57 - Like the Steak Sauce

I just celebrated another birthday, and this one as you probably guessed from the title was number 57. Time has flown by as it is already 2 years since I announced my retirement. So much has happened in that 2 years, with Covid at the top of the list for disrupting life and plans for all of us.

As I look back on the year it was a bit of a struggle at times. The momentum of retirement waned as time went on, exacerbated by not being able to get together with friends as much due to Covid restrictions. The initial release of being able to do what I wanted, pretty much when I wanted to, started to get overshadowed by having to do most of those things by myself. Sure it’s great to jump on my bike and ride, or head to different disc golf courses for a round on a nice day, but after a while doing those things alone drained some of the fun. And with so many places off limits or closed due to Covid restrictions, or out of business thanks to the lockdowns, long drives with an over-50 bladder were not always practical.

Same for my plan to drive Route 66. I got the maps and guidebook right before I retired and was very excited at the adventure ahead. Then Covid reared its ugly head and that was off the table. I look at those materials every day when I do my workouts and just sigh knowing that trip is not going to happen anytime soon. On the bright side, at least I have something really fun to look forward to once the country opens back up – not to mention material for a lot of blog posts.

It’s very frustrating to not be able to do many of the things I planned. Keeping busy is important to keep boredom from setting in and joining the Productively Funny team provided a boost of energy with a lot to learn. As companies are still focused on how the heck to deal with Covid, training opportunities there are on hold. It’s been fun learning the techniques and exercises with the team, and we’ve been able to make some good connections, but it’s frustrating to not be able to conduct sessions. That is something I am looking forward to as it will push me out of my comfort zone while allowing me to pursue teaching and coaching, a great combination for growth and continued learning.

As we move to shorter days and colder temperatures, some of the outdoor activities I enjoy will be replaced by indoor ones. I’ll dive back onto reading the books I have lined up after taking time away from them in favor of being outside doing something active. My stationary bike will get fired up again, which will help me catch up on some Netflix shows while getting some much-needed exercise. And with 130+ microbreweries in NJ, it may be time to start a quest to visit those I haven’t been to yet and try different beers.

It’s important to keep both our minds and bodies busy, and it gets more important each year. Mental and physical exercise keeps us sharp and fit and helps us stay positive. For those working at home now and for those of us who are retired, it can be tough to stay motivated, but the benefits far outweigh the effort it takes to push ourselves to keep going. I find myself feeling much better after a bike ride even when I have to force myself to get out and pedal. It lets me give myself a pat on the back for doing it and that little reward helps keep me on my workout schedule.

Whether you are retired, working from home, or not working, make sure you are doing things to workout your mind and body. As we age that becomes vital to being able to do the things we enjoy and the benefits at any age far outweigh the effort sometimes needed to keep ourselves moving.