What time do you go to bed and wake up currently?
The narrative recounts a retired individual’s daily life, characterized by early rising, a morning routine of walks, and pursuits of writing, reading, and photography. Waking around 4:00 A.M., he finds peace in solitude and values quiet reflection despite summer’s humidity and power outages. He prefers a simplistic lifestyle over engagement, contrasting with peers who seek post-retirement activity. His day includes enjoying tea, nurturing a fondness for mangoes, and using technology for daily tasks and news updates. The evening concludes with a simple dinner, followed by late-night introspection and gratitude for life, leading to restful sleep in the stillness of the night.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The narrative depicts a retired individual enjoying a simple daily routine filled with early rising, walks, and hobbies like writing and photography.
- He values solitude and reflection, preferring a quiet life over the busyness sought by many peers after retirement.
- In the humid summer, he finds comfort in his morning walks but faces challenges with power outages affecting his routine.
- He appreciates nature, the changing sky, and enjoys tea with his spouse while adjusting to a sedentary lifestyle after years of work.
- His day concludes with simple meals, late-night reflections, and gratitude for life before restful sleep.
The dawn
As night passed, a new dawn took its place. Gradually but surely, the dawn expanded its wings. The first sign was seen as the sky gets lighter.
lifestyle of an Retired Early riser
A retired person, he usually rises around 4 o’clock in the morning when, after a lull of an hour, darkness gives way to daybreak. Nature begins to stretch, and the bustle of life starts. It was his routine time, which he still follows to this day. His biological clock has set suitably, but with slight intermittent variation and deviations. Sometimes he gets up late, after the sun starts shining, but it is not frequent.
Morning walk
He usually goes for a walk in the morning. Though a routine of a retired early-rising person, it is occasionally skipped due to the health conditions of his spouse. His routines are “controlled” by certain factors, and the health condition of his spouse is one of the most important of them all. Wandering in the freshness of morning charges him for whole of the whole day. Morning is the time when Nature is at its best.
Sultry heat
June had ended. Another sultry and humid month had passed. It was a time of inactivity because of the humid and uncomfortable weather. Days used to be hot with blazing sun, and nights were sultry and humid. The only respite could have been the lone ceiling fan, but irregular and long power cuts didn’t allow it to function. It used to become very uncomfortable during the outage. Walking was not possible during the hot and humid weather. He would circumambulate on the open rooftop when not go out for walks.
On the open terrace
He felt uncomfortable. As usual, the electricity had gone, and so had the fan. He was copiously perspiring. Due to disturbed slumber, sultry weather and resultant discomfort, he went up to the open terrace. There was no respite there, either. The air was still, heavy and humid that made the atmosphere difficult, but being in the open was enough. It was 4:15 AM. He began walking in circles on the roof.
Changing sky
A star-studded sky is now a rare occurrence. For a retired early riser, he had the advantage of looking at the sky. Hardly a few stars were visible in the sky. The horizon had changed from black to lustrous pearl-black. With the receding darkness, stars were gradually vanishing. The eastern side of the sky began changing dramatically to a shade of pink, pre-declaring the arrival of Lord Sun. Small patches of clouds started getting crimson brimlight. Their accentuated look gave a dimension to the sky.
Retired early riser and Beautiful mornjng
Birds started their activities. The symphonic orchestra of Rock pigeons and doves was adding an extra layer of melodious acoustic to the beautiful ambience. All looked good except for the humid and hot weather. Suddenly, a wisp of breeze blew, refreshing the environment. Continuing to walk up on the open terrace in a pensive mood, he intermittently soliloquised. He raised his head and looked at the sky. It had become brightly lit, though the sun had not yet come up on the horizon. With folded hands, he thanked the unseen but most powerful Almighty, for allowing him to watch such a wonderful sight.
Monsoon yet to come
There was a thunderstorm a day before yesterday. For a brief period, it became pleasant, but soon it returned to hot and humid. The monsoon was yet to arrive. The overcast skies lured without pouring.
The skyscape
The skyscape was fast changing with various colourful nephographs. The wind had started blowing gently, easing the humidity. The big crimson rounded heliacal ball amidst the floating clouds looked stunningly beautiful. The whole ambience became eye-catching and a bit soothing. A nature-loving retired early riser could enjoy Nature. He was enjoying and occasionally murmuring in a low hush audible to none but himself.
