Three years ago I retired from full-time employment.  I always knew that it wasn’t going to be easy but doing it in a pandemic made it extra challenging. I missed work, the challenge of new projects, the sense of purpose. But I didn’t miss the isolation of virtual working. 

My first year of retirement began in the darkness of a lockdown. Only in the latter months did I start to enjoy the flexibility of a life unrestricted by a working day. But it felt like a year wasted.

Two years in the world had started opening up again but I became ill. Before I received a diagnosis it felt as if my life was over. My damaged heart wouldn’t able to support all that I wanted to achieve. Fortunately, it wasn’t my heart it was my thyroid that was causing all my symptoms. So began a return to health and fitness. I started a Masters in Coaching at Warwick University, I set up Coaches in Mind with Helen, climbed Carrauntoohil and enjoyed the freedom of retirement.

But I still missed work. I hadn’t got the balance right of work, study and fun.

Now three years in the world of full-time work is a distant memory. I’ve finally embraced what it means to have the flexibility in my life to do whatever I wish to do.

Health, fitness and wellness

I’ve recovered from an overactive thyroid. The medication I was on for over 20 months has now been discontinued. I have a 50% chance of the symptoms returning but so far not a peep.

My heart, described by my cardiologist as ‘not completely normal’ seems to be functioning well. Although my slowness when undertaking aerobic activity is frustrating. And it limits my participation in group/team events.

I achieved a 120kg deadlift. This was particularly significant as my overactive thyroid had caused muscle loss and strength so to come back even stronger has been encouraging. 

I’ve competed in Hyrox twice, once as an individual competitor and again as a double with my daughter.

I’ve been interviewed for two podcasts on my health and fitness ‘journey’.

On the minus side I did experience a period of ‘depression’ earlier in the year. I have written about it but to date it is for my eyes only. I may share it but when I mentioned tentatively it in a previous blog It was largely ignored so maybe not. 

But all things considered I’m fairly happy with my health and level of fitness. I’d like to be faster and leaner but I tick most of Peter Attia’s expectations of a woman two decades younger.

Celebrations

In the last year I’ve celebrated my 64th birthday with some birthday burpees in Central Park, New York. My niece’s 30th birthday, both my sister-in-law’s 60th birthdays, a family wedding, and a couple of retirements.

Business

Coaches in Mind keeps me fairly busy. I have a number of clients but I’d like more as I believe I have a lot to offer as a coach. There are a couple of exciting projects in the pipeline. I’m keeping everything thing crossed that they will happen.

Studying 

I’m now half way through the second year of a Masters in Coaching. I’ve completed four assignments all at distinction level and am currently completing my 5th assignment. Just one more before the start of the final year and a 15,000 word dissertation.

Travel

In the last year I’ve visited Rome, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, New York and returned to Spain and Turkey. I’ve been to Cardiff and Ipswich as a tourist, walked from Minehead to Coombe Martin and circumvented the Longman of Wilmington.

Volunteering

I’m now a volunteer for the Woodland Trust although I’m not sure whether this is the right fit for me. I may look at something more active.

Retirement remains a strange place to be. After 43 years of working it has taken me longer than most to settle into it. A pandemic didn’t help but I think I would have found it challenging whatever the circumstances. And I haven’t completely ruled out returning to work in some capacity. But that is the beauty of retirement. Nothing is off the table.