A BREAK from work
I am taking a break from work after almost 30 years in the same job. The older I get, the less I am able to tolerate work stress and pressure. Right now, life is wonderful. But we are in the midst of a pandemic and countries all over the world have closed its borders. I am self-isolating at the farmhouse during COV19. In fact, I joke to others that I have been self-isolating for years because we are so remote.
As I write, countries all over the world are in lockdown, in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus. Stories are coming in revealing the different ways people are spending their days and nights. There are good stories and sad stories. To me, nothing has changed. I am here at home wondering what to do next. Fortunately, I have many choices.
I browse the news sites, going from one to another, seeking to determine the extent of the coronavirus and I am getting worried. People are dying, morgues are being constructed on ice skating rinks, health staff are trying their very best and there is a lack of personal protective equipment. My daughter works in the health industry and they’re turning rehab space into coronavirus wards. I am scared for her and all the other people who have committed to a life of helping others.
retirement plans
Taking a break from work also means that I am planning for retirement. I have wanted to retire for some time. I am at a stage where I don’t want to be doing what I have always done. Imagine, for 30 years going into the same office every day, taking the same route, and seeing the same houses. Mind you, my work differed from day to day because I have had various roles, so it hasn’t been boring as such. I have dreamed of the freedom to choose what I want to do each day.
Today, I am not at work and I don’t know what to do with myself. It seems strange not getting dressed and ready by 8.30 am. I am in my home clothes. My office is 4 minutes from where I live. Through the window, the school bus goes past, as it has done every school day since I have lived here. Although I have another 40 years ahead of me to work out what I want to be doing, I start to panic. Feeling ‘out of sorts’ on this first day, I start to worry about all those other days yet to come. An article in The Conversation emphasises the importance of structure to one’s day. Although the author refers to self-isolation specifically, the same is true for maintaining positive mental health.
Space, garden and freedom of choice
My selfish disorientation suddenly means nothing compared to what the world is facing. In fact, I have so much to do, but where do you start when everything is a sheer possibility? For now, I am happy to wander around the big, empty farmhouse, enjoying the opportunity to choose exactly what I want to do. After all, it is just the beginning of a new life.
I take coffee onto the verandah which overlooks an expansive lawn that has somehow, managed to survive the long, dry summer. There is a quick reminder of my feeble attempt to create a rock garden. The rocks on the farm were the cheapest, most readily available material. I make a mental note to resurrect it sometime. For years now, I have had to rebuild it if the sheep got out, or if there were earth tremors or quakes.
