Our daily schedule is the topic for this week's Fun Monday. Our host is the very busy working student mom, Gracie over at Mama Rehema's . She wants a description of our typical day. When do we get up? Go to bed? What do we do to get going? Wind down? And all those activities in between? Now before I share my very laid back retired schedule, I thought you might be interested in another person's schedule for comparison. Say Ben Franklin's, a man famous for accomplishing a lot in a day. This daily schedule is from Ben Franklin: An Autobiography and Other Writings.
There's a lot to admire about Ben's schedule. I wish my day followed his pattern, but it doesn't. What better way to start your day than by asking the question: What good shall I do this day? Followed by taking stock at the end of the day--What good have I done today? In between Ben takes the time to connect with "Powerful Goodness", his perception of God. Franklin was not a traditionally religious man, rejecting much of the stern Puritan beliefs of his day. Instead he believed that the greatest service of God was in doing good for man. When I study Ben's schedule, balance and moderation come to mind. He rises, contemplates some higher purpose, gets cleaned up, plans and organizes his day, eats breakfast. Then he works until mid-day when he stops to rest and refresh himself with food for mind and body. After that he resumes work. When the workday is done, he puts things in order and then he spends his evening in pleasurable pursuits--dinner and conversation, music, reading. He ends his day by meditating on what he has accomplished, then he sleeps. A day well spent.
I imagined I would spend my retired days much differently than I do. I thought there would be a schedule that, like Ben's, balanced work and pleasure. I would maintain a very organized, efficient household and still have time to have fun and be creative. Instead, I spend a lot of time caregiving and then compensate by not using my free time that wisely--I escape from my current reality a lot. So Gracie, here's what my daily schedule looks like:
2:00-3:00 a.m. Go to bed
8:00-8:30 a.m. Wake up, leash up Willie for trip to paperbox, feed him, make coffee
9:00-10:00 a.m. Drink coffee, eat breakfast, read newspaper
10:00-11:00 a.m. On computer--e-mails, blogs, more news
11:00-2:30 p.m. Household chores, yardwork, errands & appointments, lunch, read
2:30-3:30 p.m. Walk Willie
3:30-4:30 p.m. On computer again, read
4:30-6:30 p.m. Cook and eat dinner, watch news, clean kitchen, straighten and tidy things
6:30-8:00 p.m. Watch Netflix DVDs on computer
8:00- 11:00 p.m. Watch prime time TV, read, paperwork
11:00-2:00 a.m More Netflix, read, blogging
2:00-3:00 a.m Go to Bed
My good friend S has just retired and she can't get over the freedom you feel after so many years working full time and being accountable for your schedule. I understand. My days don't have much form to them and I like it that way. Although, I keep thinking I could make better use of my time. . .
