Ha! I told each of my boys as HS sophomores that they were on the ten-year clock because we die young in my family. So far, so good… 
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At first I thought you meant you were literally living on the Cambridge common, and I was like, I can wave to you as I drive by - I’m relieved that you mean in some kind of housing close to the common.
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That’s been my approach as well
My son once mentioned that some other parents of young people his age have been “asking for grandchildren” (I felt a little questioning from him as to whether I was going to ask).
I said “being a parent is such a huge, huge responsibility that lasts a lifetime … I’d never weigh in on something that significant.”
Totally appreciate that others take a different approach - everyone is unique!
(Sorry if this is a topic digression…!)
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I think you are confusing being a digital nomad with homelessness. I am in a gorgeous building looking on the common, yes, not on a bench. But wave anyway.
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Going back to Monstersa plants—this is my Monstera deliciosa. My late husband was the plant person—me—not so much. Any suggestions for how to perk this up?
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Whatever you do, keep it in a pot unless you want it taking over your yard. It was in the front yard of my parents house and the leaves were considerably larger than a placemat and roots were as thick as an arm or leg.
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I’d trim the air roots and some wilting leaves and repot it into a larger container.
No danger of that happening where Bromfield lives!
But to illustrate how much space a monstera can take up… here is a pic from Hawaii. This one was a smaller hedge.
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My first thought is yes, clean/trim roots and repot and if sturdy enough, use some plant stakes and plant Velcro tape to gather (most of) the stems up.
You can also trim off some of those long root things - I forget what they are called!
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Those are aerial (or air) roots. I trim them ruthlessly or they stick to the hardwood floors! 
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I drive by there frequently, so I’ll wave, too!
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I’m starting to get concerned. 
I retired from a full time job end of 2024 and then have been working part-time in a job very related (basically just for the national entity of it) since January 2025. It’s WFH mostly and I have loved it. T-W-Th for 7 hour days, Mondays I do an hour or two to “catch up”. I’ve loved it!
I’m filing for SS (my full time job was at a state university so not fully vested but state retirement) because I’ve reached full retirement age at 66.10 years. My plan was to probably work until March or April 2027. For a variety of reasons, I’m starting to see it might make more sense to just finished out 2026. OMG THAT IS SO SOON!
Do not tell me I’ll fill my time. Do not tell me I’m earned it. I actually like working and having the extra $ and REALLY love a schedule. I have some extracurriculars. I am panicking that I’m going to wake up January 2, the holidays behind us (yay) but a whole winter ahead of me (boo!) and I’m going to be stuck without a routine and to be honest, WORTH.
I do not care to sleep in. H is not a traveler - that will not be part of the picture. I do not have any interest in turning the tv on during the day. I don’t have a big friend group. We are having our first grandchild this fall and they live 2.5 hours away. Sure I might help or visit but I don’t see spending an abundance of time there. Another child is in that same city, no kids. Another child is here in town and married, no kids.
I am REALLY feeling the “you are turning 67 and the majority of people you’re working with could be your kids” while at the same time luckily feeling very much NOT 67 and not really wanting to “slow down” in any shape or form!
Not sure what I’m asking for. Maybe I’ll get some clarity in the next couple of months. H retired years ago and has a small business out of our home that really occupies a good bit of his time (no, I’m not interested in helping him more than a little bit I already do). To be honest, we have for a long time kind of done our own things. For better or worse, we are not tied to the hip. We don’t have a lot of the same interests but of course we are stuck with each other and love our family time.
This is a problem I always knew I had. I was always clueless at people being so excited about retiring and I just have never felt that way. Getting another job isn’t really the right answer. SLIGHT chance I could do some consulting but very slight. Trader Joe’s in opening in town next summer though and I know they do hire seniors! If Jan-Sept gets to be a bear I might be in the application line!
(Adding that I’m in Ohio and good weather time is a lot easier to fill time because I largely take care of the yard, pool, home garden and I have a community garden too. But November - April, yikes!)
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@abasket I’m glad you posted. It’s a big adjustment, especially for a person who really enjoys their paid employment.
The only advice I have is that you should expect to need some time to “settle in”. Like you, I don’t care for people suggesting what I “should” do in retirement. And what you think you want to do might not turn out to be the right thing for you. You know yourself better than anyone.
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My advice is to play it by ear. If you feel that it is time to leave your current job, do it … if not, don’t leave. Once you leave your job, take a bit of time to breathe, and go from there. I was going to work another 6 years beyond the point when I stopped. I found that I was fine not working, but you very well may hate it. Try some volunteering, or look for a part time job (TJ’s, paraprofessional or lunch room at a school, something clerical, whatever interests you). Just be open to whatever piques your interest at the time. And quit if you don’t like it!
I have truly enjoyed being off for the last 7 years. GD is off to kindergarten Monday, though, and I kind of feel like it’s time for me to add some activities to my repertoire (not schedule - I like the no-schedule thing). I have no idea what I want to do, but I’ll figure it out. I am an overachiever, but I have actually found joy in not being worried about achieving. Everyone is different, and you won’t necessarily know what is best for you until you’re in the thick of it. That’s okay - you’ll figure it out.
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If any of your reason are related to finances, perhaps you can hire somebody to sort through the various factors of SS, pension etc.
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It’s not really financial though it will obviously be a bit of a change. We both have state pensions, H better than mine but “security” there.
I appreciate the comments already posted and I am glad I posted to cause it’s been on my mind and I’m bothered by it!
A bit of fear is the time of year. I absolutely hate winter. Absolutely! Like I said, travel is not on the table except for quickie out of towns to see the girls. That’s why I thought that if I left my job closer to spring it would help. But I’ll know more in the next month or so but some things are leaning towards making the exit sooner.
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Would you be willing to travel without your husband? The first year I was retired from my school job, I planned a trip out of state. And it was so much fun to realize I didn’t really have to do anything at any particular time.
I’ll say…congratulations to you.
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I am not too far away. I have always been busy with work, so it’s going to be different not having to be anywhere.
I have signed up to audit classes at some colleges in NYC. We are lucky that it’s free to senior citizens. It’s funny to get new admitted students emails and getting student ID. All I could think of is getting student discounts.
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In NYC all a candidate needs to be a substitute teacher is a bachelor’s degree in anything. People have to work at least 20 days a year to avoid going through the certification process the following year. And you can limit assignments to your own neighborhood, or whatever, and select school leve (K-5, 6-8, high school. The pay is almost $300/day. This is something I’ve been considering since I retired, in addition to auditing City/State U classes.
@abasket, it sounds like you can take your time to decide. Best to you!
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Why are you considering retirement? Remember, retirement is an option not a requirement. If you love what you do (or love the commitment of a work schedule), and fear the unknown of unscheduled time, why retire? If I had loved what I did, I’d still be at it but work interfered with my goal of unscheduled time. I envy those who plan to work until they die because they love what they do.
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