. I guess there are several ways to think about slowing down: slower walking, slower eating, slower heartbeat, slower sex, etc., but I’m most interested in the mental and emotional states than the physical, although the physical aspects of slowing down are real enough.
But I am trying to write about the “joy” so here we go:
Emotionally, I just don’t get so upset and riled about things that used to bother me a LOT. I think being able to “let go” of issues, to allow other people’s quirks and mannerisms and bad habits to not get me upset…that is a lot of emotional progress for me. As for politics and government…where I spent most of my working years…what a relief to finally let go of that. Emotionally, I feel much more satisfied with life. My wife would call it being out of the “fog.”
Mentally, I can’t recall things as fast as I used to, but it is still all in there. I find that it doesn’t bother me to not beat out the contestants on Jeopardy. I am a little slower with remembering names, but I was always really good with that, so I’m still on a par with most folks-of any age. I am more relaxed mentally; free to think about creative things or projects, or upcoming holidays and birthdays. My mind is not so cluttered with job stuff-and there used to be plenty of job clutter. For sure.
Yes, I am quite content; I guess being content is a sign of slowing down. If so, it is a good sign.
Ok, lets try this again. I left a comment on the Retirement Challenge THREE - Keeping Fit post and it disappeared. Is that why there are so few comments on your pages or do you have to approve each comment first before it’s posted?
Well now I see how this site ‘works’ as there is a delay in the comment posting. I went to edit the above comment and when I tried to join the site I got a Public Registration is Closed reply.
As for slowing down I am looking forward to that day … after the kitchen it updated, the siding on the garage is replaced, my cabin is completed, we have changed our landscape to be more in tune with Colorado Springs high desert climate, …
TJ, yes, I am pretty new to this and still trying to determine the best settings. I appreciated your comment about yoga practice and it now appears on the Keeping Fit post.
Gruggers
I could not agree with you more. As an older person I find myself forgetting little things. But I also realize that if I am forgetting them they can’t be that important. And it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to that I haven’t remembered them. I have learned to be more flexible and accepting of help from others and this has led to more friendships.