Same passion, different focus
One of the first things I did when I retired from teaching three years ago (after sleeping for about a month) was to convert a spare room in my home from a teacher’s office to a writing/sewing studio. https://seamslikeastory.com/creating-a-space-to-sew-and-write/ After thirty-seven years of teaching, I needed a different way to occupy my time and engage my mind. I rekindled passions I had put on the back burner and began to sew and write again.
A Different Type of Work
I find the work to be satisfying and inherently different from teaching. After spending a morning working on a poem, story, or sewing project, I have something tangible to show for my efforts. In my teaching profession, though the goals were noble and the rewards great, it often took weeks, months, or even years to see progress.
Simpler Solutions
If I make a mistake sewing a garment or am not happy with the way a story is going, I can rip out seams and rewrite paragraphs. Struggling students were much harder to figure out. Many times solutions weren’t obvious, and it took many tries to succeed. There were times I wasn’t able to unravel their tangled threads or smooth out their life stories.
Reap what you sew
So why did I stick with teaching for all those years? Because sometimes, sometimes, a spark ignites, a plan works, a struggling student smiles and succeeds, I made a difference; I reaped what I’d sewn.
These moments, brief as they may be, are the rocket fuel that drives those of us who were, and are fortunate enough to be educators. That passion drives me still. I’m finding new ways to channel it.
Threads of Thought
Transitioning to retirement has been a three-year journey for me.
What are some of your retirement passions?
What do you look forward to when your retire?
The world needs more teachers like you were! I enjoy your “musings.”
Thanks! And thank you for following along.
I’m still transitioning (3 years this past week 😞). The struggle is real but, reading what others like you have to say gives me hope. I, too, love to se w and write as well as crochet and create. Blessings to you on the rest of your journey.
Thanks Tamara. When you’ve given so much of your life to something it’s hard to let go. There are many who feel the way we do.
I have 3 years after this one before I retire from a career in second grade. I’m not sure what I’ll do yet. But writing is on the list!
Keep a journal. You’ll have a lot of stories to tell! And hang in there. It looks like the next few years aren’t going to be any better. Stay safe and sane!
Owning a ranch and horseback riding! Won’t be long!! Happy trails!
Those are great retirement plans! You’ll be there before you know it!