Do you feel like you HAVE to do something constructive every day?

As I sit at the kitchen table enjoying my morning coffee, the wife will walk by and ask, 'Anything going on?'
I Always answer, 'Nope'.

It's her way of letting me know I didn't forget anything important.
If I did, the conversation would start out differently...
 

I don't feel an obligation to, but I do try to do something physical and mental, every day if possible. This includes gym, walking, getting some sun and deep breathing, and for mental, I play chess.
 

Some asked "What is Constructive?"

There are a lot of things one might categorize as NOT though is somewhat trivial making distinctions. Like this posting in this web forum and a lot of other web activity like reading News...NOT. Other web activity like I did yesterday researching customizeable PC builds was Constructive. Watching TV...NOT. Opening the fridge, making and eating easy meals...NOT. Listening to the Warriors Timberwolves NBA playoff game last night...nope. Doing laundry...YEP.

As to the OP's question, as a retired Senior, every day I wake up is Saturday and the government pays me good money to do NOTHING! I love it!

In balance, I have plenty of days where I am extremely active both physically and mentally. A bit of Work, a bit of Fun, a bit of Nothing is a nice balance.
 
I've wasted most of my time and opportunities these last 50 years......not all my time & opportunities just way too many.
Hence, now it's important to me to live each day meaningfully and with some focused purpose.
So basically yes, I feel like I have to do something or several somethings constructive every day.......because I want to.
Also, an important subtext is, most of those somethings are tasks that I actually like doing...or like the results of doing them.
 
Yes.

I notice it, feel it, when the day has gone by and I haven't done anything, outside the mandatory dog walks. Exercise doesn't really count either, because that's only for me.

I feel better about the day if I've cleaned something, did some laundry, cooked or baked, helped someone with a problem, maybe.

Something that has benefit for someone else.

I don't always hit that mark and I feel it when I don't.
 
David777 said:
Some asked "What is Constructive?"

There are a lot of things one might categorize as NOT though is somewhat trivial making distinctions. Like this posting in this web forum and a lot of other web activity like reading News...NOT. Other web activity like I did yesterday researching customizeable PC builds was Constructive. Watching TV...NOT. Opening the fridge, making and eating easy meals...NOT. Listening to the Warriors Timberwolves NBA playoff game last night...nope. Doing laundry...YEP.

As to the OP's question, as a retired Senior, every day I wake up is Saturday and the government pays me good money to do NOTHING! I love it!

In balance, I have plenty of days where I am extremely active both physically and mentally. A bit of Work, a bit of Fun, a bit of Nothing is a nice balance.
Click to expand...
You are feeling better!
 
Daily I manage to do something. I always go for a long walk, then when I get home, I potter around the place, tidying up as I go along, I never watch t.v. during the day or even listen to the radio, but I do like to listen to nice music. I like to check up on my Seniors Forum and read up on all the interesting comments. A nice catch-up with a friend on the phone or meet up with someone for a coffee. The day goes so fast and then
I watch my favourite t.v. shows in the evening. In bed by 11.30.
 
Interesting question and answers.

I’ve never considered daily chores optional, nor constructive. They’re just part of my routine, the things I do every morning that I need to put behind me so that I can actually start my day. Or the things I do in the evening before I head to bed. I’m talking about making the bed, doing the dishes, tidying, walking the dogs, doing laundry, etc.

The constructive things are my projects. Currently on my list is reorganizing the laundry room, declutterring the office/exercise room, planting more flowers in the front garden, repotting my herbs, doing a closet purge. These are the things I do on the weekend because I’m still working.

And yes, if I don’t tackle and finish some of these projects on the weekend, I feel unproductive and that I’ve wasted the time.
 
