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The Thing I Enjoy Most About Retirement (Original Post) Tomconroy Aug 2021 OP
I enjoy getting up at 5:30am, House of Roberts Aug 2021 #1
This... I'll have a cup of coffee and then go back to sleep for another hour, hour and a half chia Aug 2021 #20
Your body is jonesing for caffeine. Satisfy the addiction and your body relaxes and Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2021 #36
Can confirm the caffeine part, haha, and it's interesting you mention hypnogogia, I often chia Aug 2021 #41
Wow, that's me! I have my coffee, eat breakfast, watch Morning Joe and when I go upstairs to finish CTyankee Aug 2021 #47
I can't read in bed anymore, I'll fall asleep. :) If possible, can you go out on your porch or patio chia Aug 2021 #52
I have a very nice recliner I get in so I can watch Morning Joe and have coffee. CTyankee Aug 2021 #56
Some people can read on their bikes. At 15 minutes a day, you'll eventually finish the book :) chia Aug 2021 #59
I thought of that but I when I tried I kept slowing down. At least with the tv on I pedal at a good CTyankee Aug 2021 #60
Same here... 2naSalit Aug 2021 #48
My dreams are usually good dreams, but I've also only just experienced lucid dreaming which chia Aug 2021 #54
I've been... 2naSalit Aug 2021 #55
I love that we have a window into a part of ourselves that can't be accessed by us in any other way chia Aug 2021 #58
It is! 2naSalit Aug 2021 #61
Can relate :) chia Aug 2021 #62
Ditto! 2naSalit Aug 2021 #63
This! nt tblue37 Aug 2021 #26
Thanks folks for multigraincracker Aug 2021 #35
(Sigh)... modrepub Aug 2021 #2
When I Retire, I'll Have To Train The Cats To Wait For Breakfast... smb Aug 2021 #3
you nearly owed me a keyboard. niyad Aug 2021 #23
I love getting up at the buttcrack of dawn, knowing I can take a nap whenever I want. brewens Aug 2021 #4
THIS BumRushDaShow Aug 2021 #9
I lived in a moble home several years ago. I could doc03 Aug 2021 #13
I lived in one for awhile. Freakin' squirrels would drop walnuts on the roof! n/t brewens Aug 2021 #14
That would wake you up. nt doc03 Aug 2021 #17
I wish the Robins would sleep in a bit. 3:30 am in June/ July. Gimme a break. And they are loud. Evolve Dammit Aug 2021 #25
I'm up at 4am every day. Sherman A1 Aug 2021 #5
Yep OldBaldy1701E Aug 2021 #6
Me too. Jeannie doesn't get up until six. panader0 Aug 2021 #21
;-{) Goonch Aug 2021 #7
Love the art NJCher Aug 2021 #16
Great piece of art. Who did it? To me it coveys slow motion. MLAA Aug 2021 #31
Ken Moroney (1949 - 2018) Goonch Aug 2021 #46
Yep - same here rurallib Aug 2021 #8
I can binge watch TV episodes until 5:30AM, go to bed, and sleep until afternoon. NCjack Aug 2021 #10
Hah! That's more my style too! smirkymonkey Aug 2021 #71
LOL - and here I am reading you at 3:20 a.m. Totally Tunsie Aug 2021 #72
Hi Tunsie! smirkymonkey Aug 2021 #74
Not seeing the masses of Reps where I used to work is wonderful. twodogsbarking Aug 2021 #11
There's a lot I like about retirement. llmart Aug 2021 #12
you have let go of a lot of stress by retiring. good for you... samnsara Aug 2021 #18
Your life sounds wonderful to me. llmart Aug 2021 #50
72 is not ancient! Skittles Aug 2021 #68
I know it's not ancient and I'm in very good shape and health but... llmart Aug 2021 #73
I haven't tied a tie for 15 years..... 3Hotdogs Aug 2021 #27
I'm not a guy but I have to agree with you on the tie. llmart Aug 2021 #51
The original ties were worn by some army - I believe Swiss. 3Hotdogs Aug 2021 #67
if i could sleep in til 5 30 i would be thrilled. samnsara Aug 2021 #15
I very much enjoyed my nap LittleGirl Aug 2021 #19
When I retired, they said I would watch TV all day and sleep til noon Ron Obvious Aug 2021 #22
But I keep waking up at 5am for no reason. rickyhall Aug 2021 #24
I'm up a 7 to make the club hikes. 3Hotdogs Aug 2021 #28
Nice! MLAA Aug 2021 #32
Like my dad once said about retirement... Javaman Aug 2021 #29
That's what I used to say about Cocaine. Mr.Bill Aug 2021 #66
Yes ..It's like everyday is Saturday INdemo Aug 2021 #30
I hear 'what day is it?' From me or my husband nearly every day! MLAA Aug 2021 #33
The alarm clock says: Get up... The bladder says: NOW! keithbvadu2 Aug 2021 #34
"....I have absolutely no reason to get out of bad!" sarge43 Aug 2021 #37
That was my first reaction as well. FailureToCommunicate Aug 2021 #42
Yup. My bladder is more realiable than the alarm clock. sarge43 Aug 2021 #45
Thanks. I guess I should be glad that at least my bladder doesn't try to talk to me... FailureToCommunicate Aug 2021 #64
Yeah, it's annoying. sarge43 Aug 2021 #65
I love not DownriverDem Aug 2021 #38
Hey, You Morning People! Quiet! I'm trying to sleep. Tomconroy Aug 2021 #39
Now you'll have a reason to get up. sheilahi Aug 2021 #40
PS sheilahi Aug 2021 #44
I worked 30 years as a blue collar worker and multigraincracker Aug 2021 #43
I have to get up for a variety of reasons... 2naSalit Aug 2021 #49
I remember the first work day after retiring when I looked out at the snow, Ocelot II Aug 2021 #53
MY 'favorite thing?' elleng Aug 2021 #57
😄 Tomconroy Aug 2021 #70
Yeah, and when I wake up for the third time in the night at 5:30 AM csziggy Aug 2021 #69

