If there were such a thing as an Internet postcard, the one I would have sent to you all would have read, “Having a great blogcation, wish you were here.” Really. I missed you.
I spent the first week of my blogcation agonizing about whether I wanted to blog anymore. On the plane ride to Montreal, I got an idea for a blog post and wrote it. But I held back from posting it in order force myself away from the blog. I finally decided to stop thinking about it and just enjoy the time off.
So here’s how I spent my summer blogcation:
First we headed off to a home-exchange vacation to explore Montreal, Quebec City, and Mont Tremblant. And I want to tell you all about it.
I also got inspired to get really fit. I borrowed a set of P90X DVD’s from a friend. I had never heard of P90X, but apparently only three other people on the entire planet haven’t heard of it. I guess I’ve been living under a rock that blocks late-night infomercials. Now I’m getting in great shape. And I want to tell you all about it.
I also rode in a 30-mile community bike-ride/fund-raiser and am doing another, 45-mile one, next weekend. I dabbled in a vegetarian diet. I enjoyed tons of free music downtown—an amazing line-up that occurs almost every single night of the week in my community during the summer. I hosted a bunch of dinner parties and I even cooked! I want to tell you all about all that too.
There were also some rocky stock market gyrations while I was on blogcation. So I rebalanced my portfolio. And of course, I want to tell you about that too.
I also followed politics. A lot. But I am a recent convert to the philosophy that it’s not polite to discuss politics or religion with friends, so I’m not going to tell you about that.
That’s still a lot of stuff I want to tell you about.
When I write about retirement, I’m really just writing about getting the most out of life: engaging in meaningful activities, doing all that I can to stay happy and healthy, and of course making sure that my financial house is in order. So I’m going to try and organize my future posts around these themes:
Money Mondays: I’ll discuss the primary concern for most retirees and soon-to-be retirees.
Traveling Tuesdays: I am not alone in my thirst for travel in retirement. I share this passion with 61 percent of respondents in a recent AARP survey of boomers nearing retirement. I stretch my travel dollars by swapping homes for my lodging; I’ll share what I’ve learned over the years.
Wellness Wednesdays: In the same AARP survey, 84 percent of respondents ranked “taking better care of my physical health” a high priority, which made it the top concern of those entering retirement. Good health is one of the secrets to a happy retirement, and I’m working on that too.
Photo Fridays: What does retirement look like to you? A picture is worth a thousand words. On Fridays I’ll post my pictures of retirement and I’d love if you would share yours too. (Just email me your photo and how you would like it credited.)
Of course that may be a little ambitious for a blogger that never even posted 4 days a week in the first place, so I may supplement with some older posts that have since been buried in the bowels of my archives. And if inspiration hits me on another day, of course I’ll post as the spirit moves me. (And conversely if a break is what I need—I’ll just take it!)
Related Posts:
Re-entering the Earth’s Atmosphere
The Myth of the Skinny Retirement
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See? You just had writers block and was stuck in the thought of writing about the 'same old thing'. You had to step away so that you could reinvent yourself and refocus.
There's a ton of things we can write/blog about. It's called 'living life'. It's always changing and very invigorating.
I missed you something awful. Welcome back! I look forward to reading your posts again. And yes, a picture is worth 1000 words. Keep them coming also.
Posted by: morrison | August 16, 2011 at 07:31 AM
@Morrison: Thanks for the warm welcome back!
Posted by: Retired Syd | August 16, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Looking forward to upcoming posts! By the way, any real high points in Montreal and Quebec City that I should be aware of? We will be visiting in a few months and are just putting together our must-see list. Happy Retirement!
Posted by: Dave Bernard | August 16, 2011 at 07:48 AM
Welcome home, Syd!
The idea of themed days is interesting. It will be fun to follow their evolution. 4 days a week is ambitious, but I bet you can do it.
Time to go add you back to my blog roll.
Posted by: Bob Lowry | August 16, 2011 at 08:04 AM
@Dave: Thanks Dave--it's great to see you over at USN now!
Quebec City is about the cutest town on the planet, I don't need to tell you anything specific, just walk and it will all be there at your feet (I wish we had stayed 3 nights instead of just 2.) If you like Jazz have dinner at Largo.
In Montreal, use the Bixi Bike system to get around--a great way to see the city. Don't miss Old Montreal and port. If the weather is nice, spend a day at the "beach" on Ile Notre Dame. Be sure to take in the neighborhoods: The Plateau, The Village, Jean-Talon Market, downtown for restaurants and museums, and the parks Mont Royal and La Fontaine. See Totem (Cirque du Soleil) at the old port and jazz at Diese Onze.
