Thursday, August 23, 2012

Life is an ironic

When I was younger, and we still had kids at home, it seemed like there was never enough time for myself and especially time to do the things I wanted to do.  Things I always imagined myself doing after I slowed down a bit or after I retired.  I have often said I want to paint again at least something besides an interior wall. The irony of life is when you are busy all the time, you have great ideas, but no time and when you have the time, you have no ideas. In my case, I have the time, but I've lost the desire to finally do the things I always wanted to do like painting and being creative.  I sure hope I get it all back before life passes me by.  I'm working on it.  Trying desperately to get motivated again.

I think every time I get sick it brings me down. So my question to you...is what do you do to keep motivated?  The best advice I can give anyone is do the things you love when you are young.  Make the time for those dreams, the things that you are passionate about doing.  Don't wait.

I have a hard time sitting still for a long period of time.  One of the reasons I never learned to crochet is because I can't be still long enough.  Remember those cute little felt stockings with all the sequins?  I did one stocking for every member of our oldest son's family.  I even helped my best friend out by finishing one of her grand kid's stocking.  That was about five years ago when I was still busy with work and life.  Fast forward to now.  So instead of oil painting or water colors, I am doing a stocking for our youngest son.  He is a fireman and soon to be para medic.  I found the cutest fireman Santa with a Dalmatian dog on it.  He is not married yet, so I'll just start one or two for his future. I do enjoy having something quick to do especially in the winter months.  Maybe that is a start.

Retirement is not at all what I thought it would be.  In fact, some days are so long. I run out of things to clean, organize and do before the day is even over.  I have always been so busy all of my life with my family, work, church, friends and home that I never imagined a day where I would have all the time to do what I wanted. It is daunting to get up and do the same thing over and over again.  I mean...how many times can you clean house, then there's the days when I don't feel good and get very little down.  I think I have to constantly achieve something everyday in order to be successful.

Do you ever feel that way?  Maybe it's just me being too hard on myself.  Still, I thought I would ask the question. For those of you that are retired, how did you slow down? I'm feeling a bit lost with too much time on my hand.  My darling Hubs is always working on a project.  He seems so content.  He is productive.  Looking back, I see that I always gave everything I had to everyone else,but myself.  I am going to start working on it again and again until I achieve something I want to do for myself.

16 comments:

larkswing said...

I am nog retired, but all that extra time while finding full time work proved that I need structure. Not sure how to plan for the retirement years, but we are going to have to have a plan beyond these walks :-)

So, whatcha got planned tomorrow? :-) Maybe start an art journal? Hmmmm...:-)

DeEtta said...

You are on the right track by making stockings. Start small and finish what you start. That is a lesson I have had to learn. I always start something but never finish. Right now I am busy getting my pictures organized and life story written. Personally, I don't like retirement especially with our children living so far away. Have to be creative in keeping in touch and letting them know I love them. That takes lots of thought and time.

Plan your day and work your plan.

The Bear's Blog said...

Good Morning,

Well, Prudence is coming home from summer camp tomorrow but I know what she would tell you: "Miss Pam, make a teddy bear, laugh at yourself at least once a day, and take nice quiet walks".

Have a wonderful weekend, and sometimes Prudence does make a lot of sense - and then there are those other times.....

Hugs ♥

Akelamalu said...

I've been retired since December 2009 and can honestly say I really don't know how I had time to work! I always seem to be busy, going to the gym, cleaning, gardening, reading, shopping, blogging, travelling PHEW! I get up just after 7a.m. every day, which is an hour later than when I was working and I am really enjoying retirement. :)

Finding Pam said...

Lailani, that is some good advice about the art journel.


DeEtta, I like your motto "Plan your day and work your plan". I think I am in a funk right now.


Prudence, I need to visit more often because you are so positive. Many thanks.


Akelamula, You know what they say about a busy person? "If you want to get something done then ask a busy person."

Sandee said...

You need to do something for you every single day. Just one thing and just for you. You'll find that you'll end up doing more than just one thing for you after a bit. I'm just saying.

I guess I'm fortunate as I'm healthy and love my retirement. We boat heavily and do other wonderful things together.

Have a terrific day Pam. Big hugs honey and I love you to pieces. :)

Finding Pam said...

Sandee, I'm feeling like I live in a remote part of the World. This living deep in the country has a lot of good things, but the down side is it takes forever to drive to anywhere. I don't feel like I am connected to the outside World.

You are most blessed to love retirement. I still miss work.

Sandee, I love you to pieces, too.
Something just for me everyday? I'
ll give that a try.



Rudee said...

I'm semi-retired and still have no desire to do most things. I knit like an animal, though, and I love it. The dust bunnies can wait!

Finding Pam said...

Thanks Rudee for you comment. LOL about the dust bunnies.

Chickie said...

If you're outta things to clean, you can come visit me!

I'm so not kidding. lol

Mimi said...

I'm like you, feeling I've achieved nothing if I haven't crossed loads of things off my list. Then a friend who had to retire early cos of ill health, said she tries to achieve just one thing a day, and is happy with that. Her words slowed me down!
I think a small project to start with would be a good idea. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and ease up on the cleaning.
If you're thinking creative things the book "the Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron is a beautiful read, and will unlock something!

Finding Pam said...


Chickie, I bet your home doesn't get very messy even with Sunny's toys. BTW she is so cute.




Mimi, that sounds like really good advice. I guess I am way ahead of myself with most of the things I get done. For some weird reason I think I have to always be busy.

Thank you for the book recommendation. I will check it out.

Xmichra said...

I am not in the reflective state yet (I have no time..lol...) but I am sure I will see that later as well since I see it now but haven't the time or effort to change that at the moment!

I have seen a few people in my family retire, and it's a hard spell to go from the working world to retirment... not having a set schedule and rush. My Father in law had a really hard time with it, he had to retire early because of the back surgeries he's had. He's had it rough, because he was laid out for a long time then couldn't return to work.. so it really ate at him. My grandfather on the other hand, he worked super hard right up to 68, then retired finally because he wanted to travel more. He did jsut fine, but it was on his own time that the choice was made.

I think it's just a change that will take some getting used to, and once you find your stride it'll be good :) Treat retirement like a new career, the average time to get comfortable in a new carrer is 8 months, and proficiency another year after that. So give yourself some time to adjust ;)

Just Be Real said...

Sometimes I put demands on myself as well in order to accomplish something that makes me feel worthy. Hugs to you Pam

Debra said...

I've been giving the subject of retirement a lot of thought lately since our hospital is talking about layoffs, downsizing and closing some units. And yes the detox unit is one that the powers that be think we can do without. It hasn't happened yet but who knows what will happen! I have no idea what I would do or even what I could do. So for right now, I'm trying to practice what I have been preaching for 18 years. Key word..."trying".

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Oh Pam...your words about living life...not waiting. My good friend died two days ago...lung cancer. He never smoked and he wanted to live so badly. We never know....Motivation for me comes from being out in nature...even a simple walk in the woods pumps me. I'm not retired but am a stay at home mom....and when the kids are in school...I have to push myself sometimes so I get what you're saying....Hey if you lived nearby...I'd tell you to come on over. :)