Stages of Retirement - What Happened to Monday Holidays?

In the 40+ years that I worked full-time before retiring recently, I was always, always, very aware of the  holidays, especially what we know as the "Monday Holidays".   Not everyone gets the holidays as paid holidays at work, but I was lucky that my various places of work almost always observed all these holidays.  

I was always very aware also so I could request the Friday before the holiday weekend as a vacation day off.  With exceptions, because of my line of work, I could usually take that extra long 4-day weekend.  

It wasn't that I usually traveled during these holiday, I seldom did through the years, but it was the peace of having more than two days to have my own schedule, or more often, to take on a project at home like going through closets.  Sometimes it was taking part in special holiday related events in the area.  

Now between being retired and the pandemic cancelling many in-person events, I barely remember there is a holiday coming up this weekend.  As an older retired friend once said to me, "in retirement, every day is a weekend."

I have to confess that I miss the expectation and excitement leading up to the Monday Holidays when I was in the workforce.  I miss discussing weekend holiday plans with co-workers, even if I myself often didn't have any.  And yes, I miss the expectation as was the case in some jobs early in my work life, that the boss would let us go home early the day before the holiday weekend.  Those were good bosses 😀

   

Stages of Retirement - Update on "To Do" List and My Retirement Type?

 

In a previous Retirement post I wrote about a long retired friend who uses a daily "To Do" list to organize her days.  (See link below):

https://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2021/01/stages-of-retirement-organizing-my-days.html

I wanted to update that post. After looking at various office supply sites and Amazon for notebooks and planners I finally found the one posted above.  I like that I can keep track of dates, times, goals and a "To Do" list, as well as a notes section that I use all the time.  But if I don't finish something I just move it to another day or time, except for things that have a definite deadline.  And some days I just relax and listen or read my books and catch up with podcasts on my list (I'm still behind on those) or listen to music and sit on my balcony in the afternoon to enjoy the breeze.  

But my friend is right, it does give you a "structure" in retirement that helps in some strange way.  

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What is my Retirement Type?

I regularly visit  the website Sixty and Me (see link below).   They have interesting articles on navigating retirement. 

https://sixtyandme.com/retirement-types/

Types of Retirees

Through her research, Nancy K Schlossberg, Ph.D., describes six types of retirees:

The Adventurer – Embracing a new job or activity that you have never done.

The Continuer – Doing something related to what you have done before.

The Easy glider – Emergent with no plan.

The Searcher – Figure out what is next.

The Retreater – Taking some down time.

The Involved spectator –Being involved in a specific field outside of being employed.

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Right now going through several months of "pandemic retirement"  I am a combination of "The Adventurer",  "The Easy Glider" and "The Searcher".  But of course,  "Life is what happens when you're making other plans." and you never know what is around the corner.  

The "Adventurer":

I've taken up several new Zoom group/club activities, most involving my love of books, film, and art history.  I hope all these Zoom opportunities continue, but I know once we go back to more "normal" not all of them will.  I didn't have the time, and really the energy, to get involved as much before when I was working.  I've also become acquainted virtually with people that share my interests.  (Thanks in large measure to a long time friend.)  I really enjoy all these activities. 

I've also become a new "YT watcher" of Bald Eagles (Big Bear Valley) and of course our dear DC Baby Panda thanks to YouTube and the National Zoo Panda Cam.   

The National Zoo Panda Cam is not new to me, I've watched all our DC Giant Panda's (Tai Shan, Bao Bao, Bei Bei) from birth to their farewell and departure to China.  I will be so sad when Mei Xiang and Tian Tian and dear Xiao Qi Ji depart for China as well in a few years. 

I do wonder, thinking about our transition to post-pandemic life how much will have changed from our "normal" pre-pandemic life.  I really don't know if I will trust traveling again.  I think I will still use a mask on the subway, train, or plane in the future.  Will I ever feel comfortable in a crowded place again?  Right now I have my doubts.  I'm glad in retirement it will be my choice. 

Stages of Retirement: Dealing with Reality and Researching Some Housing Options

 

As I slowly work on decluttering, with some breaks, I also need to think and plan about housing options and short term - long term options in retirement as an "elder orphan".  

My two options in my thoughts right now are move to another apartment a bit farther away from the city for lower rent (still staying in the same general area) or move to a senior apartment (if I qualify) in my area.  Keeping in mind a possible future move to a life care or continuing care community. 

To help my decision-making I've taken part and watched several senior Zoom seminars that cover these options in part.  (You can check AARP for some of these or your city or county website).  Lots of information to ponder.  I'm happy I've pursued these information seminars; I've learned a lot about the resources out there and about some preparations I need to make.  At times though I feel a bit overwhelmed by all these decisions I have to face. 

But still, even with all these helpful options, I have more concerns.  Also I can't really discuss with anyone.  I have a couple of close friends my age that I've tried to start the conversation with, but they are facing their own dilemmas.  Slightly younger friends don't really want to discuss it at all, they are not there yet, or are facing this with their parents soon and don't want an additional burden.  My limited-distant family is no help at all in a discussion. They're happy with whatever I decide as long as they don't have to deal with taking care of me at all!

