The transition into retirement, particularly when precipitated by unforeseen global events, presents a unique set of challenges that can profoundly impact an individual’s sense of purpose and well-being. For a seasoned academic whose career was defined by intellectual rigor and active engagement, the sudden shift to a less structured existence can feel disorienting. This was the experience of a former professor of dramatic arts at Brock University, who, upon retiring in March 2020 amidst the burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic, found himself grappling with the very definition of meaningful occupation. His journey, initially marked by an abrupt departure from his academic life and a struggle to forge new connections, ultimately evolved into a testament to the power of creative pursuits and deliberate self-engagement in shaping a fulfilling post-career phase.
An Abrupt Departure and the Search for Purpose
The professor’s retirement was not a gradual winding down but an immediate cessation of his active role at Brock University in southern Ontario. The global health crisis of early 2020 necessitated a return to his family home in Edmonton. While he initially continued his work remotely, the full retirement followed, with only a subsequent emeritus position allowing him to participate in a collaborative research project. This abrupt end to his professional life left him feeling "stranded," as he described it, struggling to establish new, meaningful connections in the absence of the familiar academic environment.
The initial steps of this transition were marked by a pragmatic, yet emotionally charged, process of divestment. The professor enlisted a former graduate student to meticulously document and ship his extensive book collection. This act, while necessary for decluttering, also served as a stark reminder of the academic life he was leaving behind. Books deemed no longer essential were either kept by the student, donated, or, in a poignant reflection of the finality of the situation, discarded. This process underscored the intellectual and personal identity tied to his career, leaving him to prioritize his mental health as he navigated this uncharted territory.
The Pandemic’s Shadow and the Dawn of Online Collaboration
The stringent lockdowns imposed globally in response to COVID-19 significantly curtailed opportunities for in-person social interaction, a crucial element for an individual who identifies as an extrovert. Forced to adapt, his relationships and social engagements transitioned to the digital realm. A significant development during this period was the initiation of weekly online jam sessions with his sister’s partner. This collaborative musical endeavor, involving keyboard, guitar, and vocals, provided a consistent and enriching source of engagement.
"Jamming with my sister’s partner over FaceTime became a significant weekly activity that still continues," the professor noted, highlighting the deep personal connection fostered through this shared passion. Previously, his academic career had been all-consuming, leaving little room for developing hobbies. However, the guitar, a previously occasional pursuit, now became a lifeline. With the assistance of platforms like Ultimate Guitar, a comprehensive online resource for musicians, they meticulously compiled a repertoire, transforming a nascent interest into a structured and enjoyable activity. This online musical collaboration served as a vital "safe haven during this turbulent time," offering a sense of continuity and shared experience amidst widespread uncertainty. The pandemic, while imposing restrictions, inadvertently catalyzed the exploration and expansion of existing, or newly discovered, interests.
Finding a Voice in Community: The Seniors’ Guitar Group
Buoyed by the confidence gained from his online musical experiences, the professor sought out more tangible social interactions within his local community. He joined a guitar group at a local seniors’ centre, an environment that provided a structured yet flexible setting for musical expression. The group’s modus operandi involved projecting lyrics and chords, with members taking turns selecting songs from a vast database. The designated singer would perform the verses, accompanied by the collective strumming and harmonizing of the group during the choruses.
"There was safety in numbers as voices and guitars blended together," he observed, underscoring the inherent comfort and encouragement found in collective participation. Through consistent practice, both his vocal abilities and guitar playing showed marked improvement. This pursuit offered another avenue for meaningful occupation, moving beyond solitary practice to a dynamic group setting. The group’s openness to new ideas was particularly impactful. The professor actively suggested new songs, contributing to the evolution of their repertoire. This experience aligned with the principles of group development, as articulated by scholars like B. Tuckman, whose work on "Development Sequence in Small Groups" emphasizes the dynamic and evolving nature of group cohesion and function.
"It is important to find groups that don’t merely expect one to fit in with long-established norms," the professor stated, advocating for environments that embrace change and allow for the collaborative redefinition of group identity. He found that this welcoming approach fostered a sense of belonging and mutual respect, with some members privately expressing their appreciation for his contributions. This inclusive environment not only facilitated personal growth but also demonstrated the potential for new members to positively influence established dynamics.
Expanding Horizons: Small Group Refinements and Creative Incursions
The summer break provided an opportunity to deepen these musical connections. The professor invited two fellow musicians who shared similar musical tastes to continue their sessions. Utilizing available rooms at the seniors’ centre, they met weekly, dedicating time to refining their song selections. This focused practice yielded noticeable improvements, which were evident to the larger group upon their return in the fall. Their rendition of the 1950s hit "Kansas City," enhanced by the addition of a harmonica, proved to be a particular success, resonating well with the audience.
