…like this, in early retirement.
I was scheduled for Jury Duty this week. It was Federal Jury Duty so it was to be a week of calling and driving into downtown, parking, and shuttling to the courthouse to do my civic duty. Nevermind killing time roaming around at lunch and having to pay for food.
I had prepared for this life interruption by rearranging my life duties and activities to open up this week and possibly the following two weeks in case it was a 3-week trial.
I was originally scheduled for Jury duty in the summer and I postponed it until November. Then I had some things come up for November, so I moved it to October 14th.
On Friday evening I checked the website with my juror info and it said “there is no jury service scheduled for ### week, your service term has ended.” I felt a rush of adrenaline and had to read it THREE times. I had my wife read it, just to be sure.
Not being bound to someone else’s schedule for a day, week, or weeks felt AMAZING. I felt like I won a contest. By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around (the best time of the retired week), I felt that sense of freedom that was almost taken away from me. A sense of having MY time back to MYSELF.
These days of “my time” feel almost exactly like holidays used to feel when working. Especially similar to the day after thankseating which was just a bonus day.
Just like last year when I wasn’t picked for a 2-week jury trial, I decided to make sure I get things done on my Don’t Forget List with my newly reclaimed time. I’m not going overboard; I just plan to do two things per day that I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish if I were driving-sitting-jurying-driving.
I am going to over-achieve a little bit and count the happy weekend days before heading off to the jury room. So, that means 7 days * two things per day = 14 total bonus accomplishments.
I LOVE not having commitments…and getting stuff done. Ironic?
It’s day 4 and I’ve completed 8 noticeable things and a few small nagging don’t forget things. Not bad for a slacker.
*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.