Agree with others, retirement consequences eloquently analyzed. I've found it helpful to not dwell on the sadness on those aspects of one's identity lost, but instead on new doors opened as a consequence of those which closed. This has worked for me much better than I ever could have anticipated.
Good read Doc and suggested reading for you ... The Poetics of Space - Bachelard. One of the fundamental treatises on architectural phenomenology (look it up kids!).
“If I were asked to name the chief benefit of the house, I should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace. ”
"It’s just a house. Well no, it’s not. Lives happened there. The cabin inhabits my soul. If I sell it, a big part of my life goes, too." - Poignant and timely. I'm gonna shamelessly steal/borrow and reapply. Always Love your two cents. Thx for doing what you do.
We made the decision to sell our high-maintenance house in the woods before we HAD to, and have never regretted it. Long wooden staircases that were easy before become dangerous as we go on. Climbing back up becomes painful. You go there not for present pleasures, but for memories. But the memories will always be with you. Keep mementos. You've already written the stories. Now start new memories.
Wow this got me thinking. I'm 43 now, in that too busy to see anywhere but straight-ahead mode and wondering if I should find a way to live with more time to myself, gazing at the stars. Why wait until 65 to start enjoying things. My work will give me a gold watch when I'm done 22 years from now, but for what? Is that really worth the time I lost?
FWIW, I say don't sell it. You're new to retirement and you don't yet know what's going to work and not work for you. In the spring, you might find the cabin is your favorite place to be now that you have time on your hands. Re-evaluate in a year. If it was more of a pain than a joy, then sell it. But take this first year of retirement and learn something about what's going to make you tick and give you a new sense of purpose. The cabin could be a part of that, or it could not. You'll find out.
My Dad had our cabin built out there by your cabin Paul. Our name is Clock. Ours was one of the first out there. You may have driven past our road sign. It's named after my grandpa LF Clock. Its beautiful out there. They ended up losing their cabin because Mom and Dad had back to back cancer diagnosis's and couldnt afford it. It's really sad. I really wish they still had it. Healthcare in this country is a joke. I'd say keep it. I think you'll regret it if you sell it.
Agree with others, retirement consequences eloquently analyzed. I've found it helpful to not dwell on the sadness on those aspects of one's identity lost, but instead on new doors opened as a consequence of those which closed. This has worked for me much better than I ever could have anticipated.
We chose our version of the cabin and gave up on city life. It works for us❤️
Good read Doc and suggested reading for you ... The Poetics of Space - Bachelard. One of the fundamental treatises on architectural phenomenology (look it up kids!).
“If I were asked to name the chief benefit of the house, I should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace. ”
Sell it. You'll find woods, trees, sunsets and breezes in other places. Make new memories.
The world gives us more opportunities just as time starts taking them away! What an outstanding sentence! Great piece.
Simplicity is often hard-earned. And as such, better appreciated.
"It’s just a house. Well no, it’s not. Lives happened there. The cabin inhabits my soul. If I sell it, a big part of my life goes, too." - Poignant and timely. I'm gonna shamelessly steal/borrow and reapply. Always Love your two cents. Thx for doing what you do.
We made the decision to sell our high-maintenance house in the woods before we HAD to, and have never regretted it. Long wooden staircases that were easy before become dangerous as we go on. Climbing back up becomes painful. You go there not for present pleasures, but for memories. But the memories will always be with you. Keep mementos. You've already written the stories. Now start new memories.
Keep it for now. Try to spend 5 days a month there for a year. If you can’t or won’t then sell it.
Thank you for a wonderful piece today Doc.
Thanks for coming back. I've missed this.
This essay exemplifies why so many people love you and love what you write. Continued thanks for carrying on via Substack (whatever that is…).
Fire Mr. Thinwallet and keep the. If hardly use it, who cares. Owning it gives you comfort.
Beautifully written. Heart-wrenching decision only you can make.
Wow this got me thinking. I'm 43 now, in that too busy to see anywhere but straight-ahead mode and wondering if I should find a way to live with more time to myself, gazing at the stars. Why wait until 65 to start enjoying things. My work will give me a gold watch when I'm done 22 years from now, but for what? Is that really worth the time I lost?
FWIW, I say don't sell it. You're new to retirement and you don't yet know what's going to work and not work for you. In the spring, you might find the cabin is your favorite place to be now that you have time on your hands. Re-evaluate in a year. If it was more of a pain than a joy, then sell it. But take this first year of retirement and learn something about what's going to make you tick and give you a new sense of purpose. The cabin could be a part of that, or it could not. You'll find out.
My Dad had our cabin built out there by your cabin Paul. Our name is Clock. Ours was one of the first out there. You may have driven past our road sign. It's named after my grandpa LF Clock. Its beautiful out there. They ended up losing their cabin because Mom and Dad had back to back cancer diagnosis's and couldnt afford it. It's really sad. I really wish they still had it. Healthcare in this country is a joke. I'd say keep it. I think you'll regret it if you sell it.
A beautiful homage to a very special place....and those memories will be with you forever.