Tuesday, June 15, 2010

It's not retirement. It's just not working at my career job any more, after next week. There are too many other possibilities for my life, and I'm ready to get started.

I made some schedule changes today. Moved a 40-hour class in basic mediation from August to November. Moved a four-day trip to Whistler from August to July. Reserved rooms at a water park resort instead of Disneyland. I could do all those things, because I'll no longer be bound by the number of vacation days taken and available. Such freedom!

I look at my calendar and see multiple trips - to San Antonio, Alaska, Maine, Italy, Utah and Mexico. When we're at home I see a daily commitment to an online ESL class. To nurturing the garden. To mowing our lawn instead of having a yard guy do it. To looking for the best self-publishing option for a piece I wrote in 2006 about returning with my husband Art to Vietnam in a journey of reconciliation and healing. To spending time with my grandchildren besides over long weekends. To reading and napping and chatting with neighbors.

Clearly, ending my career is not retiring from life. Anything but. I expect to be busier, more engaged in my life, now that it's so much more of my own choosing.

Earlier this year I spent time worrying about money, now that I won't be earning it. Somehow it's worked out, or it will. I think my Bag Lady fears grew from the grand expanse of the Unknown. What happens the first Monday after my worklife ends? Anything? Or everything?


7 comments:

Mary Christine said...

Sounds wonderful. Maybe I will see you on one of these trips!

rachel... said...

Sounds like EVERYTHING! I'm excited for you!

Tabitha Bird said...

Oooh... everything! I think everything happens! Enjoy. :)

Teresa Evangeline said...

You have the field of infinite possibilities opening up to you. How fun! I would love to read of your trip to Vietnam. Have you checked out blurb.com, a good self-pushing option?

Linda Myers said...

Teresa, I can send you the sections of the VietNam piece - only the pics are online so far. Need an email address or something.

Teresa Evangeline said...

teresaevangeline@yahoo.com I look forward. Thank you!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Wow, it's exciting that you are getting so close to the end of the daily grind! I'm getting close, too. I'm working half-time now, will work only from home starting Sept. 1, and will retire in December. But like you, I have a gajillion other projects to take the place of my job. It will be fun to watch your transition!