Blinkers!

Well, it’s been great and it’s been fun. Now I am over seventy years old, I am pausing to alter some of my boomer approaches. I have been single and slightly mobility disabled for many years, so I have not worked full-time as a classroom educator for many long years.

Through thick and thin, I always kept my qualifications up to date. After divorcing my unsavoury late husband, he was unlamented by women of Australia, I took up part-time tutoring face-to-face and later online. I did enjoy meeting young Australians from any background, assisting them to achieve their goals to pass or excel in English and other subjects.

Over these years, I always thought I was going to increase my spending power, by making a difference to the future of society by coaching them. Their good results were pleasing, but as time passed, all I have realized is that I spent any income on increasingly expensive printer ink. I am never retraining in the very latest technological advances in learning in the digital age. That would be one sure way to blow up quietly every internet function in my peaceful residence! I did that too with my womanly touch.

I did have some blinkers on, which can be a boomer trend. Blinker One was setting low fees for struggling students and their famlies, all they could afford. My two lovely lassies this last year were a pleasure to educate, and really achieved excellent results. Their rather growing reliance on this kindly tutor, finally led to my Blinker number two.

My people-pleasing inherent nature has led my path over these decades to be a doormat by never learning to say “No” to demands to solve concerns that I should have politely to do those tasks themselves. Like others in my past, these gals started assuming they could rely on somehow expecting their tutor and academic writer to write urgent essay notes to attain great grades, filling their unrealistic time schedules. One example of this two-handed emotional blackmail from one meant she suddenly expected her tutor to write and reference two academic essays by 9 am the next morning. I did not know how to refuse.

I wound up finally heading to bed, totally exhausted, too bleary-eyed to read my great books, was not able to stay in touch with my friends in person or online, and hadn’t done any exercise. On the way, I was so stiff I tripped over the computer. I was blessed that I did not fracture anything, but had not I finished either task.

That is my main boomer blinker. I had done it again. I had told myself often that someone else’s goals should be my goals. I needed to recover, as my leg had buckled under, and my aims focus on my personal wellbeing. So I sent her an email the next morning, sent her what I had writtten with no fee, and said it was up to her to have faith in her abilities to complete her essays.

Well, much snivelling texts and phone calls went on. I turned off the phone volume and notifications and started seeking more relaxing retirement goals. I sent a message to my tertiary scholar that I was totally retiring on the educational field to make my elderly well being my retirement aim. Likewise, I plan to promote the other student to higher things.

Boomer Blinker Number Three implies that seniors have been advised to write goals and excessive aims. I did read in yet more online coaching, that goal-setting is a USA latter day flawed tip for retirement. Most people never bother, elderly folk get up, and complete what needs to be done.

Seniors need to sort if they can afford both essential daily expenses, and if they need any discretionary income to purchase luxuries, whatever they wish. If boomers can no longer afford essential costs for reguar bills, food, housing, medicines and transport, then it is best then to reduce luxuries or seek any financial support such as senior discounts, or benefits for which we may be eligible.

Blinkers off! I am wondering how long retirement from my ‘born to teach’ nature will last this time! Most of it has been great as well as fun.