Adjusting to life in retirement
Steeped in Thought
by Debra VanDeventer
green tea with lemon
a beautiful way to greet
a blank page
That was then….
The alarm wakes me from a fitful sleep at 4:45 am. I roll out of bed, make a potty stop, then a few minutes of yoga to try to prepare myself for the intense day ahead. Breakfast, shower, dress, out the door by 6:30, at school by 7. Adrenaline pumping. Prepared (most mornings) to greet 25-30 energetic kindergarteners, first graders or, later in my career, fourth graders. Done. Click. Repeat. For 37 years.
This is now….
Sunlight streaming through the slats in the window blinds rouses me from a restful night’s sleep. The days are lengthening and the sun will wake me a few minutes earlier each day. My biological clock adjusts itself to the rhythm of daylight and darkness. This morning’s yoga session is leisurely, breakfast and a walk follows. After showering, I put on comfy leggings and a soft tunic top. Shoes are optional. The tea kettle signals my morning brew is ready. I make my way to my office/studio, open my journal and greet…
A Blank Page
There it is, taunting me.
“You have no plans. “
“What are you going to do today, this week, this year, huh?”
“Where’s your schedule? Do you even know how to operate without lesson plans?”
“People expect you to keep busy. Busy is good.”
For the first year or so of my retirement, the blank page intimidated me. After spending most of my life as a student or a professional woman, I was addicted to the adrenaline rush. I loved teaching and was successful. Now what? How would I fill the void?
A Full Life
While I was figuring things out, I began to journal. The process of writing each morning prompted me to come to terms with what was meaningful and helped me visualize how I wanted to spend this next phase of my life. Family, friends, and travel would be important. I also explored my creative life with the help of books such as the Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. Long forgotten interests in sewing and writing began to emerge. It took a while, several years really, but bit by bit, my new life began to take shape.
Some days I’m still trying to figure it out, but the blank page no longer terrifies me. I have renewed energy and look forward to new possibilities.
As it turns out, the blank page is my ticket to a full life.
Threads of Thought:
If you are retired, was the transition easy or difficult for you?
If you are not there yet…what are you looking forward to in retirement?
What is/ will be something you’ll miss?
When I retire I’m going to get a job.
I love it!
I can’t imagine a full-stop on work. I can visualize shifting my type of work and taking more breaks to pursue other interests. I’ve seen too many people retire and atrophy.
I agree. It’s important to keep engaged.
Deb, just as expected, another lovely posting. You paint a picture of ease, contentment and joy. Not a bad way to spend a day. Go well, David.
Thanks! Of course, not all days are rosy, but yes, I’m content with where I am right now. OVWF and our critique group have been a big part of my transformation.
I’ve retired twice now and it hasn’t been easy either time . The first time was 2016 from 16 years as a principal . I missed kids so much I went back to teaching a year after and taught till Covid forced me to retire again . The last year has been extremely hard being secluded at my home.
I retired twice too! But I’m pretty sure the second one will be the last! I can’t imagine how hard it would have been to retire during COVID, yet many of our fellow educators were in that difficult position. Be patient, things are looking up and your retirement can begin!
I love what you wrote! I felt the same way. I looked forward to retirement. I was strong and I could do many things! But I waited too long to retire (73). My health took a turn for the worst (stroke & heart problems) Now, every day I work on exercise & getting through my day to get stronger so that I can do the things I wanted to do. But I feel that I don’t have many years left to do all of those things that I was looking forward to. So now I have a blank page.
I’m sorry that your health has taken a turn for the worse. Look for small joys each day to fill your blank page. Take care.
I’m retiring this May after 32 years of teaching! I still want to be productive and make a little side money. So I’m going to join a company called Taxi Mom and drive kids to and from school and other appointments when parents’ schedules don’t allow them to drive their children. I’m excited to do this! Crossing my fingers I can learn to drive a 16 passenger van!
Congratulations on your retirement and good luck with your new Taxi Mom business!
Thank you so much for posting this, Debra. It’s comforting to read about someone else who had trouble making the adjustment from teaching to retirement. I officially retired almost five years ago, but I continued to teach part-time for four more years as I tried to find other interests and activities that energized me. I finally stopped teaching just before the pandemic, and it was only then that I really started to get to know myself and move forward. Oddly, I think that the pandemic itself helped me to adjust to retirement. I saw people of all ages struggling to adapt to a new kind of life and realized how hard change is for everybody. I’m feeling calmer and more hopeful now, which I didn’t think would ever happen!
Mary Lou, your comment warmed my heart. I think everyone has to adjust to retirement, but because our roles as educators are so emotional and intense I think it is more difficult for us to leave. I love that you are starting to get to know yourself now. I’m doing the same.
Thank you Debra for another wonderful post. Your mornings sound lovely and relaxing. Your posts are engaging and give me things to think and journal about. I don’t know if I’m retired. I closed my business after 11 years when COVID hit and I’ve been drifting at home. Writing has been a major activity this year and my writing friends have encouraged me to grow and improve the craft. also picked up unfinished projects like a quilt I began in 1996 – I’m determined to finish this quilt! Post COVID I look forward to traveling and gathering with friends. Devi
After closing your business unexpectedly, you are going through a transition as well. I’m so glad you’ve rediscovered writing, and I’m looking forward to seeing your finished quilt!