As I watch my friends who are still 'at the chalk face' staggering towards the end of another academic year, I find it hard to believe that I'm actually almost two years into my life 'post teaching'. There are elements of the job that I do miss.. especially the fun that I used to have when I was lucky enough to have time with super-motivated musicians... BUT I wouldn't go back for anything.
Nowadays I'm what can best be described as 'steadily busy'. My days are always full of music, family, friends ..and keeping on top of house-related jobs. I love the fact that I'm master of my own ship. I rarely have that horrible, stress-inducing feeling of sinking under the weight of commitments. I enjoy the fact that I can always re-schedule my day if some-one needs my time, or help in anyway.
I'm starting to enjoy myself as a musician too. In the last three years of my teaching career I didn't touch my harp at all and I lost a lot of technique as a consequence. Since I stopped work I've put HOURS of practice into my harp and I'm finally starting to sound confident and competent again. On Sunday afternoon, Ness and I played a set in a concert in the local church. For the first time I wasn't paralysed by nerves... Look, I'm even smiling in this photo!!!
I've got very little money but, as I'm time rich, I make things for people. Last week I made this patchwork bag for my sister's birthday. I love having the 'head space' to be creative.
It's funny... I read somewhere that it takes a month to recover from every year of stress that you've lived through. I'd agree with this. I worked for 26 years on adrenaline and it's taken the best part of 24 months to get it out of my system. I felt better last summer - I feel immensely better this summer. The only thing that suffered from this has been my waist-line... but that's the content of another post!!!!
Jx
I've often said that I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, the 14 years I've been retired have been among the happiest of my life.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more Jan. I don't know where the last 9.5 months have gone but I've enjoyed every minute of it. I need less money than I did when I was working because I have far more time to make/do things. I really want to start sewing and learn to crochet. Is wonderful that you are getting so much joy from your music.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that post teaching life is becoming less stressful and you're enjoying your music and other creative interests. The patchwork bag you've made for your sister is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI so agree! I enjoyed my job, but I've never looked back after retiring. I've picked up my cross stitch and am enjoying being in a folk music group with my son and a dear friend of ours. It's wonderful to have the time to do what we enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you're happy with your decision to give up teaching. Well, I know you're still teaching privately, but that's not the same as having all the stresses from school based teaching. I put a lot of weight on when I gave up work, I gave up smoking at the same time so that didn't help either. Love the bag you made for your sister.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying semi-retirement Jan. Good to hear. My own experience wasn't so good, as was made redundant after 13 years back at the bank & I just wasn't ready for that. I'm a proper OAP now & am Living with that OK, but still feel pangs of guilt over not working till I was at least 60, although by then the pension age had been raised to 65 & I just couldn't find any full/part time work in that period due to a downturn here in Oz.. That's life I suppose.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy what you are doing now, as I'm sure others are now benefiting from it. Take care.
My husband is certainly happier since he gave up teaching. You sound wonderfully relaxed and happy to have time for your music. The bag is lovely:)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are enjoying your retirement and new life. Wonderful that you are playing again too. I didn't know the heat affected harp strings, but then, I have never seen one close up. What is your husband doing with the fuel tanks?
ReplyDeletePleased to see you are now enjoying your new life, takes a while to settle in to it doesn't it! I sometimes wonder where I found the time to go to work, days fill up quite quickly.
ReplyDelete