Retirement

By Sally Giles. Wynn Vale, SA

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I have found, as I am retired, that the things which bring me the most pleasure and happiness are the simple, easy things. I love my small garden, I have gradually changed the plants that were struggling due to poor soil and haphazard watering to succulents, natives, and geraniums. This change has made the garden a much cheerier, happy place. The plants aren’t struggling, and I am much happier with healthy plants.

I have discovered reading again. When I was working, there was a long period I could not read much because the minute I relaxed and opened a book I dozed off. So it was difficult to follow a story in ten minute bursts. I have also discovered the joy of audio books and am always listening to one. I believe that someone must have read to me as a child, because having a story read to me is amazing. I have listened to some excellent books and really enjoy this.

All my working life I thought, when I retire I will travel. That is all I wanted to do. When I retired there was a global pandemic and I could not go anywhere, even interstate, for a while. So it has been a staying home retirement and I am not unhappy about it. The thought of getting sick overseas or getting caught up in one of the global situations at the moment is not a happy thought. Perhaps I am watching too much news or reading too many newspapers but going overseas has lost its fascination at present. Will it come back? I am not sure, but in the meantime, visiting my grandchildren interstate and going to an art course every year satisfies my travelling urges

I have discovered some new hobbies: creative writing and poetry. These hobbies involve very little expense, nothing is required apart from a pen and paper, and lots of practice. A simple, engrossing way to spend a few hours. And attending a writing group is endlessly fascinating, and I have made some interesting new friends.

Ageing and being retired is definitely the best time of my life. I am off the treadmill and staying there!! I am still on the treadmill and listening to audible at the gym, but I am not on the wage slave, politicking world of work treadmill anymore. Now I am learning to meditate. It is difficult and challenging, but I am trying to practice every day.

When I talk to others who are still working and are terrified of retirement, I don’t even know what to say anymore. I remember being like that myself. I had read too much rubbish in the media about how much money you need (you don’t), how lonely and isolated you will be (you aren’t). No one tells you you will be relaxed and enjoying life, and it is easier to make friends when you’re not stressed and exhausted. I loved my job when I worked but my job did not love me back. Now my life feels so much more enjoyable. This feels like how life should always have been.