Time … it’s what everybody craves more of.  It governs every aspect of our lives.  Songs, movies and TV shows have been written about it. Travelling through it is an impossible(?) dream. In short, it’s too short. Springtime, summertime, teatime, bedtime, leisuretime, ME time …

Since announcing my imminent retirement from work, I’ve noticed several common reactions:

1 – instantly happy and congratulatory “good for you; it’s about time!”

2 – surprised “you’re too young to retire!” (no I’m not – thanks Mum and Dad for the good genes)

3 – concerned for my mental health “but what are you going to DO?” (who cares?? that’s the point, isn’t it?)

For the first time since I was a kid, I’m looking forward to the gift of time – to getting up when I feel like it, to sitting in the sun reading a book, to watching TV at breakfast time, to having time to cook, garden, ride my bike, have lunch or go to a movie with friends, or to take off for a day, a week or a month.

Of course orienteering will place some structure around my days – but most of the time, I will be free of the alarm clock, and the train timetable.  I am looking forward to that lovely state of not knowing, or caring, which day of the week it is (as long as I turn up to the correct start location for streeto).

So after a lifetime of catching trains to and from school, uni and work, it’s Time to put away the Myki card, Time to turn off the clock radio, Time to rid my wardrobe of work clothes, and Time to go to bed without stressing about all the uncompleted tasks and unanswered emails.  Time to revert back to the mindset we learned to adopt when we cycled across America – look no further ahead than the edge of the map.  Time to live each day as it comes!

BTW – Time Until – 4 days, 50 minutes.