How are we defining "retirement?"

February 1, 2024

We’ve been retired roughly six months and its been a journey defining what that means. The first three months we spent in Europe (I’m still trying to catch up with posting those travels). Upon our return, I celebrated a birthday, traveled to MN for three days to see friends, we traveled to New Orleans for a week, hosted Thanksgiving with all three kids, spent 20 days in Hawaii, flew to MN overnight for a theatrical production (Mrs. Doubtfire) starring a high school friend, and welcomed my Mom to Denver for Christmas before we all headed to Estes Park for a few days to round out the year.

As I’m not one to sit still, I’ve already been to Phoenix for a few days, staying with my first cousin and connecting with a former work colleague and dear friend. I just returned from a week in OH, starting in Cincinnati to visit a new friend from our Italian cruise (and enjoyed the musical Beetleguise), followed by Canton where I reconnected with two high school friends, another former work colleague and spent a few days with my mom. I also took in a second performance of Mrs. Doubtfire in Cleveland with my mom, a highschool friend and her daughter. These are all activities my former employed self would have never made time to enjoy.

When I’ve been home in Denver, Chris and I engage in regular exercise, walks, hikes, trying new recipes, and reconnecting with friends for dinner or happy hour. Chris skis, or golfs, and I’m exploring new hobbies – I want to make a quilt I saw at a shop in Phoenix, and we’re listening to audio tapes of Spanish lessons. I’m also resurrecting years of photographs and making cards again. We’re establishing baseline relationships with new physicians, testing out new insurance on the exchange, babysitting our great niece, and helping our youngest daughter update and decorate her home (the condo we purchased on our way out the door to Europe!)

I now understand how other people who have retired comment on being busier now then when they worked full-time. It’s a different busy. It’s doing things we want to do and love. Not punching a time clock and trying to squeeze life in between working hours. We’ve sketched out our travels for the rest of the year and are beginning to plan trips (See TRAVEL RESOURCES: Planning).

I guess the big question "Is this enough?" will only be answered with time.