SoCS — What’s On Your Plate?

Fandango

For this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt, Linda G. Hill has given us “on your/my plate.”

Back in the day, when I was still working, I had a lot on my plate. Between managing my team of product consultants and software developers, working with installation managers, sales people, senior executives, prospects, clients, and vendors, as well as caring for and providing for my wife and kids, my plate was constantly full. Sometimes overflowing.

And I loved it. I thrived on the pressure of meeting deadlines, fulfilling client expectations, demoing our software solutions to new clients, running meetings and webinars, closing new business, and finding a balance between work and family. It all gave meaning to my life. It defined who I was.

And then I retired. For five decades I had defined myself by my work, by what I did for a living. I woke up one day and that was all gone. Not only did I not have all of those job responsibilities anymore, but my kids were grown up and out on their own.

I felt a sense of panic. Who was I if my identity was my work and I was no longer working? I remember telling my wife that my plate was now empty and I didn’t know what to do with myself.

But the good news is that my plate is still full. I’ve got grandkids who give me tremendous joy. I’ve got my blog, which enables me to interact with fellow bloggers from around the world. And I’ve got a wife who is happy to keep adding things to my “honey do” list.

So, in spite of my early fears that upon retirement my plate — my life — would be empty, the reality is that what’s on my plate today, in retirement, is just fine. I can now define myself by who I am, not what I do.

Now how about you? What’s on your plate?

16 thoughts on “SoCS — What’s On Your Plate?”

  1. Nope, Not Pam November 26, 2022 / 3:06 am

    I’m on holiday middle of next week, so hopefully nothing for 14 days 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • donmatthewspoetry November 26, 2022 / 11:13 am

      And you keep busy adding your little comments Sadje. And your face. I look forward to seeing your bright smile……….

      Liked by 2 people

      • Sadje November 26, 2022 / 4:43 pm

        Thanks Don. How are you doing?

        Liked by 1 person

        • donmatthewspoetry November 26, 2022 / 5:57 pm

          Did you pick up I’m on lockdown with Covid. ? Day 7 so hopefully my test today will be clear. Have you had it? Not nice. So lethargic. Night sweats. Catches breath. Others have been a lot worse tho. ….I’ll survive….cough cough

          Liked by 2 people

          • Sadje November 26, 2022 / 6:28 pm

            I had it in April. Was coughing for 7 days. The test was positive on the 5th day. I hope you have a negative test today. Feel well soon.

            Liked by 1 person

          • Marleen November 26, 2022 / 10:02 pm

            I had it in August (and into September), August being the month wherein the balance switched as to percentages vaccinated and not and better outcomes — I beat the odds (close to, but not exactly, fifty-fifty in the U.S. then).

            Liked by 1 person

  3. donmatthewspoetry November 26, 2022 / 11:22 am

    What’s on my plate ? We all know Fan. The dreaded lockdown. Now on 7th day. Actually I’m quite liking it. Quiet. Can spend a lot more time blogging. Maid drops food at the door. No-one saying get up lazy. Don’t ask about vacuuming though. Lotsa reading, tidying up loose ends.

    But I will get bored soon. Need interaction with my family. friends, gardening clients and table tennis. I am quite happy with my life at present. Plate is full Fan……

    Liked by 1 person

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