Early retirement...Why am I so lazy now...!!

[earsup]

Last year very busy...was the second year of the early retirement from teaching....got lots done....diy, gardening etc....And now I have 2 little jobs left to do....fit some insulation to the loft hatch and attach some plastic roof stuff to our gazebo thing in the garden.....
I do quite a lot of yoga...live class 3 times a week...other than that....it's housework....kids long gone....bit of cooking...some days out on the train and a few walks....I remember when working full time, I would thrash through tasks rapidly....now I look and the list and procrastinate...!!

How old are you, OP.

Could you have retired too young?

There is no virtue in being busy. Literally none.

Busy-ness is a habit, nothing more.

Think about what you want to cultivate : serenity? Creativity? Friendships?

Nobody ever wanted to devote their life to busyness!

I retired late 2020 and love not having to do anything or be anywhere set to other people's deadlines.

Reached the point now that dental and flu jab appointment reminders have me rolling my eyes like a teen asked to do something!

@MamDancer I laughed out loud at that so true. One lunch date a month seems a bit intrusive tbh

I'm not sure busyness is a habit as much as a side effect of parenthood and mortgage responsibilities

@Whinginadeville

I'm not sure busyness is a habit as much as a side effect of parenthood and mortgage responsibilities

It's also seen as a virtue. Nit sure why packing the unforgiving minute with loads of things that don't have to be done is so applauded in our society. I love just watching the squirrels and the birds. But maybe I am lazy.

@SuperbLyrebird

How old are you, OP.

Could you have retired too young?

Am 57...our department closed down so was offered redundancy and early retirement at same time...tbh...deal was too good to refuse...!! Anyway those 2 jobs are now done...!!...I noted I had 2 hours before yoga so turned off phone and laptop and got it done so no distractions...now today am sitting out in the garden and organising my patio plants etc....will paint the kitchen next week No reply to the 2 part time jobs I applied for...early days...

Same age as me, OP, and no way would I want to retire. You could have 30 years plus trying to fill time. Part-time is the way to go. Good luck with the applications.

I can quite easily sit and do nothing, like today, the weather is beautiful l am enjoying my garden. Life is not meant to be rush, rush, rush, work, work, work.
I wouldn't worry about being productive, you've earnt this slower pace of li fe, enjoy .

We took early retirement but the children are still young (youngest just started secondary school this week) and what with being on various voluntary committees, and our shared hobby, running the boys to and from their schools and activities and running around after elderly parents I honestly don't think I've ever been so busy!

Jeez woman enjoy your down time, it's so well deserved! We call it hurry sickness in our house When you're so used to having to do eight things at once quickly because of a stressful job etc.

When the job goes, it's easy for the hurry sickness to stick around, so you have to get rid of it by chilling out and learning to relax - and not having a list of things to tick off just to feel as if you are justifying down time!