Still working elders
Writing Corner May-June 2023 Developing Systems
Sharing Stories
April 28, 2023 at 4:41 p.m.
Working in elder years is a pleasure I always looked forward to having.
...by Ariele M. Huff
Developing Systems
As a 73-year-old woman, I’ve recognized the need to develop many systems for health, finances, and socializing.
As a lifelong writer and writing teacher, I’ve been developing systems for those careers since I began them.
From early on, I realized that my “night owl” proclivity worked well for my jobs. Put the kids to bed, give last feedings to animals, lock up the house, turn off lights, prepare the kitchen for use in the morning. Then, spend some time with my husband…talking or whatever we please. 😊 Once everyone else has nodded off, I go to my office and take advantage of the reality that my most prolific writing time is from 10pm to 3am.
For students, clients, friends who are “morning birds,” I recommend rising before others by an hour or two or waiting until they leave for school and work.
It was amusing and satisfying when I awoke to the reality that I could stop doing that and return to my methods of having undisturbed work time.
In my late fifties, I welcomed a system I’ve called slenderizing which worked like this: I’d become aware that I was feeling too busy. At the point where the joy in my work started to sap, I’d look carefully at all my job commitments and select one or more to delete or just to give less time to. This also is a continuing practice.
At 72, my attention was drawn to not having every word I wanted just as I wanted it. Quel dommage! (Translated by some as meaning “What a pity.” I like the image of “What a damage!”)
My system for this was to write those words and phrases, first on a small piece of paper on my monitor stand.
There are many other smaller systems like how I save my published pieces (in notebooks filled with plastic sheet holders or file drawers) or find information for articles (interviews and reliable sources) or research for my fiction (find more than one source to fill out story-contemporary setting, plot, characterization, philosophical, or dialogue issues), or put a rolled pillow in the middle of my back while I work, and so forth.
Doing this column has been educative. I’ve continued using all of these systems once they were begun. And, I think, have generated new ones as they’ve been needed. I’m congratulating myself on doing this work-necessary filtering of what I decide is the best for me and my career.
I’d love to have you join me in an online or ZOOM class sometime.
SHARING STORIES is featured on www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. The newspaper can be found in the greater Seattle area and other Puget Sound locations. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" in the search function above.
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