"Slow down everyone
You're moving too fast,
Frames can't catch you when
You're moving like that."
-Jack Johnson, "Inaudible Melodies"
I had the great pleasure of enjoying a Jack Johnson concert this beautiful Tuesday evening at Berkeley's Greek Theater. We were joined by some wonderful friends, also U.C. Santa Barbara alums, though we all graduated several years before Jack Johnson graced the campus. The music brought us back to our college days anyway. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I remember those college days being a lot slower paced than those of the working world.
My post at U.S. News this week is about how to slow back down in retirement after years in the rat race.
Bob's post over at Satisfying Retirement also touches on slowing down and observing what's around you. He shares a wonderful piece from his creative writing class. It's amazing what you can overlook in your own life when you're moving so fast, not paying attention. As you'll see, writing is a great way to get you to do that.
Writing can also be a great way to connect with others in your retirement. Bill at Adventure Retirement shares his experience in, "Blogging for Retirees." Starting your own blog is a great way to get your brain working in a new way. If you're interested in starting your own blog, read Joan's Boomer Blog for tips on creating one.
I think Bob, Bill, and Joan would all agree the blogosphere could use a few more voices of retired folks sharing their wisdom with us.
Related Posts:
Living in the Moment in Retirement
Enjoying Retirement with Doggies
This is a post from Retirement: A Full-Time Job
Just thought I would mention that I am now writing what might rank as a retirement blog http://thecalltolive.wordpress.com
I started writing with http://thecaregivercalling.com while I spent two years doing 24/7 care for my wife. I retired in the summer of 2008 to care for her (Parkinson's -- 23.5 years). Mary Ann died about four months ago. The new blog is about my attempt at beginning a new life with neither a career or my wife's care to furnish it.
Peter
Posted by: Peter Tremain | October 07, 2010 at 05:51 PM
What a timely article (as was Bob's post). I always said I wanted more time even if it meant less money, but lately I have really overextended-I'll probably be commenting on that in my blog soon. At the moment though, I'm roadtripping between Dallas, Denver, Santa Fe and old route 66. whats more, I planned it two days before I left-who could do that in the "working world"
Posted by: Barb | October 07, 2010 at 07:36 PM
Slowing down is good for one's health. People tend to push themselves too much, as long as they are feeling fine. But then a health issue surfaces and they find they have no choice but to slow down. Do it before that point is reached.
Posted by: larry macdonald | October 08, 2010 at 08:11 AM
The difference in generations! When I read "Slow down everyone, you're moving too fast" I think of Simon and Garfunkel. But, I must add I have a Jack Johnson channel on Pandora.
Thank for the mention Syd. So far, everyone in the blogosphere has been a bit kinder than my creative writing instructor on that example. Importantly, I wrote it for me and enjoyed the process.
Like you, I hope we can expand the number of folks in the retired category sharing experiences and thoughts on blogs.
Posted by: Bob | October 08, 2010 at 04:46 PM
maybe slowing down in retirement is a natural progression? maybe with slowing down comes letting go and focus on what's really real and what's crap. an osmosis.
Posted by: fred doe | October 10, 2010 at 02:12 PM