Love

Written by Grace Pow
 
Some of my friends were very surprised when I decided to retire two years ago. They wondered why I had to give up my career before reaching the ‘official’ retirement age. Wouldn’t my life be more secure financially if I could make money for two more years?
 
After working for over 30 years, I was drained of all energy. Though there were holidays every year, I usually made use of the time to join refresher courses or continue to work. So I did not feel recharged at all. Instead, my temper was getting worse. There was also no time for me to work on my own self-development. My early retirement could provide me with the time to learn more about the world and empower myself.
 
At the beginning, I needed to adapt to the new lifestyle, e.g. my name had been removed in all the work chat groups and email account. My friends and ex-colleagues had no time to chat with me because they had to work. Gradually, I was at a loss.
 
Then I suddenly remembered the reason for my retirement. The first step to accomplish the goal was to improve my physical health. Up till now, I insist on getting up at 7.00 every morning. My breakfast includes yoghurt and an apple. I also focus on a healthier diet for lunch and dinner.
 
Exercise was never my hobby in the past. I even loved taking taxi instead of walking. Since I stopped working, I started walking or taking a bus. It was a nightmare at the beginning. I could only walk about 800 steps. At the same time, I started watching some simple stretching exercise on Youtube and pratcised almost every day. Now I can walk between 8000 and 10,000 steps in one go.
 
I was also mulling over how I could make use of my interest to do some meaningful deeds. It was a blessing that two of my friends supported me to write English stories for young children teaching them moral values. Since then, the three of us have completed two stories in PDF format. I have also been writing for two NGOs as a volunteer writer. Apart from practising my skills, I have also enriched my knowledge.
 
In the last two years, I had more time to stay with my mother and accompanied her to the hospital for body check-up which helped me to understand more about how she had suffered from dementia for over 10 years. Though she has left us, I am really grateful that I had stayed by her side during her last stage of life.
 
It was indeed out of my expectation to be a slasher. Not only have I enhanced my experience, I have also met more new working partners.  When the pandemic is less severe, I dine out with friends more frequently. Some of our friendships has lasted for more than 45 years. At the same time, I have also visited different local attractions, museums and exhibitions.
 
Life is indeed full of surprises. I will start my full-time job again this September. Betty Friedan once said, ‘Ageing is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.’ This is surely true!