Repeatedly, since I retired ten years ago (at 42), I have been asked "What do you do?" Over, over and over again, I have been asked. I have grown to hate this question with a passion.
People are not what they do. Ask a different question, you will be surprised. We all need to say this out loud once a week.
Because I must respond, I tell people I am a stay-at-home wife. Stunned is the normal reaction when I reveal my unique occupation.
I hate to say it girls, but women are the ones who don't stop. Certainly not all women, but I bet you recognize the personalities.
"What do you do all day? I would be so bored if I didn't work " they question. What I want to say is, "honey, you bore the tears out of everyone around you, regardless of the scenery."
Instead I smile, assuring them boredom is never a problem. Usually I then say soothingly that their weekends must be dreadful with all the unstructured time. I suggest they pick up a hobby, perhaps underwater basketweaving?
By then my exit strategy has taken shape. I jump up explaining I must scoot as my Turbo Kick class is starting in a few minutes. I explain to them that I started taking Turbo Kick classes five years ago, loved it so much that I became an instructor. Of course I have to tell them I am a certified Gold Instructor. Hey, just sayin' After class I'm meeting other friends for lunch.
Technically, I now have a legitimate answer to "that question." I am a freelance published writer; however, I usually opt out of sharing this. I stick with the stay-at-home wife answer.
As I walk away, I imagine one snickering, "it must be nice to sit home and do nothing."
I smile to myself, saying yes, it is.
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