What To Do? Something? or Nothing?

Imagining your life after work isn’t simple, or is it? For those that only wake up, work and go home to a TV, it can be scary. For us, it was a sigh of relief. The pressure valve is released and we can finally breathe. Our weekly photo posts theme is Something to do. So let’s dive into, well, something.

Fortunately, “Nothing-to-do” does make an appearance, otherwise we’d never take a break. Since “Nothing-to-do” is a rare visitor, I have to remind myself it’s ok to just chill. It’s ok if “Something-to-do” piles up on the to-do list; it really can just wait.

Relishing My Nothing

It’s dark. Our 16-year old puggle, Cooper, starts stirring and his old man noises begin. My feet hit the floor and I toe tap around in the dark for my slippers.

Cooper excitedly senses my movement and like clockwork our day is beginning. A quick finger push starts my coffee a’brewing then Cooper dashes for the front door ready to dart out and take care of business.

My awakening brain is attempting to recall today’s plan, I’m sure there is something? Something-to-do? Nah, not yet. Pushing that thought aside, I grab my favorite coffee cup and pad over to sofa. Only after rearranging pillows and a warm throw is it time to snuggle in. Clutching my iPad in one hand and the cup in the other I take up my do nothing lounge position.

Nothing-to-do in the predawn morning is one of the best perks of retirement. My mind starts wandering as Cooper contently begins snoring.

Is Nothing Short lived?

After a few minutes of email reading, Reddit, Pinterest, the NY Times wordle and mini crossword, facebook, maybe even a kindle book, I tap the ToDo icon. It’s time to remind myself what I hope to accomplish today.

There it is. The nothing starts fading and my something starts to engage. It’s warming up to kickstart the day. Wait. I’m not quite ready.

I tell something to be quiet. Just a little longer. Better yet, just wait until daybreak arrives, then you can join me.

Snuggling a little deeper in the still dark living room, I now continue on with nothing to do. The house makes it’s quiet-ish noises otherwise, it’s peacefully quiet.

I jumpt from rabbit hole to rabbit hole. I could be reading, shopping, researching, exploring, or planning. It feels good to just openly explore my random thoughts one after another without the constraint of time.

I become aware of daylight peaking in the window. Now, it’s time to get busy. Something is done waiting. It is time to leave my nothing until tomorrow.

I used to wonder how I’d fill my retirement days. Turns out most of us perform the same mental gymnastics of how to fill that commute, the job, the children void. Turns out, that if you have social, creative, or personal interests, the void fills itself. I include lounging on the couch a personal interest! Finding that freedom to lounge in the morning, travel on whim, fulfill a dream, or indulge in a new hobby are all wonderful “somethings” that a healthy retirement enables.

My Top 10 Best Something-to-dos

River sunrise accompanies my leisurely morning time

1. Letting the morning unfold leisurely (let the mind explore and think). Even better with an amazing sunrise.

2. Kitchen experiments (staying healthy through diet changes).

3. Mid day snuggle time with the big guy (catch up on YouTube).

4. Learning new skills and nerding out (just upgraded our mobile network router for better coverage and performance and am now diving into smart home automation automation).

5. Building a house or shouse as I call it. (Our biggest retirement project to date).

6. Focus on creative pursuits (photography, blogging and video creation).

7. Reconnect with old friends from my past including past co-workers and childhood friends.

8. Stress free ability to offer my time to my family (helped Mom relocate to new state and cared for my sister through a few surgeries).

9. Feed my wanderlust often (i.e., discover new off road hideaways on our public lands and parks).

10. And, my favorite something to do is widdling down my list of “want to dos” such as:

Dived in Cozumel dive, river rafting, Montana backpacking, numerous National parks, a lava cave, made greek yogurt, show shoed, kayaking, tried blueberry beer, had multiple wildlife encounters, got stuck in the mud, fall asleep under the stars and so much more!

Something To Do Collection Photos

Here’s a few of my something to do collection! Even though there’s always something to do, finding the nothing to do is my daily fuel. Starting my day off with nothing typically starts me off on the right foot.