Thursday, November 24, 2016

One of the hardest parts of being retired is that a person has to find a new identity.  I taught for 36 years, and I was a teacher.  When I was out and about, former students would come up to me and say hi and thank me for whoever influence I may have had in their lives.  Navigating through the post-retirement world has been a bit easier than I thought it would be, but it should come with an owner's manual.
My first mistake was getting too involved.  I have always worked since college graduation, and I had no idea how to manage free time.  Different organizations and groups began to ask me if I would volunteer and being the easy heart, I would agree.  Soon, I found myself being away from home more than I did when I was teaching.  The more I gave my time, more was asked of me.  Can you help?  Please help.  We need you to help.  Of course I was needed.  I felt good.
Add to that substitute teaching.  I was on the fence about substituting until a former student asked me to fill in for him.  The word quickly got around that I was subbing, and my dance card quickly filled up.  My calendar was booked with subbing and volunteer activities, and I was more tired than I was when I was in the classroom full time.
Time to hit the brakes.
I had three goals when I retired--to lose weight or at least to get into shape, compile my dad's World War II memors, and to clean out the attic.  Guess how many of those goals have been achieved.  You're right.
So the decision was made to prioritize.  What is most important to me?  Honestly, it is nice to get a litttle extra money for a vacation fund, and subbing two days a week brings in a few hundred dollars a month.  If I can do anything, I can teach.  Then, I thought about what the importance question.  I decided very quickly that it's God, dogs, and history (in addition to family, of course), so volunteeering is concentrated on church, the local animal shelter, and docent work for our county historical educational commission.  Life is bit more manageable now.
My Uranus lesson?   Do what makes you happy and fulfilled.  That's a wonderful feeling.

No comments:

Post a Comment