Daily writing prompt

Who do you spend the most time with?

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Hello dear friends,
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood.

Today’s writing prompt stirred a deep thought within me—“Who do you spend the most time with?”

It seems like a simple question, but when I thought about it, the answer showed me a lot about my life after retirement.

When I was working in the banking sector, my days were defined by deadlines, documents, and duties.

My time was measured in meetings and tasks. I had no luxury to ponder over this question. Time belonged to the clock, not to me.

But now, after retirement, I find myself in a very different landscape. The calendar still turns, but it doesn’t shout anymore. It whispers.

And with this silence, I have been blessed with the freedom to spend time as per my desire.

Yet, managing this freedom hasn’t been as easy as it may sound. It is, in fact, one of the most challenging tasks—balancing physical health, mental well-being, and meaningful use of time.

The Companion in the Mirror

So, who do I really spend the most time with?
It might surprise you, but the answer is myself.😊😊

In the quiet hours of the morning, when I sip my green tea and watch the sun rise, I’m not in a rush. I sit with my thoughts, my memories, my dreams, and sometimes, my regrets.

This solitary companionship has become the foundation of my inner growth.

Post-retirement, I’ve realized that the relationship I have with myself is the most significant one. It’s the only relationship that has walked with me through every season of life. So, I decided to nurture it like never before.

Embracing Creativity and Curiosity

To make my companionship more exciting, I embraced the passions that once waited patiently on the backseat.

🎨 Painting:
My brushes and colors became my new friends. They listen without judgment, and help me express emotions that words cannot capture.

✍️ Writing:
My blog—retiredkalam.com—has become a space where I share my reflections, poems, and stories. It gives shape to the scattered clouds of thought in my mind.

💃 Dancing & Music:
With my beloved partner, we often enjoy slow dances in our living room—laughing like children, breathing life into each step.

These joyful moments strengthen our bond and nourish my soul.

Staying Connected with Loved Ones

Although I spend significant time alone, I never let myself become isolated. I deeply value the companionship of my family, especially my cherished granddaughter.

Her innocent questions, mischievous giggles, and the sparkle in her eyes light up my world in ways words can’t describe.

Through video calls, coffee dates, and weekend visits, I stay connected with friends and extended family. These interactions ground me and remind me that I am part of something larger.

Investing in Physical and Mental Health

After retirement, I learned the importance of consciously allocating time to health and self-care.

🧘 Morning walks, breathing in the freshness of nature, are my daily ritual. The chirping birds and rustling leaves bring clarity to my thoughts.

📚 Reading books, from fiction to philosophy, keeps my mind engaged and my curiosity alive.

💪 Light exercises and yoga help me maintain physical fitness. Without good health, time loses its charm.

I firmly believe that maintaining a healthy routine is the secret to enjoying solitude without slipping into loneliness.

The Battle with Time

Yes, the freedom of retirement is precious. But it comes with the responsibility of using it wisely.

There have been days when I felt lost, unproductive, or even purposeless. That’s when I realized the need to structure my days without becoming rigid.

Creating a flexible daily schedule, setting small goals—like finishing a painting, writing a blog post, or learning something new—gives me a sense of purpose.

It brings balance to the mental and emotional rollercoaster that time can sometimes become.

The Gift of Self-Companionship

So, in answering the question, “Who do you spend the most time with?”—my answer is me. And it’s a beautiful journey.

Spending time with oneself doesn’t mean isolation. It means growth. It means healing. It means discovering the parts of you that got buried under responsibilities and routine.

Dear reader, I encourage you to ask yourself the same question. And if your answer isn’t what you hoped, maybe today is the day to begin the change.

We all deserve to be our own best companions.

With a heart full of gratitude,
—Vijay Verma 😊
Living, learning, and creating—one joyful day at a time.

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Life, #mental health, #thoughts, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1962, featured, health, writing