My Retirement fear: Boredom!

Status:  Still Waiting

When I retired in early 2017 I knew I didn't want to keep doing what I'd been doing.  But I wasn't sure I was ready to retire.  If I retired, what would I do?  Would I get bored?  I knew I could be busy and happy for a few months.  But the long term outlook was less clear to me.

On the first day of retirement we were literally in the middle of a kitchen remodel.  (Professionals were doing the work for reasons described here.)  There was a lot for us to do, and before I knew it, four months had gone by.  I settled into other activities after that (hobbies, volunteer work, etc.) and time went merrily by.  I continued to worry if I'd get bored at some point - but I wasn't bored yet.  

Interestingly, I relished doing things that I considered burdens while I was working.  For example, one summer day I was cleaning out the car.  When I was ready to vacuum, I discovered the shop-vac wasn't working very well.  I spent 20 minutes emptying and cleaning it out so it worked like a charm.  When I was working I'd have realized the shop vac was full while preparing the car at midnight for a family outing the next morning. I wouldn't have had the time or energy to empty and clean the vac.  Now, having time available to do something as simple as cleaning a vacuum, feels glorious!

As time has gone by (almost four years at this point), I've found I'm engaged in various activities. One volunteer effort mushroomed to the point that I needed to step back a bit. It was taking a lot of time.  Don't get me wrong, it is (literally) the most satisfying work I've ever done.  But since I want to stay with it for the long haul I know I need to pace myself. Interestingly and very satisfyingly, the new leadership that has come in after my tenure has taken the organization to levels I never could have imagined.

Two years into retirement I decided I was no longer worried about getting bored.  I'm not saying I'm busy.  I'm saying I always have something to do ... and the beauty of retirement is that one can pursue things at any pace they wish.  

-- Jim