Retiring wallflower

Three weeks ago I retired from my job in an international organization after 23 years of loyal service. I still cannot imagine how I have gotten this far so fast. I know my passport says I am 64, the requisite retirement age for women here, but in my head I am still only 18 and certainly not ready for a life of coach tours, blue rinses and big knickers. I don't want to join the ranks of hip replacements and coronary bypasses. I am already conscious that the main subject of conversation of friends of my own age is predominantly about their illnesses, operations, and bodily functions or rather non-functions. Please no - get me out of here!!  I am not ready for this just yet.

Retirement needs some preparation and I have been making lists for some time now in the hope that this would help me understand that there is life after work and that one can fill 24 hours 7 days a week. Even if 49 of those are spent sleeping that still leaves 119 to fill. OK 7 of those will be spent on Facebook, another 7 playing mindless computer games so I now have 105 hours a week to occupy myself.

The first week went in a flash. I had no idea one could be so busy. Things just happened! With the late warm weather I put my energy into getting the large garden a bit more shipshape, then the phone would ring or an email come in inviting me to go for a coffee, or a meal, or to the cinema, or a concert. Or someone would drop in for a chat. Week two shaped up pretty much the same as the first. Now I am starting to wonder how I ever found time to work.