This momentum propelled the smaller group to continue meeting independently, convening weekly at their respective homes. These regular engagements, alongside the larger group sessions and the ongoing online collaboration with his friend, constitute significant weekly social events. When combined with personal practice and the study of online lessons and performances, these musical activities now occupy upwards of ten hours per week. The professor emphasized that his musical journey continues to evolve, offering a vital and fulfilling social outlet.
While music satisfied an artistic inclination, the professor’s inherent creative and playful spirit yearned for further outlets. He drew inspiration from his late colleague and friend, Carl Leggo, who consistently sought to uncover the poetic essence within everyday experiences. Leggo’s approach served as a model for the professor’s own burgeoning creative endeavors. With the administrative demands of academic life now absent, his mind found the space to explore these new avenues.
He began compiling a series of "car poems," a unique form of creative writing inspired by his daily commutes. As he traveled, he would observe his surroundings, mentally composing and memorizing short, haiku-like poems that captured the essence of ordinary moments – a mother and child awaiting a school bus on the first day of a new academic year, for instance. This practice, directly influenced by Leggo’s philosophy, has fostered an increased creative disposition. This artistic exploration has further expanded to encompass the collection of song lyrics derived from overheard phrases, with some of these lyrical fragments already being transformed into musical compositions, two of which have been introduced to the larger guitar group.
Redefining Productivity: Lifelong Being Over Lifelong Learning
The professor currently harbors no ambition for publication or public performance. Retirement, for him, has liberated him from the relentless pressure of "dead-line demands" and the "treadmill mentality" often induced by a superficial understanding of productivity, particularly through the lens of annual reports. He actively seeks to maintain this state of being. He has long harbored reservations about the conventional framing of "lifelong learning" and "practicing," which he perceives as placing undue emphasis on future outcomes.
Instead, he champions the concept of "lifelong being." While acknowledging that learning and growth are inherent to this process, he prioritizes present enjoyment. This philosophy resonates with the concept of "laying down and walking," as explored by Francisco Varela and his co-authors in their seminal work, The Embodied Mind. This perspective suggests that while the present moment inherently prepares one for the future, this preparation is emergent rather than meticulously pre-planned.
For the professor, being occupied is synonymous with inhabiting the present moment and appreciating activities for their intrinsic value. This intrinsic motivation is free from the pressure of self-validation. This aligns with the educational philosophy of John Dewey, who urged educators to "cease conceiving of education as mere preparation for later life, and make it the full meaning of the present life." This shift in perspective underscores the importance of finding fulfillment in the ongoing experience of life, rather than solely focusing on future achievements.
Stepping Stones and Serendipitous Opportunities
Not all avenues explored in retirement have yielded the intended sustained interest. The professor revisited a dormant passion for acting, taking on a significant role in a one-act play with a seniors’ drama club. However, he found that the engagement no longer held the same appeal as it once did. His distinguished career had seen him shift his focus towards researching, directing, and co-writing plays that addressed pressing social issues. The traditional theatre process and content, in this instance, no longer aligned with his evolving interests. While this activity provided occupation, he recognized that its continuation would likely have become a mere "time-filler" rather than a source of genuine passion.
Despite this realization, the experience proved valuable. It served as a "stepping-stone," occupying a segment of his time and, crucially, paving the way for more suitable opportunities. This involvement led to his election to the South East Edmonton Seniors Association Board. Coincidentally, a request for assistance in writing a play about elder abuse was presented to the Board. The professor found himself in the right place at the right time, equipped with the relevant skills and experience. This situation provided a profound insight: even activities perceived as "filler" can be integral components of a larger, purposeful process. He likened this to fishing, where one strategically positions oneself in potentially fruitful locations, patiently awaiting opportune moments.
More recently, while attending a guitar jam session, he noticed a poster announcing a writers’ group. This discovery represented another valuable addition to his repertoire of occupied pursuits, akin to a successful catch.
Cultivating a Fulfilling Retirement: A Continuous Creation
Ultimately, the professor’s journey underscores a vital understanding: maintaining both mental and social well-being in retirement is intrinsically linked to sustained creative and playful engagement, whether experienced individually or collaboratively. This requires a proactive and strategic approach. It involves actively seeking out opportunities and like-minded individuals, deliberately positioning oneself in environments where potential avenues for engagement may emerge, and, crucially, creating new opportunities that align with one’s desire for meaningful occupation.
For the professor, retirement has not been a static destination or a predetermined "Shangri-La." Instead, it is an ongoing process of creation, built "step-by-step." This perspective highlights the dynamic and generative nature of a fulfilling retirement, where individuals actively shape their experiences and find purpose through continuous engagement and creative exploration. The story serves as a compelling narrative for others navigating the complexities of post-career life, emphasizing that fulfillment is not found but actively built through deliberate and joyful engagement with the present moment.
