Retirement Freefall:
From "I'm Flying!" to "Where In The Heck Am I Going?"

by Gretchen
(Tustin, California)

After nearly 30 years, last July 1, I slept in (on a weekday!) and then sat out on my patio, enjoying two leisurely cups of coffee and reading... for two hours! Whee! Every night is Friday night, and every day is Saturday!

And then that gets boring! :-)

I do what I want when I want, but quickly realized this is NOT all about me.

I want to contribute, so I am very active in two organizations (I am on the board of our local historical society and I recently joined Republican Women Federation).

Including these activities and my family, I am pretty much busy every day--and not at all bored.

If I live selfishly, I become alone in everything -- if I open my mind, heart and arms to people and causes around me, I become enriched and I have value. Choose this latter path every time!

Life is a gift--working was just a part of it and that chapter is now closed. On to more adventures! And honestly, remember that we are in transition -- give yourself a little slack, and time!

I've started my own blog (http://ramblingsrecentlyretired.blogspot.com) but no one is reading it. Please check it out!

I enjoy reading about all of you on this site--what a great idea, to share our thoughts and learn!

Wendy: Loved your bolded words above! Truly words for retirees to live by. Thank you!!