Widowhood - 4 Years On

 Becoming a widow isn't one of those things you choose. It a 'like it or lump it' situation. I'm pleased I've come a long way and have a very nice life. 

I decided I need to get to like it rather than be miserable forever so meticulous planning went into me becoming a capable widow. The word 'widow' in itself sounds depressing and negative so I knew I had y work cut out. I thankfully found some aspects of autonomy are agreeable. I realised there would be no more compromises to be made when it comes to re- decorating the house, going on holiday or choosing a car... and if park my car at a weird angle - there is nobody to comment. I no longer need to turn the house upside down looking for things like car keys and spectacles - that I didn't move. If I decide to work extra long hours to save up for a shopping trip, a nice holiday or a gift, I don't feel like I'm letting anyone down by not being around to cook meals etc.

I can be disorganised so like structure to stay on track. I'm not cheap to run so I returned to full time work. I have a weekly plan of recreational activities and take a travel or other break every fourth week. So far I've been to over 21 different countries, seen many theatre shows and been to several concerts.

I sing in a choir once a week; go swimming once a week; had a PT three times a week; do a dance class twice a week; have a weekly massage; and I walk /run 7-10k every day.

My gym was rather posh but still cost effective because I went 7 days a week. This prevented me from going on therapeutic shopping sprees. 👍 I've recently moved to a less posh gym closer to home for convenience.

I sleep after work then I work out to exhaustion for an hour minimum each day. I follow that up with 60 minute sauna/steam room/ jacuzzi session. I then like to sleep/ read ideally on one of those hot marble slabs or a recliner for an hour; I like taking nice healthy cold showers then I often eat at a pub, restaurant or hotel because it works out cheaper each month than the cost of supermarket food shopping and energy costs when there's just one person. 

I'd already retired from teaching, I don't need pressure these days and don't like sleeping alone so I took up new less pressured work driving doctors overnight to sick people. I sometimes drive around 100 miles a night or more. My passenger sometimes falls asleep so I still get to hear the dulcet tones of full on fat neck snoring from time to time. I find it amusing when my passenger awakes with a jolt and is completely discombobulated so I need to explain where we are. 

While the world is awake and working, I'm sleeping; languishing in a jacuzzi or exhausting myself at the gym.

While when the world sleeps I'm driving round country roads dodging deer, foxes or bunny rabbits.

Not quite what I planned to be doing age 65 but never mind I'm very happy. I have the best family, friends and colleagues ever.