My Early Retirement

It involves a lot of laundry.

Meal prep, sweeping.

Staring at the cupboards thinking, "What now?"

Staring into the fridge thinking, "What now?"

Staring into the sink thinking, "What now?"

Standing in the kitchen.

My early retirement involves a lot of assessing.

This room needs this, this room needs that, this thing needs washed, this thing needs repaired.
And then, just choosing a couple. I don't want to overdo it.

I mean, I'm in early retirement.

It involves a lot of self discipline. Who knew?

No alarm to wake me, just my inner voice screaming, "Better get up!"

The free expanse of the late night hours closed to me still. What good happens at that time anyway? Even in early retirement?

Better go to bed. Remember, the morning.
(But 1am is fun too.)

A bit of not doing the things I thought I'd want to do, that's part, too.

That sewing project I'd been putting off? For retirement?
Ugh, who cares! I can just BUY a new bag if I need one.
And, I don't GO anywhere in retirement, so, who cares!
The fabric is still pretty, though. So, I'll leave it out.

After all, my early retirement isn't over yet.

A bit of doing the things I thought I'd want to do. Only, wearing leggings for most of them.

A bit of staying in one place.

But, groceries. Always still need to get those things. In fact, since when did that slave labour replace my job?
Something to DO.
Get out of the house. Fortify.
Bring a bag along.
Just not a new one.

The inbox will always be full. Retirement or not.

I am learning that early.

So that when someday I have a later retirement, it won't be so shocking.

But what after? What after this early retirement, and before that later retirement? (God willing.)
Will I lose all I have gained here?

It's almost as if I'm in a new love affair. And the person has reminded me of who I am again.
(And also pointed out my flaws.)

Will I forget once the passion has dulled and we slide into the humdrum?




No! I will not. After all, the laundry will be coming too.

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