Here it is...avoid being too busy. One of my original goals in retirement was to live a stress-free life. Now I know that is not really possible and a little stress is good to keep the motor running. But when you stop and realize you are not doing a lot of the things you want to be doing then you obviously are doing something you maybe should do less of. I do sleep a lot but I'd prefer not to give that up. It is a glorious thing after all.
Although I love my new "photography" hobby I'm beginning to suspect this is the very thing that is starting to take over my time. I've spread myself very thin in my quest to try it all. On-line classes, in-person workshops, club activities and monthly meetings and board meetings. Yes, I joined the board. And then there's the actual taking photos and editing photos, printing photos, making books and showing (dare I say selling) photos. Something's got to give. I just don't know what yet. But I've held off booking any photo trips for next year for the moment.
I do a three hour volunteer stint every Sunday mowing and weeding in an abandoned cemetery. Recently I took on managing the Facebook page for the organization. Speaking of Facebook, lord I spend too much time on that. And just the phone in general..reading the news, doing puzzles, is a time sucker.
It was a little felting class that gave me the wake up call. I joined a community class to learn felting and made a little orange pumpkin. Next week we make a leaf followed by two more weekly classes. I am so looking forward to that class. I'll never be a great felter just as I will never be a great photographer, but I like the challenge. And it is different and I've learned I like different.
And then there's the bathroom walls I've wanted to repaint for the last five years. What will give the week I take that on? They say one must first name a problem before it can be solved so I've named it...too busy. Now I must solve it. Think I'll sleep on it.
