Ten Random Insights after Six Months of Retirement

In a few days, I will have completed a half a year as a retiree.  Although many people probably figured this stuff out long ago, these were all new insights to ME.

1. I’ve spent decades multitasking, so I’m finding it hard to focus on just one thing for extended periods.  I need to relearn how to uni-task!
2. After a lifetime of structure, it is slightly disorienting to suddenly be without any structure at all:  no school term, no work week, just a 24 hour day, 7 day time span.  When I wake up, it takes a while for me to figure out what day it is.
3. Once I got used to being free form, I discovered it is quite wonderful.  Plus, I quickly realized I can create as much or as little structure as I want.
4. During my working decades, I had fantasies of what I would do if only I had the time.  I now have the time, and I’m slowly discovering which of those things I REALLY want to do and which are, in reality,  not so appealing.
5. It is amazing how quickly time flies when you are doing what you want to do, when you want to do it.
6. My local Y is a wondrous place.  It is truly a community center, with all ages being served.  It is particularly inspiring to see significantly older members being active and engaged. How fortunate I am to have such a large Y nearby, with so many classes and activities.
7. There are so many interesting, worthwhile volunteer possibilities; I need to resist over committing.  Now is the time to explore different organizations and activities to determine which ones will be my focus for the future.  (Does that count as uni-tasking?)
8. As tempting as it is to book lots of activities, I’m finding it better to keep some time unscheduled to allow life to unfold.  By staying flexible, I’m able to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, like a road trip to New Mexico with my son, starting tomorrow.
9. Home made chicken broth IS worth the effort! Although cutting up your own chicken is cost-effective, what is equally important is that it TASTES better.  (Or at least that’s what I tell myself.)
10. I need to find a better word for this stage of my life.  The reaction that I get when I say I’m retired leads me to believe that others view it as a stage of inactivity, stagnation, lots of TV and sleep.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Any suggestions for a more descriptive term?

Well, I said it was going to be random…what about you other retirees out there?  What insights can you share?