I don’t want to be at work. I want to be outside in the sun. I want my feet in the water. I want deep breaths. I want my hair down instead of tucked in a hard hat that squeezes my head. I want to choose exactly who I spend my time with, who has access to me, whose energy ricochets around mine.
This is lovely - I hope somehow you can save the first part to read again when you are hopefully, retired at about 70. It reminded me how blessed I am now, even though I worked very hard for many years, persons my age are just beginning to retire now. I miss some aspects of work, and like you blessed to have a few jobs I loved. Some of my fellow retirees found out they do like working after all, but I am enjoying being creative even if it’s just me and a paint brush, and not the creativity and dynamics of lighting and working with directors, creative teams and crews. The pandemic closed our doors as well, but now many are working hard to recovery, but also with new outlooks, values and reflections that life, and even breathing, is precious., and time is wonderful to have, and to listen to your heart and body when you can - gifts. You always word things so well - I hope and pray you find all you wish for and more.
Cathie, I am so glad you are having time for your creativity because you are so wildly creative! I hope I got to see more of what you make. ❤️ And thank you for your encouragement, as always.
I resonate with all of this. I'm trying to re-build a life that honors me and my soul. After the unexpected end to my 27 year relationship, I've been diving deep. Excavating. Grieving. Re-doing. I wrote and published a book, I'm making art. I'm living on faith and belief in myself and the Universe conspiring for me. Wishing you the best. ❤️
I am SO glad I stumbled across this post. Thank you! Such a powerful piece of writing, full of wisdom. I retired from paid employment at 50. I was in the fortunate position with my husband that he loves his work and was happy to continue but what I really wanted, and needed, was time. You can't have time and money so I gave up the income. We need to free ourselves from the story that life is about getting a good education in order to get a good (well paid!) job. It's heartbreaking to think of the countless people trapped in situations with limited choices or opportunities to live a life that enriches them.
Totally agree! I am so glad you're able to have the time you need, Carolyn! It sounds divine. And good on you for making that a priority for yourself. ❤️
I’m at home with my kids this summer, and it has been fun to watch them play and just follow their interests, with no agenda. Why would we want anything less?
This resonates LOUDLY. Thank you for articulating it so perfectly. As a teacher, I put pressure on myself in the summer to make these experiences happen. It makes me mad that such a thing is nearly impossible. Like scheduling a nap. If you need an alarm to wake from a nap, is it even worth it?
Beautiful writing. I retired at 59. Before that I worked really hard - 60 hour weeks as a teacher. Mostly I loved it but it broke me in the end and I didn’t want to do it anymore. Something wrong with the system there. Now I do a bit of mentoring freelance of teachers but otherwise I do the things I want to do - many of them are on you list. I hope you get to do those things too.
This is lovely - I hope somehow you can save the first part to read again when you are hopefully, retired at about 70. It reminded me how blessed I am now, even though I worked very hard for many years, persons my age are just beginning to retire now. I miss some aspects of work, and like you blessed to have a few jobs I loved. Some of my fellow retirees found out they do like working after all, but I am enjoying being creative even if it’s just me and a paint brush, and not the creativity and dynamics of lighting and working with directors, creative teams and crews. The pandemic closed our doors as well, but now many are working hard to recovery, but also with new outlooks, values and reflections that life, and even breathing, is precious., and time is wonderful to have, and to listen to your heart and body when you can - gifts. You always word things so well - I hope and pray you find all you wish for and more.
Cathie, I am so glad you are having time for your creativity because you are so wildly creative! I hope I got to see more of what you make. ❤️ And thank you for your encouragement, as always.
I resonate with all of this. I'm trying to re-build a life that honors me and my soul. After the unexpected end to my 27 year relationship, I've been diving deep. Excavating. Grieving. Re-doing. I wrote and published a book, I'm making art. I'm living on faith and belief in myself and the Universe conspiring for me. Wishing you the best. ❤️
Wishing you the best too, Jenifer. It sounds like you are rebuilding in the most true and beautiful way. I admire you.
Thank you. ❤️
I wish all of those things for you Stephanie. I bet you will make many of them happen.
I am SO glad I stumbled across this post. Thank you! Such a powerful piece of writing, full of wisdom. I retired from paid employment at 50. I was in the fortunate position with my husband that he loves his work and was happy to continue but what I really wanted, and needed, was time. You can't have time and money so I gave up the income. We need to free ourselves from the story that life is about getting a good education in order to get a good (well paid!) job. It's heartbreaking to think of the countless people trapped in situations with limited choices or opportunities to live a life that enriches them.
Totally agree! I am so glad you're able to have the time you need, Carolyn! It sounds divine. And good on you for making that a priority for yourself. ❤️
I’m at home with my kids this summer, and it has been fun to watch them play and just follow their interests, with no agenda. Why would we want anything less?
Exactly! I love to hear that your summer is full of the good stuff. ❤️
This resonates LOUDLY. Thank you for articulating it so perfectly. As a teacher, I put pressure on myself in the summer to make these experiences happen. It makes me mad that such a thing is nearly impossible. Like scheduling a nap. If you need an alarm to wake from a nap, is it even worth it?
Right?!?
Beautiful writing. I retired at 59. Before that I worked really hard - 60 hour weeks as a teacher. Mostly I loved it but it broke me in the end and I didn’t want to do it anymore. Something wrong with the system there. Now I do a bit of mentoring freelance of teachers but otherwise I do the things I want to do - many of them are on you list. I hope you get to do those things too.
You are so right that there is something wrong with the system. I'm glad you've found fulfillment then and now. ❤️
This truly spoke to my soul. Amazed at how everything I've been feeling lately has been put to words here.