We spend a lot of time being 'busy' throughout our working lives, racing from one commitment to the next, often feeling out of control with the pace of meetings, appointments and obligations. 

Then, with what can seem like a sudden jolt, the first day of retirement dawns and those commitments stop. Suddenly, your time is your own. You can do what you like, when you like.

Initially this can seem wonderful, like a holiday every day with plenty of time on your hands. There’s no need to get up early, battle through traffic or get to that tedious meeting. But as the novelty wears off, you may start feeling guilty about having so much spare time. 

For many retirees the instinct is to fill the time with activity – enrol for classes, volunteer, play golf, book holidays and generally work out ways to fill up the days. But keeping yourself busy might not be the only answer to a fulfilling retirement.

Embracing 'unbusyness'

'Unbusyness' or being 'unbusy' is fast becoming an aspiration for some younger people who find juggling careers and families overwhelming.  
While retirees are at a different stage of life, being comfortable with being ‘unbusy’ can be a challenge. Having a full schedule with lots of commitments can make you feel wanted, important and needed. When that’s no longer the case, your self-esteem can take a knock and you may feel life lacks purpose. 
But the reality of retirement is that you will have more free time. The key to enjoying this stage of your life is to enjoy that time.

Choose what suits you

Just because you hear other people say they’re ‘so busy’ doesn’t mean you have to grab every opportunity to fill your time. Set your own pace. If you're curious about a new activity, or volunteering at the local op shop but are unsure, take it on as a trial. Testing something out before committing can give you a chance to see if it suits you and how it might fit in with other priorities. This formula can be used for family commitments too. One of your retirement dreams may be to spend more time with your grandchildren. But before you commit to babysitting three days a week, and your children plan their working life around this promise, try it out. You may find that much time with a toddler is too much – or you may love the experience. A trial will give you the option of scaling up or down without breaking promises.

Enjoy the luxury of time

Relish the luxury of not needing to be busy now that you've retired. Take one day at a time and don’t feel compelled to clutter up your days. Enjoy sitting in your garden reading a magazine or a book, chatting to a friend, playing with your cat or just daydreaming without feeling guilty. Think about your retirement dreams, but you don’t need to rush to fulfil them. 

Remember that you worked hard to have all that free time and you deserve your retirement and the choices it brings, even the choice to do nothing at times.