In 2020, after 27 years working for the state of North Carolina, I
decided to retire. I'd spent seven years as a
correctional officer working in a medium security prison while in my
twenties, taken a break from state employment and then taken an IT job
in the school system for the next 20 years. I was only 55 at the time,
but pension eligible. I was coming off having both of my arthritic knees
replaced. The world was shutting down because of the pandemic and
changes at my job made me unenthusiastic about returning after lockdown.
I submitted my paperwork. It was accepted and there I was, 100% without
a plan to do anything.
Hindsight
In hindsight, I could have done so many things, established a physical
recovery program from my surgeries, started this blog, created a
landscaping masterpiece - something. Instead, I kind of went into shock.
I started off OK. I renewed my library card, made a detailed "to read"
list and got started. I walked occasionally. I kept the house in OK
order. I even completed a viewing of Hill Street Blues, something I'd
wanted to do since the 80s. But gradually, what I did was sleep. I slept
like it was my job. Undoubtably, I sank into a depression marked not so
much by sadness but by unconsciousness. I had to set an alarm to wake up
in time to cook supper for my wife. Four hours later I would be back in
bed. It was zero fun. I knew it wasn't normal but I felt powerless to do
anything about it. I found out that I'd had a bout of with the
Epstein-Barr virus which kind of precipitated the whole thing. But it
had become habitual. Even when my doctor prescribed a stimulant, I still
really, really wanted to just sleep.
Solution
Kind of in desperation, I jumped at a chance to take a temporary IT
position at the university where my wife works. I would be doing a
relatively simple job, deploying replacement computers to staff and
faculty. After years of higher level work I knew this would be the
equivalent of information technology comfort food. It would take up
time, serve a purpose and keep me awake. I went into it enthusiastically
and with humility. I enjoyed the interaction with the folks getting the
new computers and it seemed that I was getting the chance to meet almost
everyone on campus. Three months later, when all of the new laptops were
assigned, I was invited to stay on in an end user support role. I jumped
at it.
Success
Now I spend my days handing out new keyboards, figuring out printing
mysteries and resetting the occasional password. I don't have to touch
servers, go to budget meetings or serve on any kind of planning
committees. I'm never on call. I get to ride to work and back with my
wife and we eat lunch together most days. My job even let me order a new
M3 iMac with maxed out RAM and a big ass hard drive. I have no desire to
be retired again.
