It’s a lot harder to say NO these days. I used to have a ready excuse for not wanting to do something: “Sorry, I’m so busy with work.” It was a legitimate reason. I was often extremely busy and had difficulty balancing any added commitments. But if I’m honest, it was also a handy excuse.… Continue reading Retiring The Excuse
Category: Emotional journey
Righting My Life/Work Balance
It is wonderful to be retired. I’m not going to lie. I love having the flexibility in my day to take care of my own needs for exercise, daylight, writing, nutrition, hydration and social interaction. I’m no longer trying to wedge self-care into a bulging work schedule of teaching, planning, marking, reports and paperwork. But… Continue reading Righting My Life/Work Balance
Learning What You Don’t Know: step two in the process
According to psychology, there are four steps to acquiring mastery over a new set of skills.* At first, you don’t know what you don’t know: ignorance is bliss. But then the thorny second stage begins, and there’s a wave of overwhelm as you realize just how much you don’t know. I’m in this stage now… Continue reading Learning What You Don’t Know: step two in the process
Getting Familiar With Discomfort
I didn’t realize how important discomfort would be during my journey from retired teacher to something else. I knew there would be challenges and change but I didn’t understand how essential it would be to accept not feeling comfortable, to realize that it’s a good thing. The Familiar Is Comfortable. My automatic reaction to discomfort… Continue reading Getting Familiar With Discomfort
Enjoying A Sideways Move
In my early years of teaching I made my first move from teaching kindergarten to teaching grade one, and I was met with a strange response from the parent community: congratulations. It made me laugh, and slightly annoyed. People outside the field of education equate an opportunity to teach a higher grade as a promotion.… Continue reading Enjoying A Sideways Move
Senior People
Senior management. Senior partner. Put the word “senior” in front of “judge” or “senator” and it conjures up an image of extensive experience, vast knowledge, and confident leadership. Now, place the word “senior” in front of domestic labels: senior care, senior portion and senior home. The image is one of fragility. Gone is the impact… Continue reading Senior People
Oversharing: Rambling On To Others
It can be embarrassing. I’ve been standing at the counter paying for a book and suddenly I’m sharing all about why I love this book and what this author means to me. The salesperson usually smiles politely as they hand me my receipt and I walk away sheepishly, realizing I’ve overshared…again. Self-Awareness I was lucky… Continue reading Oversharing: Rambling On To Others
Growing From A Caretaker To A Listener
I’ve recently become aware of the caretaker role and how much I have invested in being a caretaker for family and friends. I thought it was a good thing, but now I’m seeing it differently and realizing that caretaking has a harmful side that I never intended. As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you… Continue reading Growing From A Caretaker To A Listener
Being Stuck
I’ve been there. Stuck. It’s that despondent feeling that you have to put up with a life situation because change is too difficult to even contemplate. As a young parent, I was stuck. I didn’t drive. Struggling In Winter Weather. I used a stroller to push my toddler through the snow to daycare before hopping… Continue reading Being Stuck
Your Home Serves You
What if your home’s purpose is to be a space where you can function? If it’s a place that serves me and my family, and what we want to do in the space, then I’ve been thinking about my home the wrong way for years. Assumed The Room’s Function. When the real estate agent described… Continue reading Your Home Serves You
Retired, And Now What? 