I was thinking of changing the tag for my blog from there is an art to the everyday to got the life I wanted… now what the hell do I do?
Red rose – front yard treasure
Since moving to the country and taking a long holiday from having a day job my everyday is unlike that of my city life when I created the blog. Another kind of art needed to manage it.
Yesterday – 4 loads of washing. Bottled 7 jars of choko pickles. Made yoghurt. Made pumpkin soup for dinner-freezer-MiL. Made lasagne for dinner & freezer. Made frittata for lunch & leftovers. Baked sourdough bread. Made pots of tea. Cleaned up kitchen. Made beds after swapping mattresses. Vacuumed floors. Watered vege garden pots. Took photo of rose in the front garden. Fed Soossie-the-share-cat [who has now been desexed] at least 6 times. Gave myself much needed mani & pedicure.
Soossie Cat, treasure who loves her food
I’ve taken today off… after ticking off a few jobs. Council final inspection of the shed. Create bespoke moisturisers by adding essential oils, and decant. Transfer birthday funds to the G.O.’s granddaughter. Clean coffee machine. Wash up. Collaborate with the G.O. to hang pictures. Rearrange shelves and cupboards. Make pots of tea…
Mid morning I found a quiet sunny-shady spot on the verandah to attempt to catch up on blogging life. And made a start – compiling 10 of the better photos from our Victoria trip. Watch this space.
Tomorrow – Thursday, is town day. A repeat of last Thursday… car services, errands and grocery shopping. Hearing test for G.O. Visit MiL. Maybe a birthday lunch with my aunt & uncle.
Took my car to mechanic for service and the G.O.’s broke 2 fanbelts
Friday – I’m hoping for another day off, and maybe another blog post and blog visiting.
Saturday – Macksville Show. All the fun of the fair and checking out the pavillion displays, woodchop, The Rooftop Express arena evening entertainment and demolition derby. Visit MiL.
We arrived home from our travels a fortnight ago, hit the ground running to clean, garden, shop and generally catch up. Even during our self-governed Easter break there were little jobs.
Vege garden in pots
Life outside 9-5 and accustomed infrastructure, I now realise after 4 months, is equal parts rewarding and wearying. Not worse, just different, and requires more adaptation than I imagined during the city-office bound incubation stages of the plan.
Pumpkin soup and sourdough bread… time is the hidden ingredient
Travel, I now realise after our month away, is equal parts stimulating and wearying. I will get around to writing travel (we took about a thousand photos between us) & other blog posts, visiting and commenting on blog posts, also to reading books (only 2 short books so far this year) and articles… and all the online people & things that are an important part of my life that I miss and think about.
In the midst of being busier than I ever expected via the throes of changing from one life to another I encountered a form of mental inertia that leaves me often unable to convert thoughts to keyboard strokes. Sigh. I was somewhat stressed about this for a while. After all, it is what I planned to do but I attempt to release the self-imposed pressure and console myself that for a while I’m simply being and doing.
I “retired” 19 years ago and I’m still waiting to have nothing to do. Hah what a joke that’s for when you’re dead, but at least you and I have the freedom to choose. We’ve done the travel around Australia thing, just recently sold the 4WD and off road van. It’s equal part fun and hardwork but rarely restful, nevertheless I’m pleased to have explored the inaccessible corners of this amazing country. Sorting through the 1000s of photos is an ongoing chore.
Thank you. I love this perspective, and understand better than ever those not in the paid workforce are not necessarily idle. We spend our time wisely, are self sufficient and stimulate the economy via our activities 🙂
As a stay-at-home semi retired person, I know exactly where you’re coming from…
“What do you find to do all day?” is probably going to be chiselled on my gravestone. We’re looking forward to you both calling in and staying a while on your round-the-continent trip. And now, I must get back to some of that ‘whatever it is I do all day long…’ Good to talk to you earlier!
