Retirement Resolutions

Well it's that time of year for making resolutions for the new year.  This new year will include my retirement from work, so I think it makes sense to make retirement resolutions this time.

1.  Don't get lazy

My weekends lately have been filled with sleeping late, reading the paper while having my breakfast, checking out blogs, followed by knitting or reading, perhaps having some lunch, and then thinking about maybe getting a workout in--all while STILL IN MY PAJAMAS.  Perhaps if I simply get out of my pajamas and into my workout clothes after breakfast, that would get me on my way to achieving this resolution.

2.  Get my garden in shape

My garden is filled with weeds.  Sure, I blame the eight hours a day I spend at work for the state of my garden.  If only I didn't work I would surely have no weeds, right?  Well, in the last 12 weekends, I have managed NOT to get out there even once to take care of that.  Sure, some weekends were pouring down rain, some we were out of town.  But I'm afraid that when I'm retired my garden will still be filled with weeds.

3.  Get my body in shape

See #1 above--unless I can actually get out of my pajamas before dinner, I don't see how I'm going to get those workouts in.  Of course we all blame our jobs for not getting the time to exercise that we really "want" (see Skinny Jeans).  When there is always "later" to exercise, I will need to figure a way to not put this one off beyond the finish of the day (and beyond the one that follows.)

4.  Be sure to read actual books

This blogging stuff can be addictive, reading others' blogs, linking to their blog roll and then to the next.  I need to step away from the computer and read some actual books during my retirement.

5.  Socialize

It will take more effort to actually socialize with people when I don't have a job to go to.  Every day, at work I have an instant social life.  Hearing about what's going on in my co-workers' lives, sharing my life, giving advice to those that ask for it--that whole circle will be gone.  I will have to make more effort in order to have daily human interaction.  One of my retirement goals will be not to get stuck in an isolation rut and to make the effort to connect with friends and family.

6.  Create

Sewing, knitting, even just creating dinner; I have been lusting after time to sew some clothes, knit some gifts, explore the kitchen.  Now my resolution is to actually do these things.  There are many rooms I want to paint in my house, now I have no excuse not to get that done (except the excuse of gardening, exercising, reading actual books and socializing). 

I can see this retirement thing is going to take much more time than the 8 hours a day previously devoted to my job!

Comments

[Wicked in San Jose]

It is so great reading your thoughts....but I am surely NOT worried about YOU failing to socialize!!!!!

No way!!! Speaking of Jose, are you blogging from Mexico???

[LoveBeingRetired]

Hi Syd - just wanted to let you know that I linked to your article in my post today "Retirement planning must have - goal setting". Your resolutions are a good example of some goals we all can set! Thanks.