I retired at the end of the 2025 school year. I’m still finding my way.
Check off travel: We spent a week in Scotland over the Labor Day weekend. (It seems like a dream now.)
Daily walks with my dog, Albert: We did this earlier on school days. Now I get to stop and chat with neighbors along the way.
Time with grandchildren: I’m driving to New Orleans this afternoon for another few days with Thomas. I hope to get in some Sam snuggles, too.
Domestic stuff: Watering the grass, doing the laundry, cooking (wait! I haven’t done much of that), financials, cleaning…There is always a list of chores.
On Monday, I told Jeff I was finally going to have a real retirement day. I had a massage and lunch with a friend (also retired). Taking care of myself in this way makes me feel guilty. Isn’t there something more productive I “should” be doing?
I had to buy a paper calendar, no free one from the school photo company. It’s mostly full, but I find myself with pockets of time rather than a whole day. So what do you do with an hour here or there?
People say I will get into a rhythm, a routine, settle in to retirement. It’s only September.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret,
A trip is a good way to begin retirement. Scotland is lovely! I think retirement is different for everyone. Mine began right before the pandemic. These days the work of the NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee takes much of my time, and I recently began leading a restorative writing workshop. Soon MCTE will be here, followed by a trip to Japan. My retirement has been one of privilege. Too many don’t have that security or the luxury of travel and rest. I’m sure you’ll stay as busy as you want to be.
I do love the luxury of being able to travel without the restrictions to summer break. Japan?! I look forward to seeing your posts.
Don’t believe the hype of rhythm and routine and settling in. That’s boring. Live by the calendar but make it whatever you want it to be. I find the freedom of doing things and not waiting for weekends refreshing. I also love taking a cup of tea (and a good book) out to the deck and listening to nature perfect for those free moments I haven’t scheduled. The other day while driving home, I stopped (unplanned) at an alpaca farm, and took a tour. Having more time gives you more opportunities. Congrats on your retirement.
An alpaca farm! What a treat! Thanks for that advice.
Margaret, it all sounds like a dream. I love the way you give an honest review of retirement in your blog post. As I look at writing groups and how to structure them, this is a great opener: what do you do with pockets of time? I’m sure that the answers will become clear. I always hear people say, “I don’t know how I ever had time to work.” I’m glad you are spending time with grandchildren! That is the most important work of all.
Congrats on retirement and it sounds like you are enjoying it. I find that learning something new helped me to focus. The question is what have you always wanted to learn about but did not? Then give it a try!
I suppose it must be a bit like the adjustment to summer after the school year ends–only on steroids maybe? There is so much good advice in this comment thread. I especially like Diane’s advice to take advantage of your ability to be spontaneous, and Joanne’s advice to learn something new. I am certain that your days will be rich and rewarding and I can’t wait to hear all about them!
I appreciate your honest review of what I call “sudden” retirement. I’m retired from my “main” job in the public school world, but working part time on the university level as well as lots and lots of tutoring and mentoring. I also, now, teach aquacise! I do like a schedule and keeping busy, but I long to travel more than I am doing. Congratulations and good luck in this new chapter.
I wish I could take your aquacise class!
Congratulations on your retirement! I loved reading about your first steps into retirement with a trip to Scotland…I’m still waiting to go! And I loved your phrase, “pockets of time” …to be used anyway you see fit. 🙂