Comfort

by Jon Sullivan - 2020-04-17 - Jonism

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It seems like I've had to redefine "comfort" recently.

I've spent my whole life knowing that once I retired I'd just bunker down somewhere and be the lazy hermit I've always wanted to be. No social life, lots of video games, long lonely road trips. And the global pandemic has been a bit of a dry run for that. If I just sat home all day every day, how awesome or awful would that be?

Well now we know. It would be fine. And my cooking would level up rather a lot. And I'd get in more video games. And I'd spend way too much money on Amazon. And I should avoid Facebook like the sewer it is. It does feel like my mental state and life skills are up to it though.

But the downsides are there as well. I got most of the bucket list studio photos out of the way last year, and have no interest in redoing any. So at least one thing I hope I do a lot of in retirement turns out to not be hermit friendly. I do think I have a more solid understanding of how "comfort" will play out. The last couple months I've thought more about comfort than I remember ever doing in the past. Turns out it's important.

I'm learning that cooking = comfort. I never really thought I'd get as much comfort as I have recently from simple traditional meals. I've made chicken and matzo ball soup maybe twice in my life, and having it again during the pandemic really made me realize how wonderful good "comfort food" is. Chicken soup is about as simple as cooking gets. But when you spend the extra time to make it right it's as delicious as anything I've ever eaten.

I think that would be a pretty good retirement. Playing video games and rediscovering comfort food. But hopefully more photo trips.

Of course it's not all good stuff. I'm now hoping my retirement finances are enough to hire a regular maid. It turns out my comfort level with less than normal housekeeping is way too high. Let's just say this weekend should be a bit more devoted to...... how do I say this..... Tidying up. Yeah, let's call it that.

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