Meeting deadlines may be the most significant element of being a successful journalist. But what transpires when deadlines are no longer enforced by others but become ones that must be self-imposed? How do you hold yourself accountable in that regard and in other areas of life like healthy eating habits?

For me, those two areas seem to be the long-term side effects of the Covid isolation - which brought about the decision for early retirement and allowed for relaxed evenings of increased food and drink! Retirement has certainly allowed us to “live life” with travel and experimental cooking but with no set time limits in sight!  

Without structured deadlines, which had been a part of my career in publishing for 33 years, it has meant a lag in finalizing blogs as there have not been any “hard and fast” dates. Many posts have been written - but they have been left as drafts on my laptop or have not been finalized as “publishing” ready! It made me ponder and wonder if that is why so many novels are left unpublished or why artists only paint for themselves. I find that it is difficult to “release” my writings or to feel that they are truly complete. My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic so that was not lacking. But as this season of life is upon me, with no deadlines from the printing industry, I am working to find ways to hold myself accountable in uploading blogs! I appreciate the encouragement and nudging from friends and family in regard to this new content.

Accountability in day-to-day life also spills over into aspects other than tasks. After being part of the working world for 44 years, retirement brought about unique challenges in addition to all of the positives that naturally happened with daytime flexibility. Freedom of time and choices carries responsibilities whether it is labor, effort or food! Not to make excuses, but “Covid weight” according to my doctor is a very real thing for many people. Applying self control to make the best choices with healthy foods had to be reestablished moving forward with my life. 

Now that life for the most part is back to the pre-Covid days, finding a healthy working balance for myself in retirement is a must! Considering the last post to this site was 28 long months ago, surely I will now be accountable to myself and others so that there will not be such a lengthy time before the next blog.