I’m pleased you were able to carve out time from what you do to chat and comment 🙂 What I find to do all day is currently only a small percentage of what I’d like to do but don’t get around to… but I’m working on grabbing opportunities within my new everyday 🙂
Was wondering what you where up to, and it is as I thought…just living. Wonderful. Change always requires realignments and yours seem to be slowly falling into place, but whatever you do, don’t stress about what you not getting to, unless you miss it terribly, in which case switch out – because now you can!! Sounds like you have your main priority sorted – numerous pots of tea! Hope it all continues to fall into place. Must say, at first when reading, I thought you guys must have opened a restaurant! Sounds like you are getting to do some fun kitchen bits and bobs.
Yes -just living- but after 4 years blogging it’s not as good as living it-blogging it-being inspired by others blogging it 🙂
Tea is a constant & carry-over for us both from city-everyday to country everyday. Somedays it feels like I’m in catering, but except for the pub which does pizza, lunches & dinner Friday & Sat which our budget doesn’t run to much, there’s no takeaway or shops for 30 kms, so good home-cooked food is something I can and like to do for us 🙂
That’s exactly what I wonder, as well as when did I find time to blog and read? I’ve really been looking forward to seeing TLitV and going to the old theatre is a bonus 🙂
So glad to see you pop up in my reader, again, Ella. Settling into the country is not for sissies. Nor is the lifestyle, although people often perceive it as idyllic. Sometime is it. I guess you’re learning, like we did, that country life is not always restful: there’s so much to do. It’s different. And as for the inertia, I completely get that. I am still working and that’s the only serious reading I do now. I’ve got books piled up that I want to read and the only “other” reading I do, other than the odd recipe book and magazine that arrives, is when I’m travelling and then it’s seriously easy reading stuff. You’re already settling into a rhythm…. That’s good. Enjoy it and let it take you wherever….
Thank you, My email notifications show me blog post titles and first few lines… I know I’m missing out on good stuff. There’s so many things I want to do that I never had time & space for in the city, and even now not enough hours… but you’re right, we’re getting into the swing of it 🙂
Glad to see you both made it home safe and sound. Now you just have to allow your new life to settle into a pace that allows /you/ to do the things you love the most. -hugs-
But Meeks, I want it all… blog posts and books and cooking and garden and travel and the beach… Like a kid with too many Christmas gifts to play with 😉
Even though I have been retired for 15 years I am busier than ever. I have choices and that is wonderful. Life changes like nature and it takes time to adapt . Be kind to yourself. I find that my interests are changing, I no longer enjoy what I did several years ago.
Your experience is what I’m hearing constantly from people who have stepped away from working life. I look back and can’t believe we fitted in what we did. I think it’s normal to evolve, I too don’t enjoy some things, like eating out and shopping, like I once did.
Like all the other retired and semi retired folk above, I am generally busy and often overwhelmed with the things that need doing. Mr T reminds me that we are our own taskmasters and that is true. he always takes a nap when we are at home- not because he is ancient but because this is his little routine thing he does to turn one day into two. If I stand up too much in the kitchen, doing bottling, bread making and cooking, my legs and bacj ache like crazy so I intersperse my internet time to have small 20 minute breaks. I also make sure I wear top quality runners in the kitchen.
When you finally reach the end of your list, you will be dead. So enjoy the long creative times ahead of you, take measures to not overload your days, and vary the activities.
I don’t think the list ever ends. There’s so much inspiration from people, books, online… always new things to do & try. If I get a lull, there’s always the verandah futon and a book. Truly thank you for your perspective. Of late I feel more overwhelmed than I ever expected to. On holidays I always napped but they’ve gotten misplaced in the new reality we’re still tweaking.
I think when you first stop working for ‘the dark satanic mills’, there is a year or two where you drive yourself. Retirement isn’t stopping working, it’s just doing it differently, for a different purpose or boss.
A verandah futon? how delicious. Sending you a futonic lazy day.