chia

(2,235 posts)
20. This... I'll have a cup of coffee and then go back to sleep for another hour, hour and a half
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:29 AM
Aug 2021

I have my best dreams in that second sleep, I don't know why.

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,789 posts)
36. Your body is jonesing for caffeine. Satisfy the addiction and your body relaxes and
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:18 AM
Aug 2021

... you fall back to sleep.

Also, dreams happen in the alpha sleep before and after deep sleep. There is also a hypnogogic drowsy state between wake state and true sleep; this is a dreamy state too and can be a source of ideas and inspirations for solving problems if you prepare a little.



chia

(2,235 posts)
41. Can confirm the caffeine part, haha, and it's interesting you mention hypnogogia, I often
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:30 AM
Aug 2021

experience it, usually in the form of audible, spoken words or phrases. Very sui generis, there's no conscious world equivalent, and I just love them. I've been writing them down for years.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
47. Wow, that's me! I have my coffee, eat breakfast, watch Morning Joe and when I go upstairs to finish
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 11:31 AM
Aug 2021

the NYT on my made bed I fall asleep again. Hubby can hear me snoring lightly when he is in our "office" and working online. At first I thought it was my advanced age but your explanation fit. However, I do not think I dream. How can I "prepare" for this? Please let me know because I am trying to finish my second book and sometimes just can't "wrap it up," despite my having plans to the contrary.

chia

(2,235 posts)
52. I can't read in bed anymore, I'll fall asleep. :) If possible, can you go out on your porch or patio
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 12:28 PM
Aug 2021

and sit upright while reading the paper? My mom and dad used to read the paper together and trade sections and talk about it over (more) coffee, maybe that's the trick to avoid getting sleepy?

