Chris we are here as subscribers because we have followed you for years.
You gave me something to look forward to twice a week with your video posts during the pandemic.
I feel like I speak for most people here in saying, don’t apologize for what you are not writing. I am sure there will be times ahead where you will be writing like crazy and we will still be here.
We see the value in your insights into the wacky world of politics.
Yes, I have. I went from being a very busy senior executive to a retired guy, and even knowing it was coming did not make the change less jarring. No meetings, no memos, and no contact from people who were friends with your position, not with you.
But, physical activity (like biking), reading, working on cars, all helped me fill the gap. It’s hard when you’re used to a career filling up your day. Now you have to do it. Being unplugged can feel like being lost.
The good news is that it fades. It took me more than six months, but I made it. Now, 9 years later, I am firmly in control of what I do, what I like, and what I choose. Ultimately, it’s
As usual, Chris, I enjoyed your post and your willingness to share a (perceived) less-than-perfect side of yourself. Very brave and endearing. Here’s a thought (which unfortunately will add to your workload - sorry!): following your own comment in the post about thinking/writing about politics from a longer-term perspective than the daily Trump-indigestible. While you’ve written before about what you’re reading, how about adding one book to that list relevant to the political world, and report on (and review) that book progressively as you’re reading it over the course of a few weeks (it can take me 6 months to get through a 400-pager). You might start with the new one by Richard Haass, the outgoing president of the Council on Foreign Relations, “the Bill of Obligations (the ten habits of good citizens)” (240 pages) which was inspired by those recent dangerous events, and proposes things like (Spoiler Alert): be informed; participate; shun violence; be open to compromise; focus on the common good; be civil; respect government service; value norms. In other words - the UN-Trump
I've just retired from my Massage Therapy career. Gardening helps. What with climate change, I spend hours outside watering just to keep things alive. I was surprised by a little snake who came to drink. It submerged its entire head underwater. I've never seen that before. I have a Curved Bill Thasher nest in the Cholla by my mailbox. A Western Kingbird raised a clutch in my clothespin basket. Look around.
I can relate to what you are going through. I was laid off from my writing job in 2017, and like you, I was used to producing a lot of content on a regular basis. I enjoyed the time off at first, but it wasn't long before I got restless and at some point I did have to find a new job. Fortunately, I was able to land one that allows me to continue doing what I love to do. I am glad that you are still writing as well...even if it's not as often.
Sadly, I'm still not at a point where slowing down can even be contemplated--two kids in college, and a third on the way! I'm envious that you've found a way to do so, though!
Sharing your thoughts and struggles goes way beyond and above content. When it comes down to it, we all struggle or had seasons when we struggled with much of what you’re saying in your personal, reflective insights. Thank you.
Chris, have you considered that you don’t always have to write about politics, or the news? Some of your most insightful recent posts have been about family, about life, about the things in life that really matter. Personally, I sometimes take a “news break” for a day or two, or even a week. Go camping, go hiking, go to the beach or the mountains. Put the phone down, don’t look at the newspaper or watch the television. I find it relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Nature heals!
As always, Chris, enjoying your perspective on things. As said above, we follow you as we enjoy your writing, viewpoints and have been following you for awhile. It is okay to take things some days as they come. My husband and I retired 12/15/22 and we looked forward to that date for quite sometime. Husband is 5 years older than I and since covid and working from home, he semi retired but was still slogging through enough hours that kept him busy. Unfortunately, our yippee we retired is just hitting us now as my 87 year old dad unexpectedly passed away 1/1/23. I am an only child so it all fell on myself, my husband and fortunately our son and daughter in law were able to help quite a bit. My dad lived in Florida so that meant driving to Florida from (DE - us & NJ - son & daughter in law) on New Year’s Day and 1/2/23. We were in Florida for the month of January and had a lot to do in February as we needed to sell his house. As thing died down, and I had more time on my hands it was hard to slow my brain down. I was coming off the hamster wheel of working and then slammed with my dads things. It is hard to slow it down and as much I was looking forward to it, it’s a hard transition.
I am honestly surprised that you feel it's slow with all that's going on in the nes today. Like Biden's speech in Chicago about Bidenomics and Trump's tape and his failed attempts to explain what he was saying in the tape.