I’m not sure when I actually retired but for many years I’ve treasured having a good deal of choice for how to spend my days. At the moment we are still on the road, Adelaide recovering from OS which was not a holiday but looking after Mum. The weeks and months just melt into each other and I realise this is the best place in the world to live. Enjoy. You will never get it all done and who would want to? xxx
We enjoyed our month of travel and experiencing new places but despite its challenges there’s no place like home. Like you, we’re fortunate to come back to a place we love. Expectations are the troublesome thing… I was focussed so much on the end goal I overlooked what we have dubbed “investment” stages, where we’re at currently building that new lifestyle, which takes time.
Be a little gentle on yourself. All changes needs transition time, learn to value the fact that what you do now is just as valuable as the paid job, just different. I know as I’m trying to wind down a little, I’m nervous I’ll feel a little judged as being a “do nothing much” kind of person even though I know that I shouldn’t care about that. Yet another thing to work on 🙂
Thank you. I think we expected to have it all sorted, and our feet up in no time. And we had banked up all manner of things on our to do list, both practical & pleasurable, waiting for time & place. It’s interesting when people ask us if we are retired. If feeling cheeky I answer – unemployed. But the real answer is on holiday. After which we will need to do something but it won’t be full-time work… the value of less is more and self sufficiency has been lost, as those things we do like cooking, gardening, repairing, creating and sharing those skills & info which was once admired are no longer considered by some as important as paid work. But semi-self sufficiency is what we’re working towards – paid work for us was/is the means to an end not what life is all about.
We may have driven past 😯Not being terribly au fait with Victoria geography I’m not quite sure where you are. Rest assured, however, we will make more trips to Vic, and would love to catch up with you.
Hi Ella, Cooking from scratch is hard work. Some days when I am exhausted and doing the dishes for the umpteenth time I think about our poor mothers who had to feed 6 or more people from scratch everyday. I do love it though, and wouldn’t ever dream of going back to working in an office.
The G.O. and I had that exact conversation on Wednesday evening over restorative glasses of wine… getting food on the table wasn’t optional and they had to make it go a long way. I’m cooking for only 2 (plus sometimes visitors or MiL & co), often just amusing myself and/or stocking the freezer for convenience. I really enjoy cooking from scratch but like going back to working in an office I also have no desire to cook for a paid living. It would ruin it for me, I think.
Def sounds like you are trying to do too much. Slow down. Eat simply. Make time to read, with a book not onscreen, I find that really relaxing. Sink into the ambience of the house and garden, don’t firget your original objectives in chucking the rat race. Don’t act like a tourist on holiday because that isn’t ‘real life’.
Everyone’s circumstances are different but our transition without the wisdom of this blogging community would have be less… so enriching and so grounding 🙂
My biggest fear when I left work was that I’d sit with nothing to do. A friend reassured me, saying that was a rookie mistake, that I’d be more busy than ever. He was so right, EllaDee. There was an initial adjustment period, to be sure, but I wouldn’t go back to a “job” no matter the compensation. I’ve evolved. 😀
daleleelife101.blog 
I “retired” 19 years ago and I’m still waiting to have nothing to do. Hah what a joke that’s for when you’re dead, but at least you and I have the freedom to choose. We’ve done the travel around Australia thing, just recently sold the 4WD and off road van. It’s equal part fun and hardwork but rarely restful, nevertheless I’m pleased to have explored the inaccessible corners of this amazing country. Sorting through the 1000s of photos is an ongoing chore.
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Thank you. I love this perspective, and understand better than ever those not in the paid workforce are not necessarily idle. We spend our time wisely, are self sufficient and stimulate the economy via our activities 🙂
LikeLike
As a stay-at-home semi retired person, I know exactly where you’re coming from…
“What do you find to do all day?” is probably going to be chiselled on my gravestone. We’re looking forward to you both calling in and staying a while on your round-the-continent trip. And now, I must get back to some of that ‘whatever it is I do all day long…’ Good to talk to you earlier!
