C is for chores and choice

This retirement thing is work. As a self-employed person, stopping seeing clients isn’t the end. Cleaning out my desk and turning in my key, like one sees in movies isn’t how it goes. Yes, I’ve cleaned out my desk and removed some stuff from my office. I’ve spoken with my landlord and we’ve a plan for turning over my workspace of the last 20 years. I’m grateful that this includes leaving most of the furnishings in place, as he anticipates that a similar tenant or two will take over, and there are some folks in the building who are interested. So this facet is relatively easy and uncomplicated. I cleaned out most of my personal stuff on Saturday, and will come back towards the end of the month and remove some personal artwork that I wish to keep. I’ve had a fellow therapist subletting the space 2 days a week for the last several months, she’s working through April, and it felt too bare to leave her with empty walls.

The more involved part of retiring is closing the business and professional side of things. I have records I need to keep for a while, and others of long inactive clients that can now be shredded. I have to contact my malpractice carrier to determine coverage needs. When my license comes up for renewal, I’ll change its status to retired/inactive. I’ve already changed the message on my phone, and I’ve put notifications of closure on my business website. One of these days I’ll have to do something more with the site. But not just yet. Then there’s banking. Once all financial transactions are cleared and obligations met to the best of my knowledge, I’ll be able to close that account.

I’m fairly certain there are a few more chores/jobs to attend to as I complete my working life, and I’ll deal with them as they arise.

I’m a list maker. I’ve found that writing stuff down clears space in my brain. If I’ve written it down, I don’t have to keep reminding myself of what “not to forget” As the Red Queen states in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, “you will (forget) though, if you don’t make a memorandum of it”. I am prone to waking up in the night thinking about stuff that ought to be on the list, and if it is, it’s a lot easier for me to get back to sleep.

So what’s on my lists? Note the plural. The lists are still in development, as I’ve realized that there are a number of categories that pertain to my life now. I’ve outlined much of the list for the “closing my practice” category, and I’ve realized that there are a number of other categories to attend to. Some for fun and some because they need/ought to be done. My tentative categories include: House, Garden, Van, Work (end of), Travel, Personal affairs, Other business. As I’m writing this, I’m noticing that there are a lot of chores to be done. I don’t want to forget to have fun.

Hi and Lois is a comic strip I remember from childhood. There was “Job Jar” that had tasks to be done. I’ve long liked the idea, as it provides a jumping off point when there is something to be done. And one can always draw another slip if the first draw doesn’t suit. It allows for possibilities. I’m imagining taking a job jar approach to my multifaceted project lists. I also like the “break bottle” shown in the strip below. A reminder to take a break, do fun things as well as jobs.

I’ve been driven by duty/obligation for a long time, and I really do want to keep fun and pleasure on my list. Preferably close to, if not at the top.