Not a virtuous hobby? Guilt?

When I first retired and DH was still working, I used to leave a duster and a tin of polish lying around for when he came home to imply I had been working. Not that he cares, he doesn't!

I don't get guilt from my time reading because of DH doing outside things. But I punish myself for it because I know I should be 'moving around'. There is guilt everywhere in my life/mind.

I taught full time for 34 years and brought up two children almost single handed due to the DH being out from 7a.m. to 7p.m. and then wanting my attention and a meal when he returned.

Since retiring (at 55) I have looked after a largish house and garden: cleaned, gardened, maintained, decorated, cooked and ironed. I support the rest of the family and do much running around on their behalf from shopping, collecting ordered items and following up requests to house hunting and viewing.

I am incredibly busy in the mornings and, when I knock off the domestic servitude, I consider my time my own. I walk, read, bake and potter and often I fit in a cheeky nap. I do not feel in the slightest bit guilty.

Did my weeding , read the forum , drank coffee , put on the breadmaker ................ now off to do an online jigsaw Thanks everyone

I feel no obligation to do housework or cook to please anyone else! I clean when it annoys me that things look a bit very much in need of cleaning. I cook because I like to. If I do not feel like it I fish something out of the freezer of pay for a take away!

My husband had no concerns about feeling guilty, as he sits and watches tv, while I am painting the ceiling!!!

i am semi-retired and OH is self employed very full time - I am trying hard to learn not to feel guilty enjoying myself rather than helping him.
We must 'try harder'!

Mr P is of the mind that sleeping late in the morning or sitting about reading in the afternoon is wasting the day so he potters about in the house or the garden weather permitting. He likes routine. He's happy.
I am of the persuasion that rest and relaxation is good for mental health. I am happy......but have to admit to feeling a little guilty when caught watching Escape to the Country in the afternoon, no idea why. I do my fair share but not to a routine We've rubbed along happily for 49 years so, as previously stated, opposites must attract.

I am online now previously read the paper whilst I ate my lunch. Morning spent volunteering and doing errands in town before I drove home. I live on my own so no need to feel guilty. I still work part time so feel the rest of my time is mind to do as I please. And all the family are coming for tea tonight so won’t be idle later

Mine not mind

I do all the housework, cooking, washing etc and all the gardening. I am really annoyed when I look through the window and see DH sat all day looking at music for his guitar on the computer. He says he loves the garden but only mows one lawn once a fortnight or so with an electric mower while I do everything else.

I am really annoyed when I look through the window and see DH sat all day looking at music for his guitar on the computer

That's what I mean LuckyFour. I don't sleep much (don't seem to need it fortunately) and do what has to be done around the house. I am lucky because OH does his fair share too. He sleeps like a log so has much more energy than I do.

I think the guilt comes from ploughing my own furrow for so long. I was a single working mother for much of my life and if I didn't do it, things (including decorating, gardening, washing the car etc) didn't get done. Now life is easier, I seem to be slacking off, but isn't that what retirement is all about?

OH had to go to the bank earlier. I had made us lunch then I sat down to peruse my favourite sites and catch up with the news online. OH blew me a kiss goodbye on his way out. I DID brazen it out and was still in my armchair on my laptop when he came back.

If this had been years ago, when I was married, if I'd been reading a book when husband came home I'd have got up (with my pinny on) and sprayed some polish around and gone into the kitchen so I was on my feet. Completely daft guilt.

We are travelling up the motorway later on today to babysit DGS until about midnight, so I am conserving my energy. Not that I need excuses....

My feeling guilty days are over, as someone else said we are old enough to do what we want with our time.It seems to work for us too.