Column: I'm learning about the F-word, come along

Editor's note: In this new series of columns, Judi Straughan explores the trials, tribulations of triumphs of being newly retired.

The F-word can mean different things at different stages of life. Let’s get one of them out of the way right now — It’s not that F-word.

I’m not living the F-inancial F-word, either, money stress; nor is my F-word about F-ood, with its dieting and deprivation.

My new F-word is the one we all say we want, but many fear. My new F-word is the stuff television commercials are made of. My new F-word is Freedom.

After a lifetime of richly satisfying, all-consuming, creative and demanding work, I am throwing in the work towel voluntarily, shutting the door behind me and, with much intrepidation, heading into the unknown. Freedom. Will you join me?

This week, I’m stepping across the threshold of one of life’s milestones. I have done this milestone thing like you have: formal education, career, marriage, parenthood, grandparenthood.

Now I am poised for one of the last, retirement. This milestone may not be as big for you as it is for me, but I have loved working, still have tons of energy and thrive on challenges. But, I am actually afraid of failing retirement.

You might call me a failure already since I tried retirement once before, in 1998, after 31 years of teaching. I walked out of working life as I knew it, made a few steps down the retirement road and became diverted by a seductive offer.

I have now been at the Sudbury Theatre Centre for 16 years. Did I fail at my attempt to retire? Yes and no. STC has been the gift of another career, but the gig is up.
This time, I swear I’m going to do it. This time, I’m going to stick with it and figure it all out.

What will I do each day? Where will I go? Will the days feel long? Will I have enough social interaction? Enough challenges? Will I feel no real sense of satisfaction or accomplishment at the end of each day? Will the need for the accomplishment drug pass? How long does detox take?

Biggest fear? Boredom. Being sidelined.

As I get my adrenaline pumped for this new adventure, I resolve to leave no stone unturned. I will be looking everywhere in our community to see what I can do.
I invite you to travel the first year with me.

Confession #1. I am a Type-A list maker who fills most days with way too much. I’ll try not to exhaust both of us.

Promise #1. I’ll be brutally honest about the best and worst choices I make over the next year.

Prayer #1. Please let retirement be a good decision. I swear, there is no going back. This is it. I’m heading out to pasture.

My selected date for my last day of work in the Sudbury Theatre Centre office is, fittingly perhaps, Friday the 13. Yes, it’s true. Friday is my Snoopy-dance-of-joy day.

Are you ready to join me on my journey? Push back and relax. I’ll do all the work. You don’t need to renew your passport and I’ll foot the bill. I’m making you an offer you can’t refuse.

First order of business? We’re getting out of Dodge for a few weeks or we might sneak into work to see how things are going. Big mistake.

Now, button up, lock the door behind you, and let’s get going on this F-ing journey, our own Freedom march.

Judi Straughan is the former education co-ordinator at Sudbury Theatre Centre. In this series, she explores the challenge of being newly retired.