Retirement Nightmare–T.K. Thorne

 

 

 

Writer, humanist,
          dog-mom, horse servant and cat-slave,
       Lover of solitude
          and the company of good friends,
        new places, new ideas
           and old wisdom.

 

 

I just cannot figure it out.  How is life still whirling by, filled with so much, to do when I am supposed to be retired? Okay, I am a little A.D.D. and a dear friend who is also a therapist told me that means my frontal cortex is always looking for stimulation. I know this to be true because…. 

One day, back when I was working full time, I decided to test what it felt like to be retired, so I went out on my front porch and sat in a rocking chair overlooking our pasture, a bucolic, peaceful scene.  The idea was to do nothing, pretending that I had all the time in the world and could finally just sit and rock, as I imagined old people did.  

I lasted exactly six rocks. Then I jumped up to find something to do. 

All my life I had looked forward to the day when I would be free to write full time, to read as much as I wanted, to travel, to do fun stuff. Now, a new fear arose: Was I going to fail at retirement?

When the actual, real “R” date loomed, I grew anxious. I was accustomed to being around people every day and having very full days (writing only in the evenings and weekends) and meaningful work. I couldn’t imagine writing for eight hours or not seeing my friends. I lived almost an hour from town and worried I might feel isolated. What if I had to sit on my front porch and rock and do nothing?

My anxiety grew. I  even took a workshop called “Aging Gracefully” and started writing a book about how to face retirement!  At some point it dawned on me that I had a car, for heaven’s sake, and a driver’s license. I could go see the people and places I wanted to see!  Silly, yes, but this one thought felt like a life saver.

Hard to believe that was six years ago! Hard to believe how fulfilling and full my life is. I’m so fortunate in so many ways!  Life is precious, y’all. Choose carefully what you fill it with. Make sure it is a mix of self fulfillment, giving back, and making the world a better place, even in tiny ways.

That’s actually all I have to say, because I’ve been so busy, it was just yesterday I realized I needed to write something for today!  

Oh yes, PS —

The final book in my trilogy about a police officer who discovers she is a witch has made its debut, and I am thrilled to have it complete.  It didn’t get a coming out party because of Covid, but 

 

…announcing  the long-awaited HOUSE OF IRON!

 

 

T.K.Thorne is a retired police captain who writes Books, which, like this blog, go wherever her curiosity and imagination take her.  More at TKThorne.com

11 replies
  1. Donnell Ann Bell
    Donnell Ann Bell says:

    What a fantastic blog! My husband's retired and he wonders how he ever found time to work. I stopped working at 50 with the promise if I didn't get publish, I'd go back. Haven't had to. Happy book birthday. I MUST read the book about the police officer who discovers she's a witch!

  2. T.K. Thorne
    T.K. Thorne says:

    Thank you, Donnell, so happy you were able to get published and write full time at 50. That is quite an accomplishment. Enjoy Rose!

  3. Debra H. Goldstein
    Debra H. Goldstein says:

    I can speak to the fact that you figured out how to keep busy – friends, volunteer teaching, writing, painting, etc., etc. animals, etc., etc. Congrats on the new book. Fun trilogy… but I still love Noah's Wife.

  4. T.K. Thorne
    T.K. Thorne says:

    Debra, don't think I own the patent on staying busy, lol! Thanks and you are allowed to love NOAH'S WIFE. First borns are always special.

  5. Saralyn
    Saralyn says:

    Congratulations on an active and fulfilling non-retirement retirement. I agree that people should never retire from doing the things they love, the things that make the world a better place. And congratulations on your newest book. House of Rose is on my night stand!

  6. Gay Yellen
    Gay Yellen says:

    Retirement means different things for different people, T.K. So happy you've found your own groove. Congrats on capping off the trilogy!

  7. Lynn
    Lynn says:

    What a great post! I'm counting down the days, well actually years, until my big R day. Although I'm looking forward to it, it scares me a little because I tend to get most of my writing done in that hour or two before I have to log into the day job. Having all day to write is intimidating LOL

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