I am looking at a total of 40 months before I join the crowd of retired folks. I remember when I was a kid the question was asked so many times… “What do you want to be when you grow up”? It’s funny that now I am asking myself the same type of question, “What do I want to do when I retire”?
There are so many things that I want to do right now but just can’t fit into my current schedule. I suppose when no longer have a working day schedule I will certainly find time for them. The one thing I miss from my childhood is recreation. I used to love to play sports and I suppose I will again bring those things back to life. Things like basketball, tennis, golf, hiking and riding a bicycle. I will live in an area where it doesn’t rain all of the time like the Pacific Northwest. I will read and take courses of my highest interest and maybe get my fitness trainer certification once again so I can help others become more healthy. I want to certify in Whole Food Plant Based lifestyle and teach these principles to others.
It’s will be like having the opportunity to start life all over again. I can see myself hanging out in the community garden with others nurturing my organic gardens. I see myself attending pot luck plant based dinners and sharing idea’s and recipes. I see my wife and I taking historical tours and river cruises. I see us visiting places to observe the beauty of nature while we drive from Pennsylvania to Florida and back each year. I see myself playing with my grandchildren on the beach and spending quiet time to share my life with them.
We have been planning for that day for a long time and will continue in our mission to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to ensure the proper financing to get to where we want to be. I am practicing all of the things I need to practice to keep my mind and body in good health. Yea, just another 40 months…
Simple Living Over 50 
Moved. Wonderful post.
You seem to enjoy writing. Have you thought about this as a retirement vocation?
I have as I have actually started writing several books. I will keep this thought saved for the future.
“I am practicing all of the things I need to practice….” This is the key. Retiring broke and broken is no way to enjoy it. I have more than six years until the possibility of retirement, so I’m trying to improve myself and my home. (For good or ill, I will not be moving.)
We are looking at retirement communities. I think that it will serve us well. Good luck on your mission, it appears you too are on a mission. 🙂
Ah. you youngsters make me smile.
My own days to do is 664 days until retirement although we will start applying for our old age pensions a month before that as in the UK everything sucks regarding officialdom i.e. oil paint at 32F drys faster than our very uncivil civil servants in government departments work.
One thing I did when I stopped working for a regular living is flood myself with involvement in so many things that it was a bit overwhelming. I’m still much involved in community life but now I leave time for those ‘now’ moments. Being where you feel you are meant to be and doing what you feel compelled to do ~ it’s a fantastic feeling but I’m still working on it. Good luck!
I’m sure just like any other chapter in our lives it is a work in progress. I’m sure I will find my groove.
I’m sure you will. Exciting though.
A year into retirement, after pursuing my long forgotten interests, I needed something more. You mentioned personal training. I got certified at age 65, did personal training, started strength training classes for “seniors”, taught a variety of strength training classes. I absolutely loved the sociability of it, turning people on to working with weights, and watching people change for the better (sometimes). I’ve documented some in my blog, Fit for Rest of Your Life (https://fitforrestofyourlife.com). Now, at age 72, I’m looking to expand my influence to not only fitness but the social and psychological aspects of aging, so I feel I’m on a similiar quest again. We can just keep reinventing ourselves! Want to let you know about Chip Conley’s Modern Elder Academy (https://www.modernelderacademy.com). I’m going there the beginning of February! Also, his book would be a great read for you, Wisdom at Work, the Making of a Modern Elder.
Wow! I am very impressed. I am going to look more into your blog and also check out the Chip Conley. Thanks so much for the info. 🙂