I've been retired now almost 6 years. When I left the office I boxed up my things and took it all home. I took family photos, memorabilia related to the industry, awards and plaques and other items. Most went into a box and into the closet. I recently saw the box and thought "What am I keeping this stuff for?". I pulled the box down and went through it for the first time since retirement. A lot of it was things I will still keep, but there were a couple of plaques that I wonder what to do with. Keep? Throw in the trash? Not sure.
Once you retired, what did you do with your old awards, plaques and memorabilia from your working years? I can't imagine that my kids will want any of this. It would mean nothing to them other than being a little history of their father. The further I get away from those working years, the more this stuff was just a stage of life that I know longer have as much interest in. I have one framed box on the wall of my study that was given to me at retirement that notates the years, holds my law enforcement credentials marked "retired" and two badges. I will probably keep this hanging forever as it looks really nice and marks a special time in my life.
Other plaques note my time in one capacity or another during the career, but don't hold a lot of sentimental meaning to me. Do you have one or two items that you kept? Or an item or two that you display in your home? It is funny how when you are neck deep in your career it becomes a big part of your identity. Then, after retirement you shed that identity and take on a whole new identity as "retired". The life of trying to have a better work year than last and trying to beat ever increasing goals is over. Now my goals are simple. Today is to get internet fiber installed and take our two old iPhones to UPS to return. Those are the simple goals of a retired man. What a life!
Have you had a similar experience of separating from work life? Or do you still yearn for those working days? Has you life filled more with retired activities and goals? What are those goals today? Do you have goals such as get fiber internet, become a pickleball champ, win yard of the month, restore a car or any other worthwhile goals that you have?
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