Good post, Chris. It's very hard to slow down when you're used to going at full speed. And you seem like someone for whom full speed is normal. I'm most satisfied in like when I'm away from my phone, and yet here I am...
Your reflexions got me to thinking about what work ethic looks like these days. I'm in my 60's. I grew up with the traditional view that work for most people is defined as 5 8-hour days, producing what got produced in those daily 8-hours. Pump it out. On a schedule. I'm observing the growth of the "gig economy" (not sure I love the term, but it works). More and more of us are working on actual product (deliver a person with my car, deliver a meal with my car, pick up some contract piece work). This got me to thinking that the value in one's work is the product delivered, not the rhythm of constant productivity at a fixed pace. That's the context in which I view your posts...I appreciate the quality of the product when it's warranted, not a constant pace of 3-a-days. Clearly the whole economy isn't switched over to that way of thinking, and it will probably never be totally that way, but the concept does cause me to view what I receive differently than I used to.
The toughest part about slowing down is when (my 9th grade English teacher would kill me for using "is when"...sigh) you have to ramp back up very quickly. I find the quick ebbs and flows much harder to deal with than the long slowdown. The second concern is when (again Packer :)) your partner is at a different pace than you are. My wife is moving towards retirement (child psychologist) and spends more time lunching and playing tennis than working...it's very hard to be at different stages
As with many of the comments, I've been fortunate to be able to retire from a demanding, stressful job while still alive. I am lucky to have plenty of interests. Never enough time; wife says I must sleep some every night.
As to your output, I would be interested in your concrete ideas and suggestions on how to protect our Republic from the magats, trumpists, desantoids, etc.
Not just WAKE UP, PEOPLE, but actual action you would take, were you totally free.
Chris we are here as subscribers because we have followed you for years.
You gave me something to look forward to twice a week with your video posts during the pandemic.
I feel like I speak for most people here in saying, don’t apologize for what you are not writing. I am sure there will be times ahead where you will be writing like crazy and we will still be here.
We see the value in your insights into the wacky world of politics.
Thank you so much! And I hope you are checking on my You Tube videos!
Yes, I have. I went from being a very busy senior executive to a retired guy, and even knowing it was coming did not make the change less jarring. No meetings, no memos, and no contact from people who were friends with your position, not with you.
But, physical activity (like biking), reading, working on cars, all helped me fill the gap. It’s hard when you’re used to a career filling up your day. Now you have to do it. Being unplugged can feel like being lost.
The good news is that it fades. It took me more than six months, but I made it. Now, 9 years later, I am firmly in control of what I do, what I like, and what I choose. Ultimately, it’s
more healthy AND very liberating.
I am 6 months in...so maybe I am starting to approach that fade you are talking about....
As usual, Chris, I enjoyed your post and your willingness to share a (perceived) less-than-perfect side of yourself. Very brave and endearing. Here’s a thought (which unfortunately will add to your workload - sorry!): following your own comment in the post about thinking/writing about politics from a longer-term perspective than the daily Trump-indigestible. While you’ve written before about what you’re reading, how about adding one book to that list relevant to the political world, and report on (and review) that book progressively as you’re reading it over the course of a few weeks (it can take me 6 months to get through a 400-pager). You might start with the new one by Richard Haass, the outgoing president of the Council on Foreign Relations, “the Bill of Obligations (the ten habits of good citizens)” (240 pages) which was inspired by those recent dangerous events, and proposes things like (Spoiler Alert): be informed; participate; shun violence; be open to compromise; focus on the common good; be civil; respect government service; value norms. In other words - the UN-Trump
There was a piece on PBS Newshour about this…very interesting. 😊
I've just retired from my Massage Therapy career. Gardening helps. What with climate change, I spend hours outside watering just to keep things alive. I was surprised by a little snake who came to drink. It submerged its entire head underwater. I've never seen that before. I have a Curved Bill Thasher nest in the Cholla by my mailbox. A Western Kingbird raised a clutch in my clothespin basket. Look around.
I’m pondering it Pinky. Great article. Thx for the gentle reminder: the importance to remember to slow down. Wisdom 👺
Slowing down is the hardest, best thing we can do for ourselves.
Nobody will complain if you get a little personal, Chris. How did you become a political nerd?
