You can’t beat that Friday feeling

By Ivan Morgan

Let me tell you, retirement is an adjustment.
For starters, I hate the word. I don’t use the “r” word. I tell people I don’t have to work for others anymore.
I’ve been the “r” word now for three years. I never planned to retire. I never planned for retirement. Truth be told I didn’t think I would live this long (my dad was gone at 61, his dad at 58). But here we are.
After 12 years in my last job, working in politics, I’d had a snootful. My colleague and I were done, done, and done (she put in a mind blowing 16 years!). What I liked about the job was also what I hated about it: there was always way too much to do. We worked hard. Countless long weekends – including a few Victoria Day weekends. It was demanding work. We worked through Snowmagedden. I worked from my hospital bed when I had a mild stroke. We both worked through the pandemic. Straight through. Every day and some weekends. Working from home wasn’t the excuse many used for time off. We put in long, long hours.
Then I was done. Talked it over with my wife and decided I was retiring (there’s that damn word again). To be honest, it was a shock.
Like so many of us, I was born and raised to work. One of my parent’s favourite expressions was “The world doesn’t owe you a living.” Like so many of us if I didn’t work, I didn’t eat or sleep indoors. Like so many of us I worked all my life. Like so many of us I paid the bills, raised the family, while slaving for a series of employers.
Then, one afternoon, I was sitting on my couch pretending I was happy. Congrats they all cheered. Truth be told I was sick to my stomach. Work is what I was raised to do. Work is what I did for well over half a century. Work was who I was.
Then nothing. Now who was I?
Retirement was an adjustment, but a few years in I can report it’s not going so badly. I am me. The trick is to stay busy, but busy doing what you want to do. I have this gig (thanks to all of you !). I volunteer with my wife’s charity. I read a LOT – usually three or four books at a time. I am writing two books: after a lifetime of writing for others I am now writing for myself.
It’s been interesting. A lot has changed. Last weekend reminded me, however, of one thing I can’t change. Something that surprised me.
I have learned that I cannot do without the rhythm of the working world.
I may not be part of it anymore, but I crave its tempo, its pulse. I seek out Friday afternoons. I love the happy buzz of folks ending a long week. Technically it’s just another afternoon to me, except it isn’t. I love the feeling, I soak it up.
I love the lightness in the air. This is especially true for Fridays of long weekends. People are stoked. Cheery, lighthearted. Radio stations know this and play it up. Happy Friday! I make it my business to be out and about late Friday afternoons, just soaking in the vibe. Truth be told I’ve always loved it – but I was part of it. Now I am an observer. Now I go looking for it.
Like us all, after most work weeks I was often ground up and spat out. I’d take the time off to recuperate, soak my brain in various substances, have fun with the kids, and gear up for the next onslaught. Week, after month, after year, after decade. Like us all.
Now I just sit quietly and watch the world go about its endless, busy business.
Hell, I even like Monday mornings – especially now I don’t have any.
Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com