It appears I need a little work in my life. I was good at my job, and being good at something and getting paid for it gave me satisfaction. Now I’m doing what I love, mostly writing and playing golf, and neither one is fun if you have high expectations.
On a bright note, I also love to walk and have the whole one foot in front of the other thing mastered.
Many retirees still work. Sometimes you need the money, and sometimes you need validation beyond what you do for pleasure. Perhaps it’s up to each individual to define what retirement means to them. My definition is evolving.
I don’t want to work full-time if I can help it. I’ve saved a solid nest egg, but in addition to validation, it turns out I also like money coming in. I confess – even though I’ve written about changing my relationship with money – it is unsettling to see my checking account with no regular deposits.
As a communications professional, public relations work and writing are a good fit. After all, this was my career for 38 years, and I wasn’t quite ready to chuck it all. I just wanted a different lifestyle – not to be a slave to the job. More balance, more leisure. A chance to try different things and see what sticks.
So far, I’ve done a bit of consulting for a PR firm, and I like it. Writing this blog keeps me in the game, and what I’ve learned about social media platforms such as Instagram makes my brain hurt. As a wannabe cannabis advocate, I find this new world so interesting and am eager to learn more.
Engaging with the world on different terms is fun and exciting. But no lie, it’s hard to put yourself out there and risk personal failure or public indifference. It’s safer to retreat. But if we don’t try new things, the results are obvious. Nada. Trying at least opens the window of opportunity.
A bit of challenging work coupled with a relaxed lifestyle feels sort of perfect. I’ve thought about playing golf four or five times a week and calling it a day. But there are few psychological rewards for those of us who are addicted to the game but pretty much suck at it. Also, what if I became disabled? As we age, I think it’s important to mix the intellectual with the physical so no matter what happens, we can still have meaningful and relevant interests.
I’m planning to expand my consulting business, perhaps adding a client or two. Not enough work to ruin the bliss of retirement, but I just can’t stand the thought of going away quietly. I’ve always lived my life thinking about infinite possibilities for both work and pleasure, and I love thinking the best thing yet might be just around the corner.
Hi Donna! Thank you for sharing. As a recent “plug puller” (can’t quite call it retirement yet), I am finally setting my sights on something else as well. I am researching board positions. Ideally, they’d pay. But to get my foot in the game, I’ll likely have to start with non profits/not-for-profits. My feeling is something akin to yours – I have more to give. I just want it on my terms. Is that so much to ask?! 😉
Jean — I think we can do it! I like what you said — more to give but on our terms. Let’s figure this out.
This is so on the mark that I feel like you wrote it for me. Great to see you recently for the induction of a former colleague into the retiree/semi-retiree club. Love your blogs!
Thanks, Lynn! It was great to see you, too. I’m still trying to figure it out, so I may need your sage counsel.