When I want to continue a book, I have to set aside time for reading during the day when I'm less likely to be sleepy, like just before or while eating lunch. I used to read so much when I was younger.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
56. I have a very nice recliner I get in so I can watch Morning Joe and have coffee.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 12:49 PM
Aug 2021

What I have started doing is getting on my exercise bike for 15 minutes at a brisk level of speed. It gets the legs warmed up. I use it watching TV in the evening also (and at lunch time if I am home). I get up to 45 minutes in total on it, if it's a good day and I don't have much to do outside.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
60. I thought of that but I when I tried I kept slowing down. At least with the tv on I pedal at a good
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 01:22 PM
Aug 2021

speed.

2naSalit

(86,061 posts)
48. Same here...
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 11:34 AM
Aug 2021

Especially in winter. But I know why I have good dreams then, as explained in the post above.

chia

(2,235 posts)
54. My dreams are usually good dreams, but I've also only just experienced lucid dreaming which
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 12:33 PM
Aug 2021

was amazing, I was flying and I was able to control my flight and where I wanted to look to see the landscape below me. First and only time that's happened, but I've also gone to sleep thinking I wanted to dream about rooms and I've dreamed about rooms. Big architectural rooms, lofty, full of light and air and when I woke up I sketched them out before I forgot. If I were to live my life over again I would've gone on with my psychology degree and gone into dream research because I think it's one of the last frontiers.

2naSalit

(86,061 posts)
55. I've been...
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 12:49 PM
Aug 2021

Doing that, lucid dreaming, all my life. It's amazing, I have written out several of my experiences though I can recall most of them with ease as though they just happened.

chia

(2,235 posts)
58. I love that we have a window into a part of ourselves that can't be accessed by us in any other way
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 01:17 PM
Aug 2021

except by dreaming. It's literally a whole different existential plane.

2naSalit

(86,061 posts)
61. It is!
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 01:25 PM
Aug 2021

I like it better there than here but I have to be here for some reason. At least I can go there when I have the time.

multigraincracker

(32,531 posts)
35. Thanks folks for
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:16 AM
Aug 2021

making me feel a little more normal. I've been doing that for years. I thought it was just me.

brewens

(13,400 posts)
4. I love getting up at the buttcrack of dawn, knowing I can take a nap whenever I want.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 06:58 AM
Aug 2021

I like being up at what I call first chirp. That one bird that sets all the rest off.

BumRushDaShow

(127,312 posts)
9. THIS
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 07:46 AM
Aug 2021

Except that I'm up before the first chirp, which in the spring comes from some song sparrow that hangs around my house and is making a racket in the dark BEFORE the robins even venture out of their nests.

And that "anytime I want" nap is a bonus.

doc03

(35,148 posts)
13. I lived in a moble home several years ago. I could
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:07 AM
Aug 2021

hear the birds hopping around the roof over the bedroom at first light.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
5. I'm up at 4am every day.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 07:05 AM
Aug 2021

Do my exercise bike, drink my coffee ☕️, surf the net and enjoy the quiet time which I value greatly.

OldBaldy1701E

(4,968 posts)
6. Yep
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 07:19 AM
Aug 2021

I live with two other people, and their schedules are later than mine. This is the only time I can sit, relax, and not worry about what they are destroying in the name of lazy indifference. heh.

panader0

(25,816 posts)
21. Me too. Jeannie doesn't get up until six.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:30 AM
Aug 2021

I have time to shower and tidy up, make the coffee and chill for a while.
But I go to sleep by 9 or 10 pm.

MLAA

(17,165 posts)
31. Great piece of art. Who did it? To me it coveys slow motion.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:04 AM
Aug 2021

And I love Magritte’s work. Are you an artist or art historian?