Don't get me wrong,  I'm lucky to have several trusted friends I can count on when I need help. I'm very grateful to have them.  But I feel people are reluctant to go beyond the superficial discussion in fear of giving bad advice. They also have their own burdens to deal with. 

Looking for just a new apartment is something I've done before and am starting to do again now.  Of course you can't visit any property other than virtually yet, and I'm not going to make a move until I can see the place in person.  But looking at senior housing/apartments is an entirely new adventure.

Also, am I ready for some of the restrictions of senior housing?  For someone who can be awake at 1:00am watching a TV show, am I ready for a 10:00pm TV noise curfew?  

My problem is, inside my mind I'm still 25 but my body is more like 125.

So, what is the next step for me?

1.  Keep looking at rental apartments online and then make a list of  5 buildings to look at in person when that becomes possible.  

2.  Continue research of senior apartments in my area.  Look at options that I can afford and also amenities that I prefer.  Able to live independently but have some some assistance options and social options.  Make a list of those I want to visit in person.  

3.   Of course, health situations can change rapidly.  Research life-care communities in my area and beyond.  Moving to a more affordable area may be the only option.  

Because of  COVID my goal is a decision and action when things improve in terms of visits to these places. It's looking like 2022.

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I thought I would revisit the Stages of Retirement list.

Researcher Robert Atchley Stages of Retirement:

Stage 1: Planning. ...

Stage 2: Excitement. ...

Stage 3: Honeymoon. ...

Stage 4: Disenchantment. ...

Stage 5: Reorientation & Stability. ...

How am I doing?   

Somehow I skipped the Excitement stage.  But maybe I'm in the Honeymoon stage. 

 Though it may not appear so from this post. But I am enjoying wonderful discoveries in "Zoom World".  Enjoy filling part of my days and nights every week exploring my own interests, even in only a virtual world for now.  

Stages of Retirement - Organizing My Days - New Task

 

 

I was talking to a friend who has been retired for a while now about some "time structure issues"  I have encountered so far.  She said she had the same experience and the way she manages this is by creating a "To Do" list, a schedule for the day, every morning.  And she completes the list each day even if she has to finish that last task in the evening.   

After our conversation I thought a list, daily or weekly, might be a good thing for me to start in the new year.

I should explain that the "time structure issue" doesn't mean not enjoying the flexibility of time to do what you want, when you want, in retirement.  What I mean is finding, especially now in COVID Lockdown, a feeling of being a bit adrift some weeks. 

Of course right now there's the additional issue that even going to a coffee shop or library or community center to see other humans for distraction/interaction is not a possibility.  

Now the problem with me taking the daily "To Do" list route is that I'm a Type B/D personality.  Having a "To Do" list and a schedule that ruled my life Monday through Friday was something I was happy to leave behind now in retirement.  I enjoyed my freedom from schedules on the weekends, but now that every day is a "weekend" I'm missing a little structure.

So that's were I am today, pondering what sort of list I should start.

I have to build some flexibility in my structure, and structure in my flexibility.

I don't want a list that restricts me from being spontaneous, to walk in a nearby park because I see it's a warm day in winter, even if my list says today I'm organizing my closets. Maybe a weekly "To Do" is more my style than daily.  

I do have some big life and financial "To Do's" I need to resolve early in the new year that are overdue.  Those tasks are easy to put at the top of my lists this month, but what then for the rest of winter?  

I'm aware that having free time is a luxury.  I'm grateful for my retirement.  But I'm also aging, with the worries of staying active mentally and physically for as long as I can.

I'll report back in a future post on how it's going.  

Stages of Retirement - My First Retirement Snow Day

Photo from 2019 - Patch Staff

I'm watching the first snow of this winter season in my corner of the Mid-Atlantic US.

This is also my first snow as a retired person.  

You may be asking yourself why is that important?  Because if this snow was happening in a work morning pre-pandemic my feelings about it would be totally different.  

I would have set my alarm for 6am to check my employer's website to see if we were closed and had a snow day today.  If we had a snow day I would have gone back to bed.  If the website said we had a late opening, then I would watch the snow worried we would have a mix of snow and ice that would make commuting dangerous.  If my employer thought there wouldn't be any big snow accumulations and the office was open, then I would have gotten ready to clean my car and drive to work in fear as the snow came down.   

Snow looks pretty coming down, but I've never been comfortable driving in it.  In my neck of the woods we would have a couple of big snows most years (anything over 4 inches for us), but not enough to practice and know how to drive on slick roads.  

The difference this morning for me as a retired person is that I don't have to worry about it. I can just look at the lovely snow coming down and not worry.  

And because we're locked in at home for COVID-19 for our health at my age, I probably will wait for the snow to melt and just leave my car in the parking space.  Thanks to grocery deliveries I also don't have to worry about going to the store in the snow, as I used to.  It always helped to have a store I could walk to. 

