Brief Summary
This video features a monologue of a retired man who is seeking to fill a void in his life after the loss of his wife and the initial novelty of retirement wearing off. He expresses his desire for connection, challenge, and a sense of purpose. He discovers a flyer for a senior intern position at an e-commerce company and decides to apply, seeing it as an opportunity to re-engage with life, learn new skills, and feel needed again.
- Retirement challenges and loneliness
- Seeking purpose and connection
- Applying for a senior internship
Introduction
The speaker begins by referencing Freud's assertion that love and work are the essence of life. He reflects on his retirement and the death of his wife, which has left him with ample time and a void in his life. He acknowledges missing his wife deeply and describes retirement as a continuous effort requiring creativity.
The Struggles of Retirement
Initially, he enjoyed the novelty of retirement, using saved miles to travel the world. However, upon returning home, he was struck by a sense of aimlessness. He realized the importance of staying active and leaving the house to combat this feeling, establishing a routine of visiting Starbucks every morning.
Filling the Void
The man describes his attempts to fill his time with various activities such as golf, reading, movies, pinochle, yoga, cooking, plants, and Mandarin classes. He also mentions attending numerous funerals and traveling to San Diego to visit his son and his family. While he loves his family, he admits to relying on them more than he should. Despite not being unhappy, he recognizes a void in his life that needs to be filled.
Discovering the Internship Opportunity
The speaker found a flyer advertising a senior intern position at an internet company. The advertisement specifies that applicants must be over 65, possess organizational skills, have a genuine interest in e-commerce, and have a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude. The company is identified as an e-commerce business located in Red Hook that sells clothes online.
Applying for the Internship
The man explains his reasons for applying to the internship, emphasizing his desire for a daily routine, connection, excitement, and challenge. He also expresses a need to feel needed. He acknowledges potential difficulties with the technology involved, mentioning that he had to ask his grandson about USB connectors. He highlights his loyalty, trustworthiness, and ability to handle crises, emphasizing his lifelong connection to Brooklyn and his desire to stay relevant. He concludes by stating that he still has "music" in him, referencing a quote about musicians not retiring until they lose their passion.