I love that topic. Will write on it!
I can relate to what you are going through. I was laid off from my writing job in 2017, and like you, I was used to producing a lot of content on a regular basis. I enjoyed the time off at first, but it wasn't long before I got restless and at some point I did have to find a new job. Fortunately, I was able to land one that allows me to continue doing what I love to do. I am glad that you are still writing as well...even if it's not as often.
Thanks so much and appreciate you sharing your experience too. There's a light at the end of the tunnel. I know it.
Sadly, I'm still not at a point where slowing down can even be contemplated--two kids in college, and a third on the way! I'm envious that you've found a way to do so, though!
Sharing your thoughts and struggles goes way beyond and above content. When it comes down to it, we all struggle or had seasons when we struggled with much of what you’re saying in your personal, reflective insights. Thank you.
Thank you for reading. It means a lot.
Chris, have you considered that you don’t always have to write about politics, or the news? Some of your most insightful recent posts have been about family, about life, about the things in life that really matter. Personally, I sometimes take a “news break” for a day or two, or even a week. Go camping, go hiking, go to the beach or the mountains. Put the phone down, don’t look at the newspaper or watch the television. I find it relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Nature heals!
good idea!
As always, Chris, enjoying your perspective on things. As said above, we follow you as we enjoy your writing, viewpoints and have been following you for awhile. It is okay to take things some days as they come. My husband and I retired 12/15/22 and we looked forward to that date for quite sometime. Husband is 5 years older than I and since covid and working from home, he semi retired but was still slogging through enough hours that kept him busy. Unfortunately, our yippee we retired is just hitting us now as my 87 year old dad unexpectedly passed away 1/1/23. I am an only child so it all fell on myself, my husband and fortunately our son and daughter in law were able to help quite a bit. My dad lived in Florida so that meant driving to Florida from (DE - us & NJ - son & daughter in law) on New Year’s Day and 1/2/23. We were in Florida for the month of January and had a lot to do in February as we needed to sell his house. As thing died down, and I had more time on my hands it was hard to slow my brain down. I was coming off the hamster wheel of working and then slammed with my dads things. It is hard to slow it down and as much I was looking forward to it, it’s a hard transition.
It IS a hard transition, Elaine. And thanks for sharing.
I am honestly surprised that you feel it's slow with all that's going on in the nes today. Like Biden's speech in Chicago about Bidenomics and Trump's tape and his failed attempts to explain what he was saying in the tape.
Fair enough!
Good post, Chris. It's very hard to slow down when you're used to going at full speed. And you seem like someone for whom full speed is normal. I'm most satisfied in like when I'm away from my phone, and yet here I am...
Your reflexions got me to thinking about what work ethic looks like these days. I'm in my 60's. I grew up with the traditional view that work for most people is defined as 5 8-hour days, producing what got produced in those daily 8-hours. Pump it out. On a schedule. I'm observing the growth of the "gig economy" (not sure I love the term, but it works). More and more of us are working on actual product (deliver a person with my car, deliver a meal with my car, pick up some contract piece work). This got me to thinking that the value in one's work is the product delivered, not the rhythm of constant productivity at a fixed pace. That's the context in which I view your posts...I appreciate the quality of the product when it's warranted, not a constant pace of 3-a-days. Clearly the whole economy isn't switched over to that way of thinking, and it will probably never be totally that way, but the concept does cause me to view what I receive differently than I used to.
This is REALLY good perspective for me. I am going to try to take it to heart.
The toughest part about slowing down is when (my 9th grade English teacher would kill me for using "is when"...sigh) you have to ramp back up very quickly. I find the quick ebbs and flows much harder to deal with than the long slowdown. The second concern is when (again Packer :)) your partner is at a different pace than you are. My wife is moving towards retirement (child psychologist) and spends more time lunching and playing tennis than working...it's very hard to be at different stages
As with many of the comments, I've been fortunate to be able to retire from a demanding, stressful job while still alive. I am lucky to have plenty of interests. Never enough time; wife says I must sleep some every night.
As to your output, I would be interested in your concrete ideas and suggestions on how to protect our Republic from the magats, trumpists, desantoids, etc.
Not just WAKE UP, PEOPLE, but actual action you would take, were you totally free.