Posted by: Retired Syd | August 16, 2011 at 08:07 AM
@Bob: Thanks Bob. I look forward to resuming that honored spot on your blog!
Posted by: Retired Syd | August 16, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Good to have you back, Syd!
The best part about turning in a summer blogcation essay is that you can skip the rest of the classes anytime you want...
Posted by: Doug Nordman | August 16, 2011 at 08:58 AM
Great to have you back, Syd....So guess my gut was right that there was no reason to bid you farewell earlier when you threatened to retire this blog...
P.S. I'm now somewhere between 4 and 16 months to joining you in freedom land and will continue to check in here for inspiration..., Penta
Posted by: penta | August 16, 2011 at 02:05 PM
@Penta: Yep, I got a second wind! Home stretch for you, soon you'll be adding your own advice here!
Posted by: Retired Syd | August 16, 2011 at 02:20 PM
@Doug: Very funny. . .
Posted by: Retired Syd | August 16, 2011 at 02:22 PM
Hooray! Syd is back. :-)
Leaving on a 15 day, 120 mile Swiss Alps hiking trip in two days. I've been hiking 40 miles a week in preparation, so I'm right there with you on Wellness Wednesdays. You can count on me sharing one photo for sure when I return for your Traveling Tuesdays.
Tamara
Posted by: Tamara | August 16, 2011 at 05:12 PM
So happy to have you back!! I was sad when I didn't think I'd hear from you again as you have been such an inspiration along my journey to early retirement in 4 years. It sounds like a break is all you needed. Glad you enjoyed your blogcation and looking forward to the posts and pictures!!
Posted by: Bridget | August 16, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Good to see you back and I hope you will resume posting as you did before.
Posted by: deegee | August 16, 2011 at 08:06 PM
Welcome back to the blogophere. What I'm getting from your post -- and what I've found from my own experience -- is that blogging becomes addictive. But, there's nuthin' wrong with that!
Posted by: Tom Sightings | August 17, 2011 at 07:06 AM
Hi, Syd... Say, you mentioned that you visited Montreal on a home exchange arrangement. How did you arrange for the home exchange? And I'll bet you a nickel that, in answering my question, you'll have the makings of an interesting post. Bill
Posted by: Bill Birnbaum | August 17, 2011 at 07:58 AM
@Tamara: Good for you! Looking forward to seeing those photos!
@Bridget & Deegee: Thanks for the nice welcome back.
@Tom, I think you might be right about that addiction thing. On another note, congratulations to you also for picking up the reins over at USN.
Posted by: Retired Syd | August 17, 2011 at 08:04 AM
@Bill: Don't you worry, many posts coming on that subject.
Posted by: Retired Syd | August 17, 2011 at 08:06 AM
That's new to my ears, 'blogcation'. I'll use that term too in my future escapades.
Posted by: custom essay writing service | August 17, 2011 at 09:40 AM
Welcome back ! I look forward to some tips on transitioning into retirement.
What agency did you use for a home exchange. You are probably aware of the San Francisco women whose apartment was ransacked by criminal who used a home exchange agency. How do check credentials of prospective exchange tenants ?
Posted by: Newly Retired | August 17, 2011 at 08:03 PM
@Newly Retired: Thanks. I will write some posts on home exchange tips next week. The woman who had her home damaged was not actually a home-exchange, that was a rental through AirBnB, which I will also talk about.
Posted by: Retired Syd | August 17, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Yay! I like your blog "itinerary".
I'm still on blogcation, but also had renewed enthusiasm to write on the vacay - that's what it's supposed to be about it seems - renewal and reinvigoration.
I have my punishing Cathe Friedrich 12 week circuit weightlifting DVD's awaiting me upon my arrival at home too. Almost scared to go back home... :-)
Posted by: Jacq | August 18, 2011 at 02:46 PM
--So I’m going to try and organize my future posts around these themes--:
You wanted to stop blogging because you had worked yourself into too structured a routine. So, you took a couple of weeks off and you are back to organizing your week again. That doesn't sound like retirement, it sounds like work!
Posted by: Dorothy | August 24, 2011 at 05:54 AM
So happy to have you back! I just checked back in since I assumed your blogcation was going to be a bit longer but it's nice to find you back sooner than I anticipated! I'm not ready for retirement any time soon but find your blog filled with interesting food for thought in general :)
Posted by: Rebecca | September 05, 2011 at 11:36 AM
I am new in Blogging. I find it very addicting. Rightnow i a practicing SEO work which kind of hard at first but i am enjoying it.
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