I’m not retiring into a rocking chair

I recently read a study that found baby boomers, like myself, are changing the norms for the post work years just as we changed the norms in areas such as housing, education and employment expectations. Apparently, we are creating a ‘leisure boom’ as we head into retirement.

It’s refreshing to know this. As I head towards retirement I feel healthier and I am almost as active as I was in my younger years. Because I finally have the time to do the things I am passionate about, including spending time with my grandchildren, I feel as though I have an opportunity to reinvent myself.

In my youth I was heavily involved in sports, participating in activities such as swimming, athletics, softball, and football. My husband and I enjoyed these activities together, travelled together as representatives and introduced our children to several disciplines as they were growing up. But sport was not the only thing to define me. I enjoyed being a mother, a classroom teacher (it’s been challenging to see how the profession has evolved and I can’t say it is for the better of our children), and am a keen seamstress.

My husband has been semi-retired for several years now, and he’s never been busier. He rediscovered his passion for building and gets to indulge in his love of fishing.

As I scale back from full-time employment, I too have discovered a love of language and dance; I have rediscovered my love of sewing and although I have early symptoms of arthritis that sometimes make it difficult, I am delighted when my daughters present me with a piece of fabric from which I can create something I will wear.

The state of the world at the moment has wiped some of the sheen off my desire to travel, and although there are many countries I would like to visit I’m too frightened to venture too far overseas. However, I have developed wonderful friendships and solid memories from the early travels my husband and I have. That said, we are in love with Australia and exploring all it has to offer.

Just because ‘retirement’ has the word ‘tire’ within it does not mean I am tired. I’ looking forward to being time affluent and using that time to my own discretion.

I’m certainly not retiring to a rocking chair.

Can you relate to this reader? What’s your outlook on retirement?