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Two Weeks Into Retirement and I’m
Exhausted
May 13, 2000
Blaine Parks
I sat in my office
for those final days and couldn’t help daydreaming about retirement.
I dreamt about the upcoming days when I wouldn’t have to get up
early, fight rush-hour traffic, deal with office politics, and could just
go at my own pace. Our
cruising lifestyle was just around the corner.
Well, April 28 was my last day in the office and I have to
tell you, I’m absolutely exhausted!
A
coworker described retirement this way --
“Every day is like Saturday, except Sunday when the paper is a
little thicker.” I pined
for that type of retirement until I thought about my Saturday schedules.
Saturdays normally meant mowing our 2 acres of grass, weeding, boat
maintenance, house cleaning, dog washing, and then collapsing into the
rockers on our front porch just in time for sunset.
Sunday was always the more relaxing day.
And, I haven’t seen any “Sundays” in my retirement yet.
I’m so busy that I wonder how I ever found time to go to work.
There have
been house projects to complete because we’re obviously selling the
house to go sailing. I’ve
also come to believe that the boat projects are unending.
It appears that every time I complete a boat project, two more are
added to the list. Those of
you with boats are probably familiar with this phenomenon.
Our boat is also located 2 ½ hours from our home.
This makes for me splitting my time between the house and the boat.
I find myself making that long commute several times a week.
Hell, my drive to work was a piece of cake compared to that!
I’m
rising earlier than ever before. I’m
getting to bed later than ever before.
My body hurts from muscles I haven’t used in years.
And my nose is pink from a fresh sunburn.
But, I am having the time of my life.
The sense of accomplishment when you finish a boat project or get
one step closer to actually cruising is tremendous.
I’m just hoping that the cruising lifestyle has a few more
“Sundays” then the retirement lifestyle.
For those
of you who want to relax a little, stay employed.
It’s much easier than retirement.
See you on
the water. |
