It’s that time of year when kids get school reports and adults receive their appraisals. So why should retirement be any different?

Here’s a look at what I thought I wanted, what I believed I could deliver, and what I imagined I’d enjoy doing this year… versus REALITY.

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Like my old school reports, the review of my first year in (semi) retirement reads much the same — full of promise, occasionally distracted, and prone to being side-tracked by new ideas.

At the start, I had a pretty clear vision of this new chapter: I’d become a well-rested, endlessly productive version of myself — fitter, more focused, delivering projects for companies, joining clubs, and maybe even acquiring a few new skills. Fast forward twelve months, and let’s just say…………..the results are mixed.

The art of self-reflection is world-class, the fitness plan is still in committee, and the only thing I’ve truly mastered is the art of a leisurely coffee.

This report is my attempt at an honest audit — a look back at Year One in the field, complete with minor victories, major detours, and the ongoing experiment of figuring out what “retirement” actually means.

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🗂Initial Decisions

1. Part-Time Employment💼

GOAL: Obtain project-based work to provide:

• Structure
• Mental challenge
• Income

OUTCOME: Partially Achieved – Could Do Better

What I had in mind: Becoming an associate trainer and delivering ad hoc projects or solutions for companies.

What I found:

1. Associate Trainer: The company I spoke to wanted me to deliver their training verbatim. I could have done that, but it didn’t exactly make the best use of my talents — and, happily, I now have the choice to say no. So, that one went no further.
2. Setting Up a Consultancy: To deliver projects you need a trading identity, a way to get to customers, and a polished CV. All of this took far longer than I anticipated. Most opportunities came through contacts, and I quickly discovered that CVs — and the marketing strategies behind them — have evolved considerably since I last needed one!

What I’m doing:
I’ve found myself working part-time as a National Accounts Manager for a dog-treats company. Not exactly an obvious fit with my previous career, but I enjoy the flexibility, I’m making a real difference, and sometimes I even manage to combine business with pleasure — travelling for work with my wife, then staying on a little longer to explore interesting corners that we’ve not yet found in our own country.

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2. Operate Under the ‘Gofor Promise’ ✋

GOAL: Not be the ‘gofor’ for friends and family i.e. get to spend my spare time as I wish rather than being the go-to person for any odd job.

OUTCOME: Achieved – My family & friends have been really supportive (and I can’t thank them enough)

There’s always a temptation to give errands to people who aren’t working. Before retirement, my family agreed that while they might occasionally ask for help, I wouldn’t be the default port of call for every odd job. This has been REALLY important and has helped me maintain a healthy life balance.

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3. ‘Use It or Lose It’ 🏃‍♂️

GOAL: Retain existing levels of physical and mental fitness.

OUTCOME: Partially Achieved – Need to do better

Leaving the 9-5 can make it easy to relax too much, and you can quickly lose physical and mental sharpness. I’ve put on a few pounds, I’m not as physically active as I’d like (see Health & Wellbeing below), but my mental fitness has been maintained — or at least my family and friends are too kind to tell me otherwise!
A combination of part-time work, personal challenges, and family online games seems to be keeping things ticking over nicely.

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4. Be More Open to Trying New Things ✨

GOAL: Say ‘YES’ to new events and activities (unless there’s a very good reason to say ‘no’).

OUTCOME: Achieved – Want to do more

It’s easy to say ‘no’ when working full-time. Retirement creates space for new opportunities, and I’ve embraced them big style. So this year I’ve found my way to: trying

• Music gigs (from Bootleg Beatles to Fisherman’s Friends)
• Experiences like reflexology and punting
• Exploring new places (from Cambridge to Castle Combe)
• Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones
• Bread making, stock car racing, and engaging with Instagram

If it’s new and interesting, you’re likely to find me there!

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🏋️Health & Wellbeing

Goal: To emerge from the working world leaner, stronger, and brimming with energy.

Outcome: Developing – Attendance Inconsistent

The theory was solid: daily walks, more gym sessions, and a better approach to meals. Reality? Less Instagram-perfect. More “walks detoured past cafés” and a weights program designed to make me eat more bananas!

Sleep, however, deserves an Outstanding. I’ve also mastered the art of staring thoughtfully into the distance with a cup of tea in hand — surely a mindfulness skill in its own right.

Year Two goal: Move more, stretch often, and maintain a healthy ratio of steps to snacks.

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👥Social Life & Community

Goal: Reconnect with friends, meet new people, and engage with local groups.

Outcome: Partially Achieved – Participation Variable

Old friends — lots. New clubs — nil. Enthusiasm was high at the start. I’ve re-engaged with many old friends and made some new ones. But as far as new clubs go… I haven’t found the time yet!

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✈️Travel & Adventure

Goal: Explore new places, revisit favourites, and take advantage of my new-found freedom.

Outcome: Largely Successful – With Occasional Overpacking

Retirement travel has been a joy. There have been great trips, spontaneous detours, and the occasional wrong turn that became the day’s highlight.

Lessons learned: travel lightly, plan thoroughly but loosely, and remember the best days are often the unexpected ones.

We’ve visited two new countries and discovered new experiences and locations we’d long been aiming for — here’s to more in Year Two!

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🎨Creative Projects & Hobbies

Goal: Devote proper time to writing, photography, and other creative pursuits.

Outcome: Progressing Well – Easily Distracted by Shiny New Ideas

The 365 Days of Photos project has been amazing — harder and more time-consuming than expected, but a lot of fun. I’ll miss it when it ends! (If you’d like to see the 52 weekly favourites, click [here].)

Creating and developing this blog has also been rewarding. Initially, it was a space to share experiences transitioning into retirement. But it has evolved to include:

• Other Voices (interviews with other rookie retirees)
• Travel Detours & Postcards (end-of-9-5 GAP YEAR ideas)
• An expanding array of non-financial topics

I hope you’ve found this blog a space for reflection, humour, and connection. As always, I’d love to hear from you about other topics you’d like to explore:

📧 rookieretiree@btinternet.com

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📝Final Remarks & Year Two Outlook

If this were a real report, the teacher’s comment might read:

“Shows enthusiasm, occasionally distracted but great potential.”

Year One has been a mix of progress and procrastination, discovery and distraction, effort and espresso. Retirement isn’t a destination; it’s a state of practice. Some days look productive, others are pure pottering — and both have their place.

Year Two goals are

• Stay curious
• Keep momentum
• Exercise a little more, worry a little less
• Celebrate the small wins in life

“Could Do Better” isn’t a criticism anymore — it’s an invitation to keep trying, laughing, and learning. A pretty good report card, I’d say.

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🔮 Looking Ahead: Blog Content for 2026

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Next year, the topics that I aim to cover include:

• New Year Resolutions & Resets
• Other Voices from the Other Side of the Pond (real-life stories from the USA)
• IT & Technology (what we need to embrace and how we go about it)

BUT if there is some other subject that you’d like me to cover then just drop me a line at –

rookieretiree@btinternet.com

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💡 Want more stories and insights on the Rookie Retirement journey?

Link to the previous post (Part 9) is provided below.

Link to PRIOR POST

OR……

👉 Browse the full series here: [Contents Page]

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All the best for the festive season