I can happily report that I’m actually starting to FEEL retired. I haven’t been to work in a long time. Its probably been more than a month thanks to a couple of hurricanes (yes, we had another one) and jury duty. My unavailability has caused my successors to HAVE to handle everything themselves. They’ve been doing a great job, and they don’t need much from me at all. There isn’t a single appointment on the schedule for me the whole month of November.
So how is it going? Its still awesome. I know I keep saying that, and this is going to turn into a terribly boring blog if all I talk about is retirement bliss. Its hard not to, though. I have been able to do so many things I couldn’t have before I retired. I served on a week long jury trial (for murder) which was incredibly interesting, and revolting all at the same time. If I had been working, I’d have tried to get out of it, and probably could have. I’m glad I did that and have a better understanding of how the legal system works.
I have enjoyed my family more. I used to come home for work and had to immediately begin attacking “home chores.” It was hard to listen to how my kids’ day was when I was in the middle of washing dishes, or preparing dinner. I no longer get so annoyed with my husband when he doesn’t help as much as I’d like with household chores. I have time and can just do it tomorrow.
A friend told me the other day that I look happy and relaxed. I am. I have time to get the exercise I need to be healthy, I have moments to myself to relax, I have time to cook healthy meals for my family, and time to pursue some of my many interests. I also have time for mistakes. I used to get terribly frustrated with myself when I forgot to do something or something unexpected happened and demolished my plans for the day. Now I don’t beat myself up about it. I have time to go back for it, or do it tomorrow.
I have started in on my reading list. I’m planning travel adventures for after Coronavirus restrictions ease. I’m crossing long overdue chores off of my giant list of things to do. I’ve spent more time visiting friends and family, and helping them in ways I couldn’t have before, because I didn’t have time to.
So after gushing for 5 paragraphs about how awesome retirement is, I have to tell you that someone gave me an idea today, and it involves working. I can’t believe I just said it. Its true though, and I seem to be obsessed with the idea.
So here’s the thing, I have had ADHD my whole life. If you don’t know anything about it, it isn’t a disability, its a difference, but it does require some accommodations. I’m better at some things than most folks, and worse at some things than some folks. It’s the way I’ve always been, and I just work around the differences.
I stumbled across a website for women with ADHD, and it was so helpful to me that I sent a note to the creator, and offered my help. She emailed back and offered for me to be on a podcast. Along the way, she piqued my interest about helping other ADHD women by being a financial coach. (People with ADHD are generally not great with money. I get it, I am her.)
I am ideally positioned for this. I could still help people with their money without it being a full time job. I could schedule it so that it didn’t interfere with my leisure activities, and I think I would love it. It would be the most fun part of my job without the annoying parts. (I do know that I am idealizing this. EVERYTHING is more complicated than you think it is.) I am laughing at myself because I sort of KNEW this would happen. And if I do this, all my friends will laugh that they were right and I couldn’t stay retired.
Oh well, according to the terms of my contract, I can do NOTHING for 15 more months. Plenty of time to ponder the possibilities. I might just be carried away by a new idea, or trying to distract myself from election torture. What do you think, should I explore the opportunity, or sign up for a Master Gardener class?
It sound like you’ve mostly already decided that you want to to the financial coaching, and it’s great that it’s for a good cause. Looking at it a different way, if you were really averse to the idea, then I think you’d instinctively know that.
If it were me, I’d be checking that it didn’t impinge on the aspects of my new life that I hold most dear. Perhaps top of that list is my freedom and the ability to be flexible. I suspect that for the most part, the hours can be planned to suit you and most of the work can probably be done online, this maintaining freedom and flexibility. Also, I’d find important to be clear about how much time is involved, a day a week, two, three…five? That will clearly have an impact.
And lastly, how about setting the hours for the financial coaching at a level where you can do both the coaching and the Master Gardener class?
I would certainly not work for anyone else doing this. I would only take coaching jobs that interest me and for a limited term- like a package of three one hour sessions or something like that. I just wouldn’t accept clients when I’m about to go on vacation or have other obligations. The other idea was teaching a class at a local university, and that would be a LOT less flexible. I guess I DO feel a need to use my knowledge to help people who need it. I’m learning so many interesting things about myself in retirement!
> Oh well, according to the terms of my contract, I can do NOTHING for 15 more months.
That sounds draconian, especially as you said they don’t really need your services any more – are they still paying you? Usually it’s 4 weeks notice and you’re gone baby!
BTW if you’re are passionate about something, and feel you have something of real value to contribute, why not!? We won’t tell the Internet Retirement Police! 😉
They are still paying me to consult- and its a pretty decent paycheck, so I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. I might just give it a whirl, if I love it I can keep doing it, if I hate it, I can quit. You’re quite right, who cares what the Internet Retirement Police think?
This might sound crazy but I wouldn’t do it just yet. I would wait and just enjoy the time you have for now. I can completely understand your desire to help others and use your wisdom to inspire others, but don’t jump into anything. If the opportunity exists now a similar one will exist in the future. Just relax for now. You have a lifetime to take on new efforts if you want to. Soak up the early retirement life for little while longer 😉
I agree. I promised myself I would commit to nothing till a year has passed, and it hasn’t yet. I’m considering myself retired now, so no decisions about working for pay or even volunteer commitments till September of next year. Writing helps me sort through the ideas, and thanks to ADHD, I tend to get carried away. Fortunately, I understand this about myself. I’m much less “obsessed” with the idea than I was yesterday or the day before. Writing about it and hearing your feedback helps a lot- thanks! I still think it’s a good idea, but I’m going to let it marinate for awhile.