Seventh Commandment of “Retirement”

VII.  Stay Flexible To Change

I don’t know how my life will change in 100 93 Days, but I know how I’d like to approach it from a mental perspective.  I am determined to be flexible and to accept change with optimism and open arms.  The life that my wife and I lead from this point forward is ours for the choosing, and we’re free to change our minds.  I will remain flexible as we work through the process of choosing what our life will be.  We may think we’ll love “A”, only to find that it’s not our thing.  That’s ok, we’ll pursue “B”.  We may even pursue “C”, “D”, “E” and “F”. We’ll Stay Flexible, and We’ll Try New Things (Commandment V.)

An Example:  Both my wife and I want to travel, but we’re also realists.  Her Mom lives in a nearby nursing home with Alzheimer’s,  and we’re the only family within 500 miles. Our parents took care of us for the first few decades of our lives, it’s time to return the favor. Obviously, we’re going to stay close to Mom.

No 6-month extended road trip.  Yet.

That’s ok, we’re flexible.  We’ve already got camping trips lined up for April, May, June, July, and September.  Two weekends at nearby Georgia State parks as “shakedown” weekends, then a June week in Tennesse.  In July, we’re doing a two-week loop up to Michigan to visit family.

In August, we’re taking a cross-country train trip to Seattle to visit our daughter.  We’re hiring a dog sitter for our 4 (!!) canine kids, and we’re making the trip of a lifetime!  Who doesn’t want to take a train cross-country!?  A definite bucket item list!  Now’s our chance, and we’re taking it.

Ok, so we’re not taking the extended 6-month road trip.

But we’re making it work, and it’s going to be fun (see Commandment IX).

We’re Staying Flexible.

SOURCE: https://www.theretirementmanifesto.com/the-ten-commandments-of-retirement/