Forgive me dear readers, for it has been three weeks since my last blog post. And I neglected to post links to my most recent U.S. News articles: Overcoming Overcommitment in Retirement and 6 Secrets to Filling Your Time in Retirement. For those transgressions I feel some guilt. And because I strive to banish guilt in retirement, I have decided to let you all know that I’m going to post even more infrequently or not at all for the next several weeks. Guilt free.
We’re headed off soon to a home exchange to Montreal and then later this summer to another one in Australia. And I think I’m going to use this time to see how it feels not to blog.
Writing about retirement. The truth is I may be growing weary of writing about retirement. I started this blog as a way to sort through my feelings about transitioning into retirement, and share some of the things I’ve learned, both on my own and from the great insights of commenters and fellow bloggers. But now that I’m entering my fourth year of retirement, I have fewer and fewer “aha!” moments. The training wheels are off and I’m pedaling pretty fast these days.
Reading about retirement. With the blog always in the back of my mind, I have tended to analyze everything I’m doing and feeling in retirement so that I can write about it. Instead of just sitting back and enjoying it. And I spend an inordinate amount of time reading retirement blogs, articles and books so that I can share those insights as well. I think I might be tired of that too. I think I want to read more fiction, and in the form of actual books.
Living out loud. To blog is to live more publicly than one does without a blog. I think the most interesting posts I read or write are those that share personal stories. Having said that, sometimes it’s a little overwhelming to live out loud. The great part about blogging is connecting with people, but subjecting your thoughts and life choices to the public invites scrutiny that is sometimes unsettling. For me it’s been way more positive than negative, but I am feeling a little tug toward anonymity.
Self-conscious writing. I took a fantastic writing class at the local community college for two years. My teacher’s greatest gift was encouraging us to “go deeper.” That’s where you get the best writing. But because of the whole living-out-loud nature of blogging, I find myself a little bit guarded in my writing. I am eager to do some writing just for myself, just to see what comes out when I’m not thinking about someone actually reading it.
So there is my full confession. I’m not sure where this blogcation is going to lead. Will it get the creative juices going again, luring me back into retirement blogging? Or will it give me an idea of a new topic to blog about, perhaps a completely new direction? Or will it be a welcome change to my retired life? I don’t know yet, but I will be sure to report back with the answer.
Related Posts:
What’s the Difference Between Vacation and Retirement?
Travel in Retirement: Why Get Away When There’s Nothing to Get Away From?
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