Reply to Friends that make you feel bad that you don’t “do” anything now

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[quote=Anonymous]I'm retired, after 35 years as a teacher. I was strictly regimented throughout my work life,  early early mornings,late late days, graduate school for years, never ending work load. Once one enters a school building as a teacher,  one might not see the light of day for the entire week- no windows. Bathroom breaks are rare and strategically orchestrated.  I never sat for sny length of time. Lunch was about 20 minutes at my desk. I had to sign out even to go to my car! No leaving the site,  either, unless there's permission. Subs were impossible to find,  so we worked while sick. 35 years.

You better believe I am enjoying my retirement- the kind with no rules, no structure. I go to bed when I want, go where I want ,eat when I want. I don't need cruises, big vacations,  lavish meals. I'm really happy. My dogs are thrilled too. Lucky dogs during this time of our lives!

Yes, I have friends who go on month long trips, then come home and plan the next one.  They think only of travel. It's not my thing, generally,  but we do travel some. I happily point out that the natives of the country they are visiting are just going about their day- working, having coffee, shopping, etc. , and most will never leave their village, town, or whatever to come here and sightsee, yet my friends think they are fascinating to look at and it makes them wordly to see other people "not doing much." Isn't that ironic? There's a lot of privilege in these friends' statements.
Many struggle with a lack of structure. I am celebrating that over here, not wishing for it. I meet my friends for dinner or lunch and I don't want to be in an over 55  where cliques form out of necessity withva group of same aged people,  and things are always planned. 
I volunteer, read, paint, hike, exercise, cook, etc. There is a party in my head all day.  
 Somehow if others don't see that, they think I'm not doing anything, which couldn't be further from the truth. I throw a picture every now and again on FB to appease those  who  probably also need to see a newsletter!  This is insecurity on their part- not yours or mine. 
Live your life,  OP. You get to choose. [/quote]

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