Yesterday I pretended I was an explorer. I called up a friend and asked if she wanted to discover Vancouver with me. We did something we’ve never done before: we started at Broadway and walked all the way up Main Street to 30th Avenue, and then back down the other side.
Naturally, we stopped to look at all the hip new restaurants (snapping photos of menus for later reference), quaffed lattes at tiny coffee bars, sampled savoury scones at cozy cafes, and browsed unique little stores like The Regional Assembly of Text; Devil May Wear; and Much and Little.
Scarfing, shopping and shlepping our way down Main Street, we stumbled across places we never knew existed, then realized what a narrow view we have of our surroundings.
The point is, now that I’m retired, I have time to broaden my horizons. With the weather turning warmer, I may have a SeaBus voyage in my future. Or maybe a SkyTrain ride to New Westminster Quay. Or a drive to Deep Cove. Or a hike up the Grouse Grind. (Yeah, right. A 60-year-old with bad knees hiking the Lions. I think not.) What I’m getting at is that there’s a big huge world out there just begging to be explored.
It’s kind of ironic that I’ve travelled the world, yet I’ve never kayaked around False Creek, cheered on the Zucchini 500 races at the Salt Spring Island Fall Fair, or attended the Apple Festival at UBC. Talk about a sheltered life! I’m committed to more adventure in my life, even if it’s only tame, day-long outings. Maybe I’ll venture outside my comfort zone and take a mini-road trip with a friend – kind of like Thelma and Louis, but on a smaller scale. And less violent. It’d be nice if Brad Pitt was in on it, too. Maybe I’ll go to the Harrison Hot Springs Sand Castle Competition. Or visit the quaint town of Nelson and see new sights, meet new people.
Nearly six months into retirement and it’s STILL a huge novelty. It’s like I’m waiting for someone to pinch me and tell me I’m dreaming. I feel like an entirely new person – happier, calmer, healthier, and in better shape than I’ve been in years. It makes me realize how much more there is to life than just work. And doesn’t that speak volumes about my previous work/life balance. Or conspicuous lack thereof.
If I had to give advice, I’d say this: don’t wait till retirement to enjoy life to the fullest. Get out there and show up for life, because regret is a colossal waste of energy. You heard it here first. Now go outside and play!
