A Look Inside

If you could look inside my brain, I fear for what you might see.  I have gone from an extremely organized person to one who just seems to do whatever comes across her mind.  I still struggle to find a methodical path through my days.  While I am aware that a few pieces are in place, I am not where I thought I would be as I approach the six month mark of this new life.  As I anticipated retirement, I saw it as an opportunity to renew my hobbies - reading, gardening, writing, and sewing.  I thought I would be subbing because I really did not think I was ready to leave the classroom.  SURPRISE!   It seems that I was more than ready.  Subbing is the last thing on my mind.

Reading
I feel like the reading is in place.  I set aside about an hour a day to read fiction balanced with the newspaper and whatever comes my way on the internet. 

Gardening
I did do a little gardening until this season of fall/winter set in.  Now, it would be the last thing to cross my mind.  But spring will come and reawaken that desire for dirt again. 

Writing
This is one that I have had the most difficulty with (as I can plainly see from the list of postings on this blog).  The struggle has been over whether I want to write about my teaching career and if I do what will I do with it.  Last week, I finally came to the decision to write and then figure out as I go along.  I got as far as researching some apps to use in the process.  The app is still open on my computer but I haven't made the move to purchase it.  Completing one step of the process appears to be such a challenge. 

Sewing
A few weeks ago, I remembered about sewing and finally had an idea of what to do.  A week ago, I bought the fabric and it took me another week before I thought about it again.  I finally washed it today and laid it out.  And there it lays. 

I have no idea if any of this is "normal."  No one I know has been in a position to plan out a retirement the way I am attempting to do.  But I do know that it doesn't feel very normal for me.  As I observe my thought process, I feel very much like someone who is ADD.  There is no follow through on any thoughts that cross my mind.  It is more like, "Hey, you know what.  I think I will do blank tomorrow."  And that is exactly what happens.  My brain is bombarded by questions and thoughts throughout the day and I address each one of them as it occurs to me. 

I have put some things in place:
Daily reading of the paper
Daily crossword puzzle
Daily walk
Weekly volunteering at Nativity and a second day to volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul on the horizon
So I am hopeful that somehow in the next six months some questions about retirement will be answered. 

Will this brain ever return to some form of structure?
How much sewing do I really want to do?  Is it really still a hobby of mine?
Where will this writing take me?
How long can I really be content with all this puttering?  Forever?
Do I actually have to have a plan?

Thankful

I am constantly giving thanks on my daily walks. Here is today’s list.

My continued good health
My family everywhere
My home
Sunshine
Songbirds
New friends
My inquisitive mind - when a creek or river freezes, what happens to the fish? Do they die or do they know it’s coming and find deeper water?
Advent and the feeling of hope it brings