Tom Sightings, author of You Only Retire Once, suggests that new retirees take a gap year before settling in a new place or vocation.

It’s a practice of many young people who spend a year immediately after high school or college traveling, working, maybe volunteering somewhere (often overseas) to gain experience and perspective for the important years to follow.

I like the idea—but a year is too long, and one gap is not enough. I’m thinking of taking gap time—weeks, days or moments—when I interrupt the routine for something completely different.

Because of the experience, because of the perspective and because I can.

Will let you know how it turns out.

And if you decide to take some gap time, I’d like to know your story, too.