My hope that I will have more free time after retirement is slowly dying. I am busier now than when I had to go to work.
In the last years of my work, I was thinking more and more about what it would be like after retirement. I wanted more free time and more time for myself and my passions. I dreamed of traveling more, spending more time at sea than the few days I was used to. I decided to listen to lots of music to catch up on what I had lost. The same goes for movies...
To spend more time with my wife.
More than that. I really liked a scene from a superb Italian film: "La Grande Bellezza" which means "The Great Beauty".
Contrary to the title, the film is about approaching death.
The main character, Jepp, a writer who wrote only one book and then was taken over by the world and social life, feels that he is getting old and has a line that goes something like this:
"I have decided that after 65 years I will no longer do anything that is imposed on me by others..."
I found it extraordinary to be able to do the same thing, to be free in a way that I have never been in my life. I resolved to try it myself...
I didn't make it; in fact, neither did Jepp, even though it was in a movie.
This is the reality now, I feel that I am busier than before. I don't have time for everything I'd like to do. I think, and I have to laugh, that my biggest fear about life after retirement was that I would be bored!
I managed to find some time to write something. For me, the easiest is to put something in Photography Lovers. I always start with photos when I have to write, photos are my external memory!
The first step is to search for and choose the photos that match the chosen theme. Sometimes I don't even find a theme, I look through until I find some inspiration.
Next comes sorting and editing.
I picked a bunch of photos and I already know that this is not good. I will spend a lot of time editing and choosing the best(?) ones.
I miss the sea and came across a folder with images from my most recent trip to the sea, last September. There are a few hundred photos and I thought the choice would be hard knowing that I have used some in other posts and would have to try to avoid them.
Contrary to my fears, this time the choice was easy, it went quickly, and it was as if the photos chose themselves. This was my feeling when I saw my selection.
Looking carefully at the photos, I noticed what I think you noticed too, namely that they all show the sea and some small, very small people.
People were not small in age, nor were they dwarfs, they were small compared to the greatness of the sea, of nature, and they were practically crushed by it.
Humans dominate and rule the earth, but in the face of untamed nature, they are small and helpless. I have seen this many times lately, fortunately, on TV.
Photos taken from the promenade of Balchik, a town on the Black Sea in Bulgaria.
These photos chose themselves and now I know they wanted to convey a message, with my help. I hope I succeeded.
What should the message be?
I think the universe, nature, wants to remind us how small we are and that a little modesty wouldn't hurt!
I always start with photos when I want to write a blog. Photos remind me of places, events, and feelings that turn into words...
Since we all love photography, let’s explore the captivating details captured in these photos.!
A wise saying goes that a photograph is worth a thousand words, but I don't think so.
It depends on the viewer.
I was about to comment on your post this morning and then our electricity went off. I am not retired but somehow I can relate to you... When I work, I have some crazy schedules. Then I wait for the school breaks as think I would have time for everything... but then I still have the same feeling that there are not enough hours in one day 🤣
I see from your posts that your schedule is not linear, and can be very busy at times.
Time is running out, that's obvious, the world has changed.
It's always an unpleasant surprise when the electricity goes out. It happens to us once in a while.
oh such a lovely pics, the color is unique and beautiful !
Thank you!
I had spent the last 5 years waiting for the time to qualify for my early retirement and it was so long. In July last year, that time had come, I was also dreaming of my pleasant life of not having to go to work and being able to do whatever I wanted. But then I thought better of it and decided to stay another year. Before, that was unthinkable for me. If someone had told me that I would decide to stay longer at my job, I would not have believed them.
Anyway, I believe that being busy is not bad, wasting time is.
In relation to these beautiful photographs, I have also thought many times, that we are nothing before the greatness of nature.
Greetings.
People like us with so much to do don't get bored! Enjoy every day, the sea and all those beautiful things, the family and every minute, it's precious! What wonderful pictures!🤗
Some of my friend who retired last year told me the same. Perhaps, we know the value of free time during our work life :)
What a beautiful place, the view is so amazing ❤️
hi.... your write up is awesome. I love the quietness and Peace the sea brings.I especially love the images.well done Sir