A run-arounder -- a term I coined this morning -- is not what you think. I just thought I'd perk up this day that started out rainy and dreary with a racy title. At least a racier title than I generally put on a post.
I've been a little fanatic about putting structure in my retired life. My work life -- in the last three jobs I've had -- has been extremely structured. For the last nineteen years I was part of a government agency that was based on military structure, with most of the employees wearing uniforms, and we even had badges. Surprisingly, I did okay with it. We operated a large system that ran 365 days a year. Snow, sleet and rain didn't stop us. We only closed for two hurricanes and a strike. There was always something to do and generally more than I could get done in a day.
One of my biggest worries was that I would retire and become a complete slug. I would play games, watch television and eat candy all day, every day. I would go from one hundred miles an hour to zero. I couldn't comprehend that I might settle at a nice cruising speed, with a few fast turns and some idling, and that would be just fine. Actually, that would be great.
I became a "run-arounder," even in retirement. I ran around a lot, and just like my working days. I kept to a tight schedule, even if there were mornings I just wanted to watch "Today." Thursday mornings at 9:05 a.m. are for exercise class and no slacking off. This morning I heard the alarm at 7:30 and saw the rain coming down. It was gray and dreary and I turned off the alarm, flipped on "Today," and enjoyed being at home. I think I'm starting to get it. I don't have cruise control yet, but I'm getting there and it's sweet.
One thing I did find on my neighborhood walk today is that the "cronut" has become part of our landscape. It is a doughnut/croissant with cream filling. It is also a nutritional nightmare. I will probably break down at some point and try one, but I am happy to announce that I walked by the store not once, but twice and did not buy one. Maybe when Trish and Sheilagh are here, we can buy one for the three of us. They are the food fad for this summer.
Tomorrow I'm off on a shopping expedition. My list is pretty practical. I've got new sneakers at the top, followed by a black sweater. They are the two basics of my wardrobe. No worry, I'll be back for Random 5 Friday, one of my favorite parts of the week. Have a great Friday!
I've been a little fanatic about putting structure in my retired life. My work life -- in the last three jobs I've had -- has been extremely structured. For the last nineteen years I was part of a government agency that was based on military structure, with most of the employees wearing uniforms, and we even had badges. Surprisingly, I did okay with it. We operated a large system that ran 365 days a year. Snow, sleet and rain didn't stop us. We only closed for two hurricanes and a strike. There was always something to do and generally more than I could get done in a day.
One of my biggest worries was that I would retire and become a complete slug. I would play games, watch television and eat candy all day, every day. I would go from one hundred miles an hour to zero. I couldn't comprehend that I might settle at a nice cruising speed, with a few fast turns and some idling, and that would be just fine. Actually, that would be great.
I became a "run-arounder," even in retirement. I ran around a lot, and just like my working days. I kept to a tight schedule, even if there were mornings I just wanted to watch "Today." Thursday mornings at 9:05 a.m. are for exercise class and no slacking off. This morning I heard the alarm at 7:30 and saw the rain coming down. It was gray and dreary and I turned off the alarm, flipped on "Today," and enjoyed being at home. I think I'm starting to get it. I don't have cruise control yet, but I'm getting there and it's sweet.
Tomorrow I'm off on a shopping expedition. My list is pretty practical. I've got new sneakers at the top, followed by a black sweater. They are the two basics of my wardrobe. No worry, I'll be back for Random 5 Friday, one of my favorite parts of the week. Have a great Friday!
12 comments
For some reason, I found this reassuring, Carol!
Being obsessively structured myself, I've wondered!
The cronut craze made all the local newscasts a few weeks ago when a Phoenix bakery began offering them. So far, I'm not tempted ... but I'd like to hear your impression when/if you succumb! :)
Hugs,
Myra
I'm glad you're able to slow down a bit without feeling guilt over it. When my husband retired, he had a hard time with not having anywhere he HAD to go for a while. He eventually got busy with his own things, but it took a while. Earlier this year, I dropped from full time to 32 hours a week. I'm still working on making my free time count without getting too structured.
I continued to stay very structured my first year of retirement. Now I have been able to figure out how to pace myself and to rid myself of guilt for not accounting for every hour of the day. Structure will always be a part of my life, I still need to accomplish things, but there are days that I just relax and watch the third hour of the Today show. I no longer have to be a morning person. I have the whole day to do the things I need and "want" to do.
I can't wait to try those, they look YUMMILICIOUS! I kept my routine up also after retirement! It is the best way to keep the motor running:) Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!
The nicest thing about retirement is that you get to choose your schedule. I think it's great!
That cronut sounds wonderful to me--even though I definitely shouldn't be eating it. Have to see if we have them around our area! Enjoy your retirement--sounds nice to be able to "structure" it any way you like!
I also seem to be more content with some sort of structure, though I must say that it is super nice to be able to watch the "Today" show and work the puzzles in the newspaper.:-)
No temptation for that "cronut" here! I'm sure indigestion would be the result of indulging in one of these "delicacies!"
Enjoy your shopping. Your list seems simple enough. Sometimes those items are the most challenging to locate.
Cronuts haven't shown up here yet, thank God!
I've heard about those cronuts. Tempting for sure. Glad you are taking time to just be without running around.
They are selling the cronuts at the Minnesota State Fair this year. Spell-check doesn't approve of the word cronuts!
You are doing great with retirement - - - scheduled enough to do the things you want and/or need to do - - - but relaxed enough to take the day off when desired. By staying in during the rain, you may have saved yourself from a fall - - or getting chilled - - - or who knows what. One thing I have enjoyed about TV since retirement is I have learned some useful things - - ranging from recipes to good upcoming TV movies!
No thanks for me on the cronut, too. My stomach is not used to that much heaviness.
I'm not retired but neither do I work full time anymore. I find there are plenty of things to fill my time. I do enjoy some down days too.
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