540 days after retirement, I still wake up naturally at 5:30 in the morning.
The goji berries float in the thermos on my bedside table, and the light from the computer screen reflects on my face.
This scene is strikingly similar to when I worked at my office computer before retirement.
Only now, the keys I strike are writing my own retirement essays.
01
Many people believe that after retirement, they can finally enjoy a life of leisure. However, I believe that idleness is not enjoyment; one must enhance their energy after retirement. In the 540 days since I retired, I have lived a disciplined yet leisurely life, gradually regaining the feeling of controlling my life. From being a strong yet sensitive office worker, I have become a full-time homebody.
When I say full-time homebody, I am jokingly referring to myself; this ‘sitting’ is not the same as ‘working’. Hehe.
Now that I am retired and without a profession, sitting at home has made me a full-time homebody.
I often say that one cannot be too idle; idleness is like watered-down wine, which can burn your heart if consumed too much.
02
On my last day at work, a nurse friend secretly asked me, “Are you planning to dance in the square every day after retirement?”
I shook my head with a smile, but my heart sank a little. Apparently, in the eyes of my colleagues, my later life should be confined to the template of ‘dancing in the square’. For the first three months, I indeed felt like a top spinning after being suddenly released. I would sleep until late morning, binge-watch dramas, but I maintained a good habit of exercising every day. I began to observe the vibrant retirees in my community:
Those who practice calligraphy while exercising in the morning, the old man in Building 6 dancing Xinjiang dance with exaggerated expressions, and Dr. Liu, who writes notes in the café.
They all share a common trait: they are continuously charging themselves.
03
When I signed up for an online writing course, someone laughed at me, “Are you trying to become an elderly internet celebrity?”
Now my public account “Xiang Nu Xu Yu” relies on my loyal fans, those of you who give me likes and leave comments every day, thank you, haha.
The most popular article has over 300,000 views, but that was just a stroke of luck. I have a small vegetable garden on my platform, which is also my secret base.
When dirt is embedded in my fingernails, I feel more grounded than when I finish a manicure.
When the tomatoes turn red, I give them to my neighbors, and I receive not just thanks, but also the warmth of being needed.04Many people think that self-discipline is for the young, but in fact, self-discipline after retirement is more like health tea, with just the right concentration and a lingering sweetness.
Last week, while organizing my bookshelf, I came across my plans from the beginning of the year, year-end summaries, performance reports, etc., and I am now crossing them off one by one.
I am learning to sing, recite, practice physical fitness, and plan to write my memoir of the first 50 years of my life.
My good colleagues always say, “When I finally have time to relax, I will…” If you are still in the workplace, you might want to observe: the things you willingly invest your time in on weekends could be your career after retirement.
If you are already retired, try turning “killing time” into “investing time”.
Just like I transformed writing from a pastime into a ‘full-time homebody’ career, the process is more important than the result.
Standing at the center of life at 55, I fully understand:
The true retirement dividend is not just the numbers in the bank account, but the state of living life to the fullest.
After all, wrinkles can grow on the face, but they should not grow in the heart.
🍀🍀Author Bio: A woman over 50, main occupation: retired 🍀🍀Side occupation: loves life, captures beauty, shares life.