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| Relaxing in Hawaii before we had our sun set sail in the Pacific. |
Reflections from a Semi-Retired Librarian(from a conversation at some bar with Dave- of course that is where we have the best talks!)
It’s crazy to think that I have been retired from my public education job for one year:) and now, suddenly, I’m feeling the need to reflect.
Have I made the most of my time off? Do I feel fulfilled? Am I missing the connection with other professionals that full-time work provides?
What have I been doing since I left the public schools My last day of full-time work was June 30, 2015 and in Michigan that is the best time of year. The days are long, the weather is warm and the sky is blue. I know last summer we biked lots and we ran our first duathlon, traveled to Colorado, Chicago and vacationed many times up-north to bike. Since then, I decided to work part-time in public and college libraries. I have accepted substitute library jobs that are during the day; freeing up my weekends and evenings, and also I restrict myself to only working 20 hours a week—which allows me a huge amount of time to spend with Dave, friends and family The extra money I earn as a substitute librarian has allowed Dave and me to travel to Petoskey in September, Hawaii in December, South Beach in January, the Caribbean in February, and New York in April! So much travel that I would never have been able to do if I had not retired from my full-time employment. When working in public schools, employees can’t take time off during the school year which forces teachers to travel during the summer months or scheduled breaks. Travel is expensive during those peak times, so now that I am semi-retired and have holes in my schedule, we are able to travel pretty much whenever we want. That alone was worth taking the plunge! We have saved so much money traveling during the non-peak times.
I joined an exercise health spa over a year ago and while working I was lucky to get there once a week. I felt so guilty spending the money on the membership especially when I didn’t go often. Now in my semi-retirement phase, I try to go everyday for an hour of two. I love the classes they offer: yoga, spin, swimming. I feel better in my skin and I definitely have more energy.
I don’t miss the connection I had with my teaching friends. How could I- I still see them and we text often. We have a book club now and we participate in monthly discussions. They have such a busy schedule that I find it boggling that I used to be just as busy as them. I really don’t know how I did it. I always wondered if I would feel less significant in the world since I was not responsible for teaching hundreds of students each semester, but I don’t. I have become the student now-soaking up as much information as possible through my reading and blogging.
How could I not feel fulfilled? I only work 20 hours a week, I go to a health spa most days before I go to work, the house is clean and organized, my daughters are healthy and happy and I have time now to read, sit, think, blog, garden, travel, have long conversations with Dave and with friends— what more could a person ask for??
Working less, Retirement, semi-Retirement, the next phase, whatever we decide to call this- all I know is it is amazing and I am grateful that I am here to enjoy it 🙂
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