Article #2: What Do I Do??

A friend asked me a question on this blog, “What do you do?”. I am assuming the real question is, “What do you do all day, without a job?”.

In simple words, now I do things that I had no time or energy for before, or I felt too guilty to do.

1. I got a dog: I have wanted a dog all my life. I knew I couldn’t get one while I had a job, as the dog needs my presence and care more than I could provide, being away for 10 hours a day at work. So, about 6 months after leaving my job, I got a puppy!
2. I walk, walk and walk:

• Morning – I wake up every morning and take my dog for a long walk. I walk for about an hour and sit in the park for half an hour. I play with other dogs or kids, depending on my mood and who is available.
• Evening – I repeat this in the evening too. I let my dog play with kids in the colony/complex in the evening. The kids adore my dog and she seems to tolerate them quite tolerably.
• Night: I take my dog out again in the night.

(So cumulatively, most days I walk my dog and myself for 3 plus hours a day. I have always loved walking, and now I thoroughly indulge in it to my heart’s content. Because, I have retired early, I am capable of walking A LOT.)

3. I play badminton at 9am on weekdays and Zumba in the evening

4. I go eat south Indian breakfast three times a week at 10am

4. I read anytime: I read when I want. I started collecting books recently, and I have a small bookshelf of books and comics that interest me. I also read online books. I just sit in my recliner and while away hours reading.

3. I write anytime : I am a wannabe writer. I have written several pieces of work, finished as well as unfinished. I suddenly form an idea and start writing. I might publish one day, but for now, I am happy with this blog 😉

4. Dates with self on weekdays: I like spending time with myself. I take myself out for coffee, movie, lunch or shopping dates. I seem to be a good companion for myself, and i definitely seem to be interested in my opinions. The best thing about these dates are that I am able to go around in the off-peak times! less traffic, less crowds!

5. Afternoon Naps: I don’t seem to do this often, but I do it now and then. I was never the kind to nap in the afternoons, as I wont have had the time. But now, it seems possible and an available pass-time.

6. Errands & chores anytime/week days: Errands and chores do not go away. I actually spend more time on these now. Tidying up the place, ironing my bedsheets, doing laundry… It all doesn’t seem hurried anymore, so I actually enjoy doing it. I don’t need to wait till the weekend to catch up on the chores, or cram my weekend with them as I have time NOW!

7. New experiences anytime/week days: There is added pressure on me, because I feel I have an obligation to “enjoy” my retirement. So I end up going to newer places, meeting more people, trying out different foods.

8. Vacations anytime (No need for applying for vacation days)

But……. As a retired person, I believe one HAS to be comfortable with “doing nothing” too. I think that’s probably my biggest win! I completely enjoy doing NOTHING. I can sit in my balcony staring at nothing, sipping tea and thinking about random things. If I couldn’t do this, I don’t think I would enjoy being retired. The time I do NOTHING is the ME time I cherish! I live for these times, and I feel inconvenienced when i cut these short for any reason…

So, now you can see…. I AM A VERY BUSY PERSON INDEED!