Looking Forward - What Am I Retiring TO??? What is the plan?

 

I've read frequently that you shouldn't retire FROM somewhere unless you have something to retire TO.  For me, that's not a likely problem.

I am retiring from work.  I have a PhD in Chemistry, and obviously I like the field (or I wouldn't have spent so much time and energy in this field), but I've never been the type of person where my job is my life and identity.  Work was always a means to fund my home life, family and of course my hobbies.

So, what are the current hobbies that I'm retiring to?

1. Reading has been a life-long pleasure for me.  Clearly, for the past 34 years (longer if you count education), a bulk of my reading has been professionally oriented.  I have done leisure reading, but not as much as I would like.  Pictured above is my Easton Press collection of books.  I plan to spend some time each day making my way through the 100 Greatest Books, as well as my Hemingway, Twain and Short Story collections.

2. Fitness has also been big in my life.  Stop laughing!  Yes, my body type might not lead to that conclusion... you just have to know that eating has also been big in my life. 🤷  

I have a fair bit of fitness equipment and do use it regularly, but since I like to exercise in the mornings, it has always seemed a bit rushed.  I frequently can't quite get the workout I intend because I have to head to work (even if it's just upstairs to a Teams meeting).  Those excuses are gone now.

But I also want to be more active in general.  I used to walk several miles each evening and ride bike frequently.  These are things I intend to add back into life.

And yes, I would like to loose some weight.

3. Organ music has been a staple in my life since 7th grade.  I had to give it up for a long period, but with my acquisition of the Allen GW4 a few years ago, I plan to do more practicing.

4. Sailing will remain a part of my retired life - certainly while we still own Seas The Day (she is for sale), but even afterwards with some charter rentals.

5.  And of course there's the Honey Do list, Cooking, cleaning, watching movies and all of that stuff as well.  Oh, and don't forget naps!!

My expectation is that I'll break most days into segments.

Mornings will be exercise and "office time".  (I still have to communicate with other people, manage accounts, write my blog, etc.)

Afternoons will be some reading, some practicing and maybe a nap.  Afternoons will also be where I do little projects.

Evenings will be spent cooking a nice dinner and sharing a movie (or more reading).

I don't think I'm going to be sitting around doing nothing.