I'm not feeling like my life is very interesting at the moment. Retirement is about filling your days. The fun is that you can do anything you want. The challenge is you can put off to tomorrow what you don't get done today. And time just seems to fill, easily. I usually like having only one thing planned for a day. One appointment. And it seems like that day is filled up. And the appointment may only last 30 - 60 minutes. But there's getting ready for the appointmentt. And driving to the appointment. And driving home from the appointment. And since I'm out of the house, I'll run an errand or two. Whew! Hours have passed. Busy day!
And I have massage appointments and cold laser appointments and attorney appointments and financial planner appointments. Gotta get my affairs in order before heading out on the trail for another 6 months. So what does my financial planner tell me: Get a job! You've got to be kidding, right? I'm retired! Retired people don't work. They play. I'm playing. I've finally adjusted to the idea that I have no purpose on this earth. That mine is just to exist. (And not spend any money doing it.) So is she serious? She can't be. Who would hire me at this age? I'm 60 for crying out loud! (And I do, whenever I think about how old I am!) Washed up! Over the hill! And besides, I wouldn't want to take the job from a younger person who needs is during these difficult times. Oh, I need it? But I can't. I'm retired. I can't even imagine having to be some place on a regular basis. Talk about tying me down. Then I wouldn't be able to just up and fly to Florida to visit my daughter. Or go west to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Or volunteer at Shalom Mountain. Or dream about biking around the world. Or help daughter #2 open her coffee shop in St. Augustine. Or...or...or... (you fill in the blanks.)
So...the challenge is: how do I start earning an income but not leave retirement? Hmmm? I'll have to think about that one. Guess I could do that while I'm hiking for 2,650 miles. I have nothing else to think about all that time. Out of the box. Something creative, inspiring, easy, flexible, portable that generates cash flow.
But for now, I'll think about hiking in 100 degree heat with no water; hiking across glaciers and glacial streams; hiking through millions of mosquitos; hiking in a magnificent mountain range; hiking with new friends; sleeping out under the stars on a mountain top night after night; eating everything in sight and still losing weight; being dirty, grubby, smelly and loving every minute; being exhausted, in pain, bored, and beat but not wanting to quit; yea! I'll think about hiking the PCT.
Get a job? Not in the near future because I have other plans. Life's too short to not live every minute as if it's your last. And I have things to do, places to go, and people to meet. I don't have time to get a job. Have to figure out what Plan B is, that's for sure!