Goonch

(3,551 posts)
46. Ken Moroney (1949 - 2018)
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 11:26 AM
Aug 2021

Lot 196A: Moroney, Ken (b.1949) Original Painting Old Man Drinking Coffee pastel, uns

Description
Moroney, Ken (b.1949) Original Painting Old Man Drinking Coffee pastel, unsigned, framed measures 28.5cm x 31.5cm overall. Note: Ken Moroney is a gifted, versatile and self-taught artist, now a major force in British impressionism, his paintings exhibited at the Royal Academy London, the Beax-Arts Paris and the Klines galleries Canada. The vendor originally obtained the example directly from Ken Moroney, as a personal friend of the family.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
71. Hah! That's more my style too!
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 11:18 PM
Aug 2021

In fact, it's pretty much what I do on weekends. Maybe not up quite until 5:30am all the time (although I have done it), but more like 3:30 - 4:00am and sleep until 11:30 or Noon.

I wish I could be one of those people who could go to bed at a reasonable time and wake up around 6 or 7am naturally, but I just wasn't built that way.

twodogsbarking

(9,308 posts)
11. Not seeing the masses of Reps where I used to work is wonderful.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:04 AM
Aug 2021

I think only three were not Reps out of seventy total. Myself and two others.
They cheered for days after TFG was "elected". I retired before
President Joseph Biden was elected. I don't think they were cheering.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
12. There's a lot I like about retirement.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:05 AM
Aug 2021

After years of having to get up early and get moving right away and ready to go out the door, now I can still get up early but there is absolutely no reason to rush around. I can see the sun rise, listen to the first birds of the morning, walk at the park when there's hardly a soul there and I can pretend it's all mine to enjoy. There's so much nature to see early in the morning when the scads of loud people aren't scaring them all away.

Another one of my plusses to not working is that I worked in a corporate job and as a woman had to have a certain kind of professional clothing. I abhor shopping, and back in the day I had to always wear heels. Now I don't own one dress or skirt or pair of heels! I used to travel for one of my corporate jobs and can remember running through airports to catch a plane in high heels. Ugh.

I volunteer now and there is absolutely no pressure when you work at a volunteer job. Well, except for the fact that you can still run across other volunteers who you can't stand being around.

samnsara

(17,570 posts)
18. you have let go of a lot of stress by retiring. good for you...
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:11 AM
Aug 2021

....i havent owned a dress since my dtrs first wedding some 25 years ago. Its still in my closet! Lately Ive been dressing like Steve Bannon with lots of shirts and zip up hoodies...all worn at once. Its just me n the dogs and the turkeys and an occasional UPS truck.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
50. Your life sounds wonderful to me.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 12:22 PM
Aug 2021

If I had my druthers I'd live in a small house out in a more rural area with a couple of dogs. I've had dogs most of my life but at 72 and living in a climate that has winters I no longer think it fair to get a puppy and start over at my age. It's probably not fair to a dog.

Skittles

(152,965 posts)
68. 72 is not ancient!
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:35 PM
Aug 2021

I have always wanted a dog and I think when I retire I will adopt senior dogs from the pound

llmart

(15,501 posts)
73. I know it's not ancient and I'm in very good shape and health but...
Tue Aug 24, 2021, 07:19 AM
Aug 2021

I had my last dog put down two years ago and most of my dogs have lived to be 16. I like bigger dogs and dogs need walking, not just once a day either. I live in a neighborhood of mostly seniors and I've seen people who get dogs in their 70's and then when winter hits the poor dogs never get walked. One woman got a lab puppy and she would walk out her front door with it on a leash, expect it to do its business and then take it back in. She eventually gave the dog away after one year. I was p.o.'ed at her and people like her. She isn't the only one in my neighborhood who has done that. That's why they end up at the pound.

Senior dogs can be very expensive with the vet bills. I spent thousands on my last dog in her last few years of life. When you retire you usually live on a fixed income. There are so many considerations to getting a dog when you're getting older.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
51. I'm not a guy but I have to agree with you on the tie.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 12:26 PM
Aug 2021

What's the point of them anyway?

My wardrobe is mostly long sleeved t-shirts in the fall/winter and short sleeved t-shirts in the spring/summer. Shorts or capris - spring/summer; jeans or tights or sweatpants - fall/winter. Easy peesy.

