My first career as a teacher and school principal was fulfilling and rewarding, but there was a downside, albeit, necessary. In my second career, ‘Retirement’, when apparently you have ‘heaps of spare time’, I have attempted to avoid some of my first career downside, such as timetables, routines, meetings, etc. Consequently my ‘spare time’ varies on any one day, as does the activities which take place, often because that is what I feel like doing - and not because I have to! Indeed, I wonder whether I do in fact have any ‘spare time’, as I choose to ‘fill up’ my time, because life is too short to waste! Although, sometimes I do wonder whether I should retire from Retirement!
The regular, ongoing activities which fill up my ‘spare time’ include the nice things such as attending Rotary, Probus, Probus hikes and dinners, regular (daily, when possible) walks through my suburb or along the Rotary Hutt River trail, keeping up to date with news, and the not so nice things such as mowing the substantial lawn we have, garden maintenance of a large section, and my fair share of housework and cooking.
On a regular basis I also attend the Masterton drag racing, and other classic car shows. And when required, I dog-sit and walk our son’s puppy. Each year I also spend about six weeks as a Visiting Lecturer contractor, observing and advising student teachers while they are on placement in schools. I also assist with community events organised by Rotary. A substantial part of my ‘spare time’ is taken up in overseas travel. Apart from the 2.5 years of no travel due to Covid, during the other 4 years of retirement, overseas trips have taken up 49 weeks of my ‘spare time’! And then there is the ‘spare time’ taken to prepare for the trips, and afterwards, to sort, cull, and appreciate the trip photos.
Also, more ‘spare time’, usually about two weeks each year, is taken up on day hikes and overnight tramps, mainly in National Parks. When none of the above is happening, my ‘spare time’ is used for photography, reading, and watching tv. - and on at least one occasion writing about “What I Do in My Spare Time”!