I'm also lucky I live in an apartment building, so building maintenance will clear the entrances and sidewalk, and parking lot.  Though the plows throw the snow behind the parked cars and you end up having to clear a snow mountain.

Yes, I know I'm lucky that I was able to retire after 40 years in the workforce.  I'm grateful for that this year.  

LET IT SNOW.

Stages of Retirement - Post Pandemic Wish List

 

I've been retired for several weeks now, I'm still waiting for the EXCITEMENT stage of retirement to kick in.  🤣

Maybe part of not feeling "excitement' is that retiring during a pandemic is somewhat restrictive.  As an older person I am very concerned about my danger of catching COVID, and so I keep myself to myself.   Though as an introvert I know that I've suffered less in many ways than others that have a need to be around people all the time, or are separated from family.  I am possibly in some circumstances what is known in some circles as an "elder orphan", and so I don't have family that I miss interacting with on a daily basis.  I do have family that I see on major holidays, and that too will probably not happen this year. 

But being an introvert doesn't mean I don't miss friends or having a social life. I miss going to the movies, museums, and the theater. Though, like my favorite actor Richard Armitage recently said in an interview, I too prefer socializing one-on one or in small groups.  

I don't have a travel "bucket list", but when I was contemplating retirement this year, I did have in my mind certain things I wanted to do now that I would have the time. Also there are a number of senior discount programs and also community centers in the area that offer all kinds of programs for seniors. But the pandemic has restricted what I can do in person. Also many of these activities are cancelled for the foreseeable future. So I've decided to put together a post-pandemic wish list of fun things to do.

(in no particular order)

I'll also add a note to the list items and add some virtual things I'm doing from home.  

Post-Pandemic Wish List

1.     Audit a class at the Community College

(Note:  I've signed up for a couple of online classes (free) and lectures.  History, art, and literature, film history, are my main interests. There are various organizations that offer classes and lectures online for free. I've taken classes before from Futurelearn and Coursera from universities around the world.)

2.     Visit a museum once a month

(Note:  I live in a museum rich area.  Museums around the world are now offering access to exhibits and different learning opportunities online.  Not all are free, but many are.  I haven't looked into this yet, but I will.)

3.     Take a day trip every couple of months - community centers offer these

(Note:  Definitely for post-pandemic)

4.     Take advantage of senior movie matinee discount days offered by local movie theaters.

(Note: Another one for post-pandemic, if any movie theaters are still in business by then.)

5.     Take advantage of senior matinee discounts in local theaters - live theater

(Note:  Most theaters in my area, have senior discounts. There's a well known regional theater near me I was planning to frequent.  Another item for post-pandemic.)

6.     Volunteer  

(Note:  I was looking into this before I retired, something that was only once a week or every two weeks, but now will be post-pandemic.)

7.     Join a book club at one of my local libraries

(Note:   Living in a metro area I have access to several library systems. All of them have book clubs especially geared for seniors that meet during the day.  Some have moved the club meetings online, but for an introvert meeting people for the first time virtually is a bit daunting.  Maybe move this to post-pandemic.)

8.     Explore my local parks and gardens

(Note:  I have been doing this for a couple of weeks and it's been fun.  One of those things I didn't think much about when I was working.  Good places to walk and explore nature a little bit a few times a week. I even saw a woodpecker up close the other day.)

9.     Take a Tai Chi class

(Note: I found a beginning class for seniors on YT and have tuned in once a week. But I do get a bit lost I will admit.  I've heard Tai Chi is good for balance and other aches and pains as we age.  But of course all the live classes at the community center are cancelled at present.)

 10.    Take a Jewelry-Making class

(Note:  I have absolutely no aptitude for this, and have never been a crafts person, but I'm a jewelry lover, especially art jewelry.  So I thought in retirement I might try my hand at taking a class for fun.  I discovered there are jewelry making classes online, but I think I'll wait for post-pandemic, since part of the idea is to be with other people.)

Will I do all of these things?  Now that is the question.  

Stages of Retirement - What Stage Am I In?

 

I  found out today that researcher Robert Atchley identified the stages of retirement:

Stage 1: Planning. ...

Stage 2: Excitement. ...

Stage 3: Honeymoon. ...

Stage 4: Disenchantment. ...

Stage 5: Reorientation & Stability. ...

I am at the final stages of Stage 1 Planning and waiting to feel the Excitement of Stage 2 soon, very soon.  

What a strange time to retire.  I can't pursue several activities that I had planned in my mind that I could start at this moment.  Right now the pandemic makes going out in the world a dangerous act.  

To be truthful I feel more relief than excitement right now. Maybe there should be an interim stage between Planning and Excitement. 

Stage 1.5: Relief.

At this stage in my life I know several people, family, friends, and colleagues, who have reached retirement before I have. I get a mixed bag of advise from them.  A mixed bag of feelings too.  What different stages are they in at the moment?  

I'll have to see as I progress through the early days and months of retirement if I can relate to the five stages. 

                          

I'm still filling out forms, seeking guidance, making decisions, trying to put things in motion, so that I can finally feel, several days from today, that I am RETIRED.