What I really miss in retirement

Being apart of team trying to do something great

I use to think exercising with mates is what I missed most about footy.

But recently I realised it’s being apart of a team that’s trying to do something great, and that one of the greatest joy’s in life is being apart of something greater than yourself.

And I know this to be true because I’ve had an underlying sense of angst ever since I retired.

But whenever we have a

Running for Resilience

meeting and discuss how we’re gonna make Canberra suicide free, I feel at peace.

I also felt the same on the weekend in Echuca at a Travla team catch up.

I know we’re just selling beer and that alcohol can ruin peoples lives.

But I think Travla has an opportunity to make Australia’s drinking culture healthier, and I’m excited to be apart of a team trying to do that.

So excited that it makes me think a lot of mental health issues come from people wanting to be stars of their own show, which causes loneliness because their so focused on themselves that they miss opportunities to connect with others.

Or perhaps they do want to be part of a team/community etc, but haven’t found the right one.

One where they feel they can be themselves and fit in easily.

Anyways, that last idea isn’t well thought out and I should write about it more.

But whether it’s a team, community or family, being apart of something is greater than yourself is so important for health and happiness, and to quote Apple founder Steve Jobs:

If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together.

I want to go far, and think many people are trying to go fast. Which is making them miserable because they aren’t slowing down long enough to connect.

Note: ran out of time this week, but still wanted to post even though it’s short as a reminder to myself that not every post needs to be perfect.