3Hotdogs

(12,210 posts)
67. The original ties were worn by some army - I believe Swiss.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 04:20 PM
Aug 2021

This was to identify the members of the army from their enemies.

French males thought the tie was a great idea and we all know the French are arbiters of taste.

samnsara

(17,570 posts)
15. if i could sleep in til 5 30 i would be thrilled.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:08 AM
Aug 2021

...and even if i could, i may just lie there a bit longer!

 

Ron Obvious

(6,261 posts)
22. When I retired, they said I would watch TV all day and sleep til noon
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:33 AM
Aug 2021

In reality, I'm up before 5 every day and couldn't go back to sleep if I wanted to and I almost never have time to watch TV at all.

Mr.Bill

(24,104 posts)
66. That's what I used to say about Cocaine.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 03:31 PM
Aug 2021

No matter when you use it, it makes you feel like it's noon on Saturday. For awhile.

keithbvadu2

(36,369 posts)
34. The alarm clock says: Get up... The bladder says: NOW!
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:10 AM
Aug 2021

The alarm clock says: Get up...

The bladder says: NOW!

sarge43

(28,939 posts)
45. Yup. My bladder is more realiable than the alarm clock.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:57 AM
Aug 2021

"It's 0500hrs. Rush and flush, Sweetie."

Hang in there; good times are acoming.

FailureToCommunicate

(13,989 posts)
64. Thanks. I guess I should be glad that at least my bladder doesn't try to talk to me...
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 02:11 PM
Aug 2021

at that hour of the morning!

DownriverDem

(6,206 posts)
38. I love not
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:26 AM
Aug 2021

having to rush and get out of the house. However right after I retired the pandemic started and I have been pretty much staying home. Just as I started to venture out, the Delta Variant started. So I am just going to be careful. (I'm vaccinated)

sheilahi

(277 posts)
40. Now you'll have a reason to get up.
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:28 AM
Aug 2021

Well, you can be expecting a delivery from FedEx within 5 to 7 working days. It will be my 18 year old kitty Jenny who is absolutely positive she will keel over in starvation if she's not fed by four. She sits on my pillow and stares at my eyes waiting for them to open. If they're not open by 3:45 she puts her cold lips on my eyelids and if that fails, she slaps my face. Take good care of her. She's a good girl.

multigraincracker

(32,531 posts)
43. I worked 30 years as a blue collar worker and
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:34 AM
Aug 2021

worked late afternoons. Get home at 3:00 or 4:00 every morning. I thought that was my normal hours and liked it. Then I retired and found myself getting up early every morning. I had been wrong all of that time.
I have Adult Attention Deficit Disorder and it suits retirement. I have several side-gigs that I love. I get to change focus every day. All fit my passions and sometimes I break even or make a little cash.

2naSalit

(86,061 posts)
49. I have to get up for a variety of reasons...
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 11:44 AM
Aug 2021

My body doesn't let me remain horizontal for more than a few hours at a time so I have been up once already by 5am which is also when I have to pee. When I get up within that hour, I'll just go into autopilot and make coffee, do some stretches and watch the sunrise, check DU and then go back to bed until I have to get up again. I try to keep all appointments at a late morning, early afternoon window so I can nap when I get home.

I just moved again so my daily routine is drastically different than I had the last few years, and I will move again when the lease is up here because I don't like it here. So my only common thread these days is my sleep schedule and coffee routine!

I do love the thought of looking at my calendar and thinking, hmmm, what do I want to do today? And naps whenever they are needed.

Ocelot II

(115,280 posts)
53. I remember the first work day after retiring when I looked out at the snow,
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 12:31 PM
Aug 2021

and remembered I didn't have to get up and dressed and drive through that mess, and so I went back to bed. That's such an excellent feeling - not having to get up if I don't want to.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
69. Yeah, and when I wake up for the third time in the night at 5:30 AM
Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:45 PM
Aug 2021

And can't go back to sleep, I can bumble through the day knowing that absolutely no one is depending on me to make sense! It's so freeing to not have to be responsible for my actions.

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