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I’m pleased you were able to carve out time from what you do to chat and comment 🙂 What I find to do all day is currently only a small percentage of what I’d like to do but don’t get around to… but I’m working on grabbing opportunities within my new everyday 🙂
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Was wondering what you where up to, and it is as I thought…just living. Wonderful. Change always requires realignments and yours seem to be slowly falling into place, but whatever you do, don’t stress about what you not getting to, unless you miss it terribly, in which case switch out – because now you can!! Sounds like you have your main priority sorted – numerous pots of tea! Hope it all continues to fall into place. Must say, at first when reading, I thought you guys must have opened a restaurant! Sounds like you are getting to do some fun kitchen bits and bobs.
LikeLike
Yes -just living- but after 4 years blogging it’s not as good as living it-blogging it-being inspired by others blogging it 🙂
Tea is a constant & carry-over for us both from city-everyday to country everyday. Somedays it feels like I’m in catering, but except for the pub which does pizza, lunches & dinner Friday & Sat which our budget doesn’t run to much, there’s no takeaway or shops for 30 kms, so good home-cooked food is something I can and like to do for us 🙂
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Cool. Keep cooking…and blogging, and blogging about your cooking…;)
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A time of real activity. You must wonder how you ever found time to go to work. I hope you and MIL enjoy hj film.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
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That’s exactly what I wonder, as well as when did I find time to blog and read? I’ve really been looking forward to seeing TLitV and going to the old theatre is a bonus 🙂
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So glad to see you pop up in my reader, again, Ella. Settling into the country is not for sissies. Nor is the lifestyle, although people often perceive it as idyllic. Sometime is it. I guess you’re learning, like we did, that country life is not always restful: there’s so much to do. It’s different. And as for the inertia, I completely get that. I am still working and that’s the only serious reading I do now. I’ve got books piled up that I want to read and the only “other” reading I do, other than the odd recipe book and magazine that arrives, is when I’m travelling and then it’s seriously easy reading stuff. You’re already settling into a rhythm…. That’s good. Enjoy it and let it take you wherever….
LikeLike
Thank you, My email notifications show me blog post titles and first few lines… I know I’m missing out on good stuff. There’s so many things I want to do that I never had time & space for in the city, and even now not enough hours… but you’re right, we’re getting into the swing of it 🙂
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Glad to see you both made it home safe and sound. Now you just have to allow your new life to settle into a pace that allows /you/ to do the things you love the most. -hugs-
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But Meeks, I want it all… blog posts and books and cooking and garden and travel and the beach… Like a kid with too many Christmas gifts to play with 😉
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lmao – well….you’ll just have to choose blog posts, books and cooking! Gotta get your priorities right. :p
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Even though I have been retired for 15 years I am busier than ever. I have choices and that is wonderful. Life changes like nature and it takes time to adapt . Be kind to yourself. I find that my interests are changing, I no longer enjoy what I did several years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your experience is what I’m hearing constantly from people who have stepped away from working life. I look back and can’t believe we fitted in what we did. I think it’s normal to evolve, I too don’t enjoy some things, like eating out and shopping, like I once did.
LikeLike
Like all the other retired and semi retired folk above, I am generally busy and often overwhelmed with the things that need doing. Mr T reminds me that we are our own taskmasters and that is true. he always takes a nap when we are at home- not because he is ancient but because this is his little routine thing he does to turn one day into two. If I stand up too much in the kitchen, doing bottling, bread making and cooking, my legs and bacj ache like crazy so I intersperse my internet time to have small 20 minute breaks. I also make sure I wear top quality runners in the kitchen.
When you finally reach the end of your list, you will be dead. So enjoy the long creative times ahead of you, take measures to not overload your days, and vary the activities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think the list ever ends. There’s so much inspiration from people, books, online… always new things to do & try. If I get a lull, there’s always the verandah futon and a book. Truly thank you for your perspective. Of late I feel more overwhelmed than I ever expected to. On holidays I always napped but they’ve gotten misplaced in the new reality we’re still tweaking.
