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Change in routine

(14 Posts)
TerryM Tue 18-Feb-20 05:20:02

Bit of background. I retired four years prior to my husband. He retired last year . A couple of settling months but on a while it is good .
However......my whole routine has changed
Prior to his retirement
Wake up about 8 am dog with me and read a bit .
About 9 am If laundry done the night before put dryer on and hang out other clothes
Potter around doing general house chores.
Work on boxes of stuff from my parents place
Get showered changes etc
Have lunch read a bit
Husband home at about 3.30
Talk to him a bit do joint chores
Have dinner (he has always cooked )
Watched TV ... read a book and eventually sleep about midnight
Now we don't get up till ten or 11 am
I get dressed ....read..watch tv (more tv in the last few months than in years )
Eventually have dinner. Very few chores done during the day
Then I start my Non regular chores. Clearing mum and dad's boxes etc
Just curious if anyone else has had such a dramatic change in routine ?
Come winter (I am in Aust ) it may change again

tanith Tue 18-Feb-20 07:15:16

No, I’m always up 7ish earlier in the Summer. I’ve alaways been an early riser, shower, breakfast some days to the gym, chores, shopping, gardening. I do have more screen time in the Winter. This routine has continued since I retired.
I suppose if you like your routine and both spend time together that’s ok.

Sara65 Tue 18-Feb-20 07:29:35

Haven’t yet retired, but can’t imagine either of us lying in, we get up at 5.45 now, and I think another hour would be lovely, but that would be it.

I may be wrong, because I know the more time you have, the more you put things off, but I think I’d have to keep to a routine.

Can’t bear the thought of daytime television, or slopping about in my dressing gown.

Framilode Tue 18-Feb-20 07:39:27

I'm an early riser, 6.00 a.m., and can't bear hanging around in my dressing gown. I don't really get going until I'm showered and dressed. I work quite hard in the morning around the house and have an earlyish lunch.

I do like an afternoon nap and then after a dog walk, apart from cooking supper, the day is mine to do as I wish.

I do agree that we need some structure and routine to the day. I am in my seventies and don't have the energy or drive I had even a few years ago. If I didn't have a routine nothing would get done.

TerryM Tue 18-Feb-20 10:37:45

We have weekly chores and ad hoc chores.
One hour per day must be done on household chores
Husband basically does the outside with the garden and the courtyard and the cooking
I do the cleaning type things and laundry
For probable forty years I did the early rising . And kinda early to bed
We now go to bed /sleep about midnight
I always thought we would both be up and out for retirement.
Husband is still getting into I think
Walking in the pool is hopefully back next week (school carnivals have been using the pools , didn't fancy walking when there was a few hundred young teens running around )

ginny Tue 18-Feb-20 11:46:35

Our routine has certainly changed in so much as we don’t have one. Yes there are certain activities outside the home that happen regularly but in general we do what we want , when we want. Sometimes it’s a day out because the weather is good. Maybe collecting and looking after DGC . Indoor and garden jobs get done when we feel like it and meals are eaten according to what else is going on and how hungry we are. Living life while we can.

sodapop Tue 18-Feb-20 12:20:02

We have a fairly regular routine as we have animals to care for. One of my dogs wakes me at 8am by patting me on the shoulder, then it's all systems go with walks,feeding etc. I usually have about 45 mins for breakfast, coffee and GN.
I wouldn't change it for the world, except maybe when its pouring with rain and the dogs are at the door raring to go.

Callistemon Tue 18-Feb-20 13:05:37

I'm supposed to be doing ad hoc chores today (paperwork etc) hence I am on GN!!

We have a reasonable routine, but we have joined various clubs (not together) so are out quite a bit too.
We're not joined at the hip but do go out together a couple of times a week.

M0nica Tue 18-Feb-20 17:32:46

No joint routine at all beyond the morning getting up processes. We are usually doing different things during the day and they vary a lot.

This morning I had a class, got home to see DH off to Denmark on business. In his late 70s, he is still doing freelance engineering consultancy. I did some gardening after lunch and Iam now at my desk dealing with a whole lot of minor admin.

Jimjam1 Tue 18-Feb-20 19:34:25

I retired three years ago. Took dog out 8am. Bit of housework shopping met friends for lunch listening to music even a snooze in the afternoon. Really enjoyed being retired. Then bang husband tired. Total disarray. I cannot seem to get anything done. Just need my own space. I feel guilty as he is entitled to be retired and relax in his own home. Prior to retirement we never sat and discussed how and what we would do to fill our days. Big big mistake. ??

Fennel Wed 19-Feb-20 12:36:56

We've been retired since the 90's, so are probably older than most of you. Our routines have changed a few times over the last 20 years as our physical abilities decline.
The biggest problem now is boredom - it has become even more important to have a routine, a reason to get up in the morning.
I keep going on planning shopping and cooking meals from scratch.
Husband needs to have a DIY job ongoing. Luckily we can still afford to do these things, many elderly people can't.
We also follow a religion and try to keep our brains going by learning from others in our community and from the many online courses.
We watch a bit of TV on line too - sport, nature, Monalbano etc.

Fennel Wed 19-Feb-20 12:38:49

ps @ Jimjam - we've each had our own space in the house for some time. He has his office and manshed. I have my kitchen and 'puter room.

threexnanny Wed 19-Feb-20 16:32:10

I retired six years ago but OH went part time and then full time more recently. Now it is both of us we often enjoy a lie in just because we can. We have a routine for part of the week which is due to care of GC but have many different interests and some joint ones.
Before OH retired I gave a lot of thought to how we would get along together 24/7 but on the whole it has worked out well.

threexnanny Wed 19-Feb-20 16:35:16

I should add that we seem to watch less TV now which is not something I expected. Breakfast TV was always on when we were getting ready for work and the evening news when cooking dinner. Don't watch either now.