Are you up for the challenge? (weather, dumped, state, husband)

[Lodestar]

Suzsilk, you've got good motivating skills. I was almost tempted.

But in my retirement I've developed an attitude of letting go of expectations. I don't like to disappoint myself or others and I have a desire for spontaneity so it's very seldom anymore that I will make a commitment.

Some people are very good at deliberately sitting down and thinking, "What would I like to do that I haven't done before?" They can come up with many or at least several answers. I do have a bucket list but it's been created over time and more through observation than thinking.

But I do like to have the experience of passing by something that looks interesting and on the spur of the moment trying it.

Presently I am on my winter Mexican vacation and the other day passed a restaurant which was advertising sopa limon,
lime soup. In all the times I've been here I've never tried it. In the spirit of the game I'll commit to trying a bowl and reporting back.

Edited to add: Look at that! I replied to tell why I wouldn't commit and in a few short sentences I changed my mind. See, Suzsilk - you are a good motivator.

[BellaDL]

Suzsilk,

Ha ha! Your post sounds like it comes from a teacher ;-)

What? A challenge with results to be reported at the end? It sounds like work to me! On top of it, there is no award or reward. I'll pass.

All kidding aside, I agree on principle that to make our life interesting, we can try something new, to extend our experience or even capabilities.

I agree with what Escort Ricer wrote in another thread

Originally Posted by Escort Rider

It's not a contest.

It's always good to hear people's stories of what retired life is for them. We all have different personalities, different interests, different energy levels, etc. Although I believe that branching out into new experiences is good for us in general, perhaps it is also good to remind oursleves that it's not a contest. If someone finds joy and fulfillment in a feverish round of traveling and other activities, then that is just great, but it's not a contest, so others might just be stressed and unhappy trying to emulate the super-active ones.

By nature and habit, I like to seek new experience, learn or do something new. At times, I enjoy challenges such as right now, I'm still trying to figure out the intermittent failure of our plane alternator. The mechanics told me just to replace it with a new one. However there are other potential sources of problems: a flaky circuit breaker? (bought a new one and checking it out), a flaky ground connection? (checked for tightness but may need to clean the contact area), sticky brush inside alternator (will have it inspected) etc.

Other times, I just want to relax, do the same familiar 'old' daily things and routines: cooking, cleaning, laundry, taking a walk, exercises, surfing the web, reading a book or watch a movie etc.

IMO, if one is perfectly happy following the same routine, doing the same 'old' things in retirement then it is good for them. The key thing is being happy and contented. If one is restless, bored and feeling unfulfilled then one should challenge oneself to make changes. It is very much an individual thing.

[animalcrazy]

We're taking a 4 year old and her mother to the circus, which I'm opposed to because of the way the animals are treated. We're trying to learn Tamil for a future trip to India with our Indian friends. We've already gone ice skating, swimming, and to a great play in Lincoln park in Chicago with friends this week. We will be going roller skating Friday morning before the circus adventure. I think the teenagers will be spending the night with us on Saturday. Lets see what next week brings.

[Avalon08]

Hate to be a buzzkill, but your challenge sounds like you're assuming we're all in a rut...doing the same ole' same ole'. I don't have any motivating desire to "try something new" this week, especially since there's no reward involved. :-) I do, however, have a bucket list, and on it was a tattoo, which I got a few months ago. "All the kids" down here have them (so they look normal these days), and I like the artistry and symbolism. And I'm at the age where I can do anything I darn well please, and if someone doesn't like it, sc#ew them.

[Suzsilk]

Originally Posted by Suzsilk

You have seven days.
What are you going to do with them?
I challenge everyone who is retired to try something new this week.
In seven days--next Wednesday--we will report back to tell each other what is was we did.
JUST DO IT....


ideas: go for a walk, ride your bike, go to the library, a museum, try pickleball, go fishing, wash the car, clean out that closet, read that book you have always wanted to, start those seedlings for the garden, sign up for a course, go to D.C. and look at the Cherry Blossoms

Well, it's Saturday already: about half-way through the week. This is not a contest, believe me. Just a fun opportunity to spread your wings a little. A chance to share something new you tried with a community here that will be interested to hear your story. Turn off the TV, get out and look at something different. Cook a new recipe. Buy some bird seed and see what new kinds of birds you can attract. Go to the library to see if they have someone giving a lecture. Try going to that little church down the road you've passed a million times. Meet/talk to your neighbor... Wednesday is just around the corner.

[Lodestar]

Do I dare write that I am done with my assignment? I'm not in competition with anyone, honest. The truth is I really wanted to try that lime soup.

So today I had a late lunch of a bowl of lime soup. Those of you who are familiar with tortilla soup may like it. It was similar - chicken breast in seasoned broth with crispy tortilla strips and a couple of key lime slices on top. At least they looked like key limes. No avocado slices. It was fragrant and slightly sweet/sour. I'll bet it would be a good cold remedy.

The generous-sized bowl cost me seventy pesos or about $3.50 American.

Now a word about competition. I know that some of us thrive on it. That's the way they're made and that's fine with me. But what has worked well for me in my later life (after I learned some hard lessons about how poorly being competition-driven works for my personality type) is that the best kind of competition for me is to compete against the self I was yesterday.

That way I know who to blame if I suspect someone is cheating.

I didn't learn that all by myself and I'm sure that someone taught it to me but I can't for the life of e remember who.

[Minervah]

Nah, not for me. I have a full week next week. Writer's group, play reading group, a luncheon, a dinner and attending a concert performance. In between getting my kitty's claws cut and having my ears checked.

That's enough for me thank you very much.

[jrkliny]

I don't think what we decide to do should be some sort of contest. But I guess I will participate. I will certainly look back to see what others have done. I am sure I will find plenty of good ideas and things I would like to do.

[Escort Rider]

My normal routine incorporates much that is new, much that is not closely scripted. Therefore I am not particularly motivated to seek out something novel in any given week. There just wouldn't be much point, as opportunities for novelty present themselves to me frequently and I am open to them. If none come along this week, that's fine. (It won't be long before some do). However, I think the idea behind this thread can be an excellent one for people who are already aware they need a little nudge in that direction.

[Minervah]

I feel I had enough challenges when I worked. I don't find having to challenge myself just to keep busy is very rewarding or fun. That makes it too much of a competition even if it's only a competition with myself. If I want to do something new I will just do it when the spirit moves, that's an advantage of being retired.