Retirement gives you something you don’t fully appreciate until you’re in it: slow days you control.
But as someone who still likes being productive—even if only in small doses—I’ve learned the key is making money without rebuilding the stress I worked decades to escape.
That’s where my motto comes in: slow days, smart hustles.
I’m still creating content, building small projects, and experimenting with online income… but all at a gentle pace that fits the retired life.
Here’s what a real day looks like for me, and how I balance productivity with calm.
☀️ 5:00 AM: My Early Morning Rhythm
No alarm. No rush.
Yet most mornings I’m awake around 5:00 AM—probably because I proudly go to bed earlier than most toddlers.
I make my coffee, settle into my chair, and ease into the day.
This is when I:
- check analytics
- read comments
- brainstorm short and long-form content ideas
- think about whatever I’m building next
- and—very often—consult with ChatGPT on my entire Retired and Trying project
Some retirees read newspapers.
I collaborate with AI before sunrise.
Honestly, it’s become such a normal part of my routine that my grandson recently told me I’m the “techiest grandpa he’s ever seen.”
I take that as a compliment.
📞 Daily Coffee Chats With My Brother
Almost every morning, I talk with my older brother, who lives in Pennsylvania.
He’s ten years ahead of me in life and retirement—and the official family boomer historian.
Our conversations cover:
- politics
- retirement thoughts
- generational humor
- old stories
- new aches
- and whatever the world is arguing about today
We laugh constantly. It’s become one of the best parts of my morning routine.
Two or three days a week, I also take my grandson to high school before our call. It’s a simple routine, but it keeps me connected to his world—and honestly, I love being part of his mornings.
🤖 Mid-Morning: Consulting With My “Digital Business Partner”
After family time, I move back into my peaceful productivity window.
A large part of my day—most days—involves hopping into ChatGPT to:
- refine blog posts
- draft YouTube scripts
- create video details
- brainstorm product ideas
- work on the website I’m selling
- improve SEO
- or just get clarity on the next step in the journey
It’s like having a business assistant who never sleeps and doesn’t mind being asked 50 questions before lunch.
💻 Smart Hustle Time: Small Steps, No Stress
Mid-morning is when I work on the things that quietly move the needle.
Working on the website I’m preparing to sell
Polishing content, improving layout, updating posts, checking formatting—it’s surprisingly relaxing.
Creating or planning new content
Some posts and video ideas come from comments.
Some come during coffee.
Some come while driving my grandson or talking with my brother.
Topics like “What Nobody Warns You About Downsizing” or “The 7 Surprising Ways a Side Hustle Makes Retirement Better” often start right here.
Budgeting & income check-ins
Even the tiny numbers matter:
Amazon earnings: a few dollars.
Books: a couple more.
Merch: sometimes $29 (and yes, sometimes that’s me).
Small progress still counts.
🧹 Early Afternoon: Life Stuff + B-Roll Moments
Afternoons are intentionally lighter.
I might:
- run errands
- do housework
- take a walk
- film B-roll of everyday life—coffee, typing, cooking, working on a blog
These little clips give my videos a personal touch. Real life is the brand.
And throughout the day, ideas pop into my head, so I hop back into ChatGPT whenever I need help shaping a script or refining a sentence.
🛠 Late Afternoon: Gentle Focus Work
This is when I do my quietest, calmest work.
I might:
- write a blog post
- update my website
- edit shorts
- outline long videos
- check analytics
- refine whatever I planned with ChatGPT that morning
The golden rule stays the same:
If it feels stressful, I step away.
Retirement hustles should never feel like actual work.
🧠 The Mindset: Peace First, Productivity Second
The deeper I get into retirement, the more obvious it becomes:
I didn’t retire to stop doing things—I retired to stop doing stressful things.
My rules are simple:
1. Small, consistent steps beat frantic big ones.
Slow progress is still progress.
2. Protect peace at all costs.
If a project makes my shoulders tense, it’s not worth it.
3. Let energy dictate the pace.
Some days I’m productive.
Some days I’m a full-time coffee enthusiast.
Both are acceptable.
4. Enjoy the challenge, not the speed.
There’s no race in retirement.
5. Hustle because it’s fun, not because you have to.
That is the freedom of this stage of life.
🌙 Evenings: Slowing Down for Good
Evenings are simple and calm.
Maybe I read.
Maybe I plan ideas for tomorrow.
Maybe I sit back and appreciate how far this “Retired and Trying” journey has come.
And many nights, I reflect on what I worked on with ChatGPT throughout the day—because those little collaborative moments often shaped the entire day’s progress.
Final Thoughts: Slow Days Still Build Something Strong
Retirement is not about stopping—it’s about choosing.
Choosing calm mornings.
Choosing meaningful work.
Choosing projects that spark interest, not stress.
Choosing slow days and smart hustles.
Whether I’m building content, selling a website, running numbers, posting videos, or just being the “techiest grandpa” my grandson has ever met… I’m still growing. Just at a pace that feels right.
If you’re also retired and trying, remember:
Your pace is valid.
Your progress is real.
Your peace matters more than productivity.
And if all you managed today was coffee, conversation, and a few creative steps—you’re doing great.