This is primarily about solving obligatory problems as opposed to non-obligatory problems. I have noticed a definite change in my thought processes since retirement. Nonobligatory problems were usually shelved when I ran into too many problems I couldn’t solve. Since retirement this has changed and the longer, I am retired the more exaggerated it seems to be becoming. Every time I run into a problem; I need to solve it is like I just took a happy pill. I seem to thrive on it. What I suspect is that it may be my way of fending off boredom. When I solve all the problems and it is time to pull out the tools and get to work it is almost as if I am hoping I run into more problems that need to be solved. I used to enjoy the physical aspect and now I feel like I use problems to avoid the physical aspects. I haven’t really examined the phenomenon closely but there does seem to be something to it. Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this.
Must be you.
I’ve been retired a whopping 18 months and when I’m confronted by almost any obligatory problem, usually administrative, my first reaction is to glance at it, sigh, and ignore it. Like I think “Hmm. Email from my real actual bank about a lost password? I don’t wanna mess with that now. I’ll glance at it, set it aside for ‘later’ (read never) and go get a snack or a nap. Screw that noise.”
I have definitely joined the 20-somethings in the attitude of “adulting is hard and I just don’ wanna. Period. Not right now, not later, and in fact not ever.”
I get occasional bouts of my traditional “get shit done right now” attitude. Like maybe once a month for 20 minutes.