LikeLike
I think when you first stop working for ‘the dark satanic mills’, there is a year or two where you drive yourself. Retirement isn’t stopping working, it’s just doing it differently, for a different purpose or boss.
A verandah futon? how delicious. Sending you a futonic lazy day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure when I actually retired but for many years I’ve treasured having a good deal of choice for how to spend my days. At the moment we are still on the road, Adelaide recovering from OS which was not a holiday but looking after Mum. The weeks and months just melt into each other and I realise this is the best place in the world to live. Enjoy. You will never get it all done and who would want to? xxx
LikeLike
We enjoyed our month of travel and experiencing new places but despite its challenges there’s no place like home. Like you, we’re fortunate to come back to a place we love. Expectations are the troublesome thing… I was focussed so much on the end goal I overlooked what we have dubbed “investment” stages, where we’re at currently building that new lifestyle, which takes time.
LikeLike
Be a little gentle on yourself. All changes needs transition time, learn to value the fact that what you do now is just as valuable as the paid job, just different. I know as I’m trying to wind down a little, I’m nervous I’ll feel a little judged as being a “do nothing much” kind of person even though I know that I shouldn’t care about that. Yet another thing to work on 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you. I think we expected to have it all sorted, and our feet up in no time. And we had banked up all manner of things on our to do list, both practical & pleasurable, waiting for time & place. It’s interesting when people ask us if we are retired. If feeling cheeky I answer – unemployed. But the real answer is on holiday. After which we will need to do something but it won’t be full-time work… the value of less is more and self sufficiency has been lost, as those things we do like cooking, gardening, repairing, creating and sharing those skills & info which was once admired are no longer considered by some as important as paid work. But semi-self sufficiency is what we’re working towards – paid work for us was/is the means to an end not what life is all about.
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Yep, work to live not live to work! I hope you didn’t drive past us in
Gippsland when you were down! Would have loved to meet you 🙂
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We may have driven past 😯Not being terribly au fait with Victoria geography I’m not quite sure where you are. Rest assured, however, we will make more trips to Vic, and would love to catch up with you.
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If you travel on the Princes Highway east of Melb up heading towards NSW border you would pass us. Keep in mind for next time 🙂
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Hi Ella, Cooking from scratch is hard work. Some days when I am exhausted and doing the dishes for the umpteenth time I think about our poor mothers who had to feed 6 or more people from scratch everyday. I do love it though, and wouldn’t ever dream of going back to working in an office.
LikeLike
The G.O. and I had that exact conversation on Wednesday evening over restorative glasses of wine… getting food on the table wasn’t optional and they had to make it go a long way. I’m cooking for only 2 (plus sometimes visitors or MiL & co), often just amusing myself and/or stocking the freezer for convenience. I really enjoy cooking from scratch but like going back to working in an office I also have no desire to cook for a paid living. It would ruin it for me, I think.
LikeLike
Def sounds like you are trying to do too much. Slow down. Eat simply. Make time to read, with a book not onscreen, I find that really relaxing. Sink into the ambience of the house and garden, don’t firget your original objectives in chucking the rat race. Don’t act like a tourist on holiday because that isn’t ‘real life’.
LikeLike
Good advice, noted, and we’re working on it. Today, after a busy weekend, we’re doing Sunday on Monday, because we can 🙂
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Your post and the comments are inspiration, I will be retiring Jan 1, 2017 and am heeding the lessons.
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Everyone’s circumstances are different but our transition without the wisdom of this blogging community would have be less… so enriching and so grounding 🙂
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My biggest fear when I left work was that I’d sit with nothing to do. A friend reassured me, saying that was a rookie mistake, that I’d be more busy than ever. He was so right, EllaDee. There was an initial adjustment period, to be sure, but I wouldn’t go back to a “job” no matter the compensation. I’ve evolved. 😀
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