I remember driving home from my last day at work thinking “so this is what it feels like to be retired”.  You could not wipe the smile off my face.  I was both relieved and excited to start that new chapter in my life.

I woke up the next morning and took my time to really smell the coffee.  I had chosen to retire in late June so I had the whole summer ahead to enjoy my new found freedom.  How quickly you realize that you have so much extra time, at least 8 hours in a day, to take on those “Honey do List” items.

Our children had all moved out so my wife and I needed to find a common ground to enjoy each other’s company without over staying each other’s welcome so to speak.  I loved to work outside the house on the landscaping where my wife enjoyed woodworking and making house renovations with a little of my help.  However, one thing we really enjoyed was playing golf together.  We had found a balance between being apart and being together.

Almost immediately, our daily schedules began filling up with weddings to attend, social gatherings with friends, golf outings and travelling to be with our children and grand children.  Having retired fairly early,  I quickly realized that I needed more in my retirement life.  That’s when I landed my part-time job at the local golf course.  I once again had a purpose.  I had a reason to get up early and work 4 or 5 hours and then still have the time to come home and spend the rest of the day relaxing.  I had truly found my dream come true retirement life.

After working for 35 years you become accustomed to meeting goals and achieving something meaningful.  My maintenance work at the golf course was the fix I needed to feel whole again.  To feel that sense of purpose that others would appreciate.  I certainly wanted to eliminate any possibility of boredom or at worst any chance of depression.  No way that was happening.

I can’t stress enough the importance of feeling your retirement is that one opportunity you get in life for a new beginning.  There is so much out there to chase after.  Let your imagination wonder.  Take that chance, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.