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I dont feel like I absolutely have to do something constructive every day.
But in keeping with my five year plan I have been trying to accomplish one thing each day.
Sometimes its small and only takes me five minutes. Other times it takes all day. :D

Im 75 and I figure sooner or later I might have to give up this big azz yard and house.
So Im doing a five year plan to pare down all my crap aka stuff.
The husband was addicted to online auctions so I have a stuff overload.
We were two boxes short of being hoarders when he passed.
There have been numerous trips to Goodwill and a few auctions and Im still sorting. :D
 
smiley said:
sounds like you could do with some friendly help - gettin any? - got time to chat awhile?
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I know I sound like an ingrate but Ive tried help in the past and its usually more trouble than its worth.
Ive collected antiques and kitsch for over 50 years. I have a lot of kool stuff. If I do say so myself. :D
What usually happens is my helper becomes mesmerized, and the session devolves into them checking out my stuff and wanting a history lesson. :D

Seriously its hard to have someone else help you sort. Im holding x and trying to decide what to do with it and your holding up y asking me what to do with it and what is it and where did I get it. After a while my brain freezes up and I cant decide what to do with either one. :D

Its late maybe we can chat tomorrow? Its 3 am. The cat said its time to go to bed.
 
Veronica said:
I know I sound like an ingrate but Ive tried help in the past and its usually more trouble than its worth.
Ive collected antiques and kitsch for over 50 years. I have a lot of kool stuff. If I do say so myself. :D
What usually happens is my helper becomes mesmerized, and the session devolves into them checking out my stuff and wanting a history lesson. :D

Seriously its hard to have someone else help you sort. Im holding x and trying to decide what to do with it and your holding up y asking me what to do with it and what is it and where did I get it. After a while my brain freezes up and I cant decide what to do with either one. :D

Its late maybe we can chat tomorrow? Its 3 am. The cat said its time to go to bed.
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I had the same when my husband passed. He too was a hoarder, and the garage was a mess. But I got stuck into it and decided I wasn't interested in making money, so I left quite a large pile in my front yard and wrote a poster saying "Freebies" and much to my joy most of the stuff was gone in a matter of a couple of hours.
 
oscash said:
I had the same when my husband passed. He too was a hoarder, and the garage was a mess. But I got stuck into it and decided I wasn't interested in making money, so I left quite a large pile in my front yard and wrote a poster saying "Freebies" and much to my joy most of the stuff was gone in a matter of a couple of hours.
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That is what I did with two sewing machines. Those things are not my friends. Hopefully SO will not bring number 3 home.
 
oscash said:
I had the same when my husband passed. He too was a hoarder, and the garage was a mess. But I got stuck into it and decided I wasn't interested in making money, so I left quite a large pile in my front yard and wrote a poster saying "Freebies" and much to my joy most of the stuff was gone in a matter of a couple of hours.
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I have put some stuff on the curb. Whats taking time is I need to research prices before I decide where stuff exits.
In the past we had an antique shop and we did shows and presently theres Ebay.
I have a very large house and a barn and theyre both full. Ive been culling since 2022 so things are getting better.
Im sorting now for another auction. I could probably get more cash if I sold stuff myself but that takes time.
Even if a sold 12 hours a day I couldnt make a dent in my lifetime. Also Im old and I want my house back. :D

Ive learned to check everything. For example most books sell for 3-5 and go to Goodwill.
Just when you think another cheap book you get a surprise.
Last surprise was a two vol set of Ulysses S Grants Memoirs from 1885. Average sale price 400-500.

Twostep said:
That is what I did with two sewing machines. Those things are not my friends. Hopefully SO will not bring number 3 home.
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Some machines are pricy like feather weights and some are junk. I must have at least ten and thats after some went to auction.
I dont know why the husband bought so many. He couldnt even sew on a button. :D
 
Nathan said:
"Old habits are hard to break", that is so true when leaving the career and working world behind after you retire.
I like to stay active and regularly participate in fitness classes and such. But, there are days when if it doesn't positively-absolutely-has-to-be done-today....then it won't...guilt free. :cool:
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No, nope, aint gonna happen....
It did a little at first, but soon became "the few hours I have left here are for me, not thee (with exception for my better half, of course).
 
Having gone to a four day week and a three day week from June, i wonder if I'm filling up the days anyway with fixed things, like the community choir that's starting nearby. That could be fun but it might not, and it will mean I can't do anything other than that on Friday lunchtimes. Really not sure about that one - maybe I'm spreading myself too thin and should stick to the walking and the painting/ sketching. And photography and writing blog posts.
 

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