26 Comments
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Julie's avatar

Oh wow! Four blogs can definitely keep you busy through retirement. I am in the process of downsizing and that's one major step towards doing a sabbatical. I intend to do it at the end of the academic year. The hard part is the planning and talking about it to people. Though I am nowhere near retirement age, something tells me I should do a sabbatical and I've been saving and planning really hard. Others imagine that my sabbatical life would be me vacationing for an entire year. Thankfully, I do have a tiny group of people who are doing career breaks and I can turn to them. They definitely seem just as busy when they were working.

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Julie I think a sabbatical is a great idea. My daughter took a year out after three years of uni, and I remember being very worried that she wouldn’t get back to complete her studies. She did go back the following year and completed her degree and Masters. Sometimes you just know what it is that you need.

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Natalie's avatar

Hi Jennifer, It's great that you maintain four blogs and they bring you joy. The freedom in retirement can't be beat and there's never enough time when one has many interests and curiosity. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

That’s so true Natalie

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Oh my! That's quite a bit on your plate but I understand not wanting to put them together. Yes, retirement is so busy. I can't seem to get everything done I want to!!

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Thank you for subscribing Linda. I think being busy in retirement is great

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Joanne's avatar

I don't think I realized you had 4 blogs! That is quite an undertaking.. but if you enjoy it that's what matters most.

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Yes I love it Joanna, and keep post numbers manageable.

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

I find writing here once a week now is plenty for me but I can see you want to keep your passions alive and good going.

I know I have to make specific times/days to catch up with friends as overdoing it wears me out.

I have rest/relax times but I am not as conscientious as B who plans and keeps to his plans. I am more impulsive but know my physical and emotional limits more.

Enjoy what you enjoy in retirement and when it feels like WORK then that is a message to you!!

Take care

Denyse #TeamWWWhimsy

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

I like you message Denyse and when it feels like work then that will be the end of it for me.

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Min's avatar

Wow Jennifer - you have more blogs than I realised! I don't think I could manage that many but I understand why you've got them and like to keep them separate. I used to be into family history. I've got a site on myheritage.com where I was building a family tree but I stopped when it got so big that I had to pay to have more space. I also no longer had time to get lost in that rabbit hole. Maybe one day I'll pick it up again! My retirement hasn't felt like a retirement at all. It's all been about aged care - caring for my Mum. We've had a little bit of travel but we haven't been able to do the big UK and Europe trip yet. For that we need at least 6 weeks and we can't go away for that long right now. Keep on shaping your life around your interests and enjoy every moment! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy ! xo

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

You have had a busy time Min. I keep my family history in a dedicated program, and not online as it it too expensive. One day when life calms down a bit you might like to get back to it, but theres no pressure for you to do that. I think ‘no pressure’ is the name of the game. I know it is for me.

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Bernie L Cruikshank's avatar

Makes sense to me. I have, I think at last count, now 5 blogs. One is on our house restoration and is what started it all. The main one where you have seen me. Then I have a camper/travel blog that is only active in the summer or when we do projects. Then I have 2 photo ones (one is now full of media so that's why it has moved on). So with different functions it makes sense and yours seem like that as well. I rarely ever schedule anything ahead of time and just work it up as it comes. Yes to being busy in retirement that's for sure! Bernie

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Retirement certainly is busy Bernie. I didn't realise you had those other blogs. I have tried to schedule but it never really works for me, so I just muddle along.

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Kirstin Troyer's avatar

I've read this blog and your reading one. Your others sound awesome too. I look forward to finding more time to blog. I'd love to research family history more.

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Christie Hawkes's avatar

I just love how you describe your retired life, Jen, as a series of enjoyable moments dedicated to different passions. That sounds exactly as it should be. Enjoy every moment.

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Thanks Christie. I agree with you.

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Catherine's avatar

Well I just wrote a big long comment- and just managed to lose it😊

My feelings are retirement is just another step in life - you do what you want to do, not influenced by how/what others think this stage of life should lived. Commitments just change a fraction.

If managing a certain number of blogs is what you enjoy then do it….I’m happy with one blog posting fewer days now than before. Takes me time to comment on others and reply to those on mine - guilty isn’t in my vocabulary these days - if it doesn’t happen so be it!

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Jo Linney's avatar

I now love the uninterrupted days but however much I try something creeps in. I blocked this week out to write but have no days. Next week I will … I am not complaining it adds to life’s rich pageant. My grand father was born in Haverford west I must look your blog up xxxx

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

That’s interesting to hear about your Haverfordwest connection Jo. My One Place Study has only been online since last year. At the moment I am focusing on 19th century.

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Deb's World's avatar

I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying your retired life Jen, it really is a great time! I have to set aside time to respond to comments and write blog posts and then to read others, so it becomes a bit overwhelming at times with everything else I'm trying to do!! You are amazing with the various blogs you manage to keep up with let alone your own! #TeamWWWhimsy

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Mainly due to not sleeping well Deb. I get so much done when everyone else is asleep.

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Sue Women Living Well After 50's avatar

What interesting blogs you have Jennifer, although I'm not sure how you keep up with all of them. I'm still working out whether to transfer my blog over to Substack fully. I've transferred the Podcast and have been trying to write a weekly newsletter but still determining what I actually want to do and why. Have a great week. #TeamWWWhimsy

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

I'm really enjoying that substack does very simply what can be quite time consuming on Wordpress Sue. Also, I love the community there.

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Donna Connolly's avatar

HI, Jennifer - When I retired (9 years ago), I also imagined vast stretches of uninterupted time at my disposal. Rarely happens! I am very impressed that you can manage four different blogs. My one little blog alone keeps me on my toes. I think a monthly roundup post is a great idea!

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Thanks for your feedback Donna. Lack of sleep can be helpful to getting it all done.

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