Teatime for retired early riser
The bell rang. His spouse was calling him downstairs. The tea was ready. After having a glass of tea with biscuits, he rinsed and washed his glass and came to his favourite small room, which he called “study”.
lifestyle in Retired early riser
A hard-working person, his days used to be busy during his service period. He would run on his toes for the whole day. As a retired early riser, he was leading a sedentary life and had no work schedule as such. He was free from work pressures and schedules since his superannuation. Initially is appeared awkward, but gradually he adjusted well with time. He never lamented about the “shortage of time”, nor did he complain about having an excessive workload as his peers would do. Now, when he was relieved from his responsibilities, he was ostensibly free and light.
engagements: Life after retirement
It is nearly impossible to be totally free and feel light till one breathes last. Yet, one can channelise life and energy. Those who like to be in the limelight after they are superannuated, invest their time and energy in getting things that can keep them in the spotlight and “busy”. They exploit their contacts to get an engagement, ranging from exploring possibilities in the political field, to pursuing a favourite hobby. In any case, it is good that they try to keep themselves engaged and involved. It gives them the satisfaction of being productive.
Solitary nature
His conditions were different. He has always been a solitary person who had limited resources. He preferred to lead the rest of his life in oblivion. As a retired early riser, he has enough time to read, write and occasionally take pictures. He doesn’t know about the quality and impact of his writing. The only thing he knows is that it provides him with a way to share his pent-up feelings and experiences with the world.
life after retirement: Hobbies
Photography has always been his hobby. He considers himself an amateur and keeps learning. Down to earth person, as he is, he doesn’t boast about himself. A simple, minimalistic, self-contained and a blend of good and bad, he doesn’t expect much from life. He believes in que sera sera.
Words joined as sentences
Taking out his tablet computer, he started typing. Thoughts in the form of words joined together as sentences, started appearing on the screen. He kept on writing (or typing) whatever came to his mind. He continued with his writing job for about two hours. His hands stopped, but his mind did not. Streams of thoughts continued to pour in, but he stopped for a while. It was 10 AM, and the sun was blazing. The sky was full of drifting patches of white clouds bordered with brown-black colour. Occasional birds were competing with the clouds, soaring high, and they seemed to fly along with the clouds. A light breeze had started, though it was easterly, which did not help in lowering the humidity level. Sitting under the fan, he kept staring at the sky.
Student of life sciences
Returning to himself after a while, he gazed at the bookshelf and pulled out a book. It was a book on Indian Philosophy. After scanning the book with his eyes, he started reading it. He had been a student of life science but was equally keen on Philosophy, history, and culture. Not an expert but he likes to know and tries to understand them. He never considered himself an expert, but people often consult him and want to have his views on any topic of general interest and service matters. He renders according to his knowledge and experience. His experience in service, nonetheless, was not cursory unlike that of others.
Daily drill: life after retirement
He lives in his house alone with his spouse. They occasionally have tiffs, which is natural and found in every relationship, but both are caring. He glanced at his wristwatch. It was 11:55 AM. Closing his book, he went downstairs to take up his routine freshening-up drill. After having a refreshing bath, he felt good. The heat subsided, and the fan appeared cooler than usual.
Mangoes: all time favourite
Mangoes have lured him since childhood. He is deeply fond of mangoes and enjoys eating them. He never says no to mangoes. After taking a bath and relaxing for a while, his spouse informed him that the mangoes were ready. He enjoyed eating mangoes with a glassful of milk and lay down on the bed and gradually fell asleep. After his siesta was over, he woke up at about 3:30 PM.
Computer and retired early riser
He seldom watches TV but keeps himself abreast of the happenings of the country and the world. He checks the news and updates daily on the computer and watches detailed news reports on the same device late at night. The computer is his essential gadget, which helps him ease out his routine work and writing. He used to clear all his bills, perform on-line purchase and learn things. It is difficult to imagine life without a computer and smartphone. In the technology-driven Era, computers play a crucial role in making payments, purchasing, and ticket booking, as well as entertainment. Things have become easy, fast and transparent now. (Bestdaypsych)
Day’s end
His day doesn’t end even after midnight when he and his spouse) take dinner. The dinner is frugal and very simple The plate holds two “Chapati” (flat bread cooked on a flat iron plate known as “Tavฤ”), “Dal” (lentils, finely cooked and tempered) and some vegetables cooked dry. While dining news reports run on his computer. After the food is over, he washes his plate, brushes his teeth and sits to watch some content of his interest on the computer.
Quiet but mysterious night
As the stillness of night deepens, he finishes his daily chores and prepares to sleep. The night becomes quiet, darkness deepens and glowing street lights illuminate the roads. Except for the intermittent barking of dogs and occasional shrill sirens of police patrol vans, the whole ambience appears to be taking a rest. Itvis the romanticism of silky darkness and night. It amuses, arouse sensation and suspense.
Wrapping up
He closes his computer, wraps up its paraphernalia, and packs them up to keep them safe upstairs in the “study”. After finishing it all, he switches off the light and sinks into deep sleep. More often than not, he diligently thanks the Almighty for everything.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores lifeโs deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Natureโs Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200โ1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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