This is my last week working for a company that I've been associated with for 13 years. A company where I worked under the most incredible mentor ever (that would be you, Linda!). A company where I had the pleasure to work with someone who became a life-saver (that would be you, Bennie!). A company where I will still have friends even after I've gone.
Last week I was asked if I'm feeling sad about leaving the company. My response - "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
Many people think I have been living the dream. No, not yet, but give me time and I will!
My goal was to retire by the age of 55. Guess how old I'll be in December? Yup - 55. I cannot WAIT to get to post-work life and not be tied to my computer all day long for 5 days a week. I have a life to live yet, nobody else can live it for me. And so I intend to get on with it!
Sure, I still need some sort of an income, and I am in the process of figuring out how I will make that happen and STILL HAVE A LIFE. But I have no doubt I will figure it out, and I have a bunch of people laying odds that I will be just fine.
The only thing I will have lost is an income. I did not lose job security (I never had it - it doesn't exist). I have not lost friends, they will still be there (Hi Guys!). I have not lost my health, in fact maybe I will actually have time to take better care of my body (and my mind?).
The most precious thing I will have gained is time. Something that can never be recovered once lost. I want to spend more time with my home, my family (I might even become a grandmother!), my animals, with my passions and hobbies. I want to write, I want to knit, I want to sew, I want to cook. I want to organize. I want to learn. I want to think. I just want to BE.
So many things have been on the back-burner. I will finally have time to putter and do things the way I want to do them. I might finally clear the stuff off the dining room table and keep it off instead of just shoving it into a nearby suitcase or cabinet when people are coming (only to be dragged out again once they leave so I can try and find a permanent place for it).
So I am not sad. I am excited, I am thrilled, I cannot wait for this week to end. Because I have a dream, and nobody can live my dream except me.
10 comments:
there are only a few things in life that i have wanted to do for a long time that didn't disappoint or bore me in the long run. looking at them, they looked really cool (i.e. "i'm HOWEVER, 18 months into retirement and it's just as great as i thought it would be! if i just want to keep reading that book all night....i CAN! if i want to go someplace and do something during the day without having to explain myself to my boss, i CAN! so far, not working really is all it's cracked up to be! so enjoy!
barb at lake chapala
sorry....lost a few lines in the middle of the last post, but i think you get the drift!
I retired 2/05. I dont know how i ever had time to go to work:-)). It's like.......LIVING!! you will love it.
carl/debbie
Congratulations Sue! I know you're going to love it!
I bet you will forever have items on the dining room table!
Ditto what Beck said and the best thing is you will be in the Double Nickel Club. We are a fine group dedicated to 'Ourselves' LOL
Good for you Sue!!!
We all put in a lot of years at our work place and you are so right...We all had a wonderful mentor in Linda and made great friends. You and Bennie are those life time friends to me. The right thing will come your way income wise. I have realized more this last year, there really is more to life than work... it's trying to balance that income. I have never looked back when I left PA to return to Louisiana to rebuild, it was the right decision. I have been kinda out of touch with folks lately, but am okay and have caught back up with your blogs...I didn't keep mine up, many reasons..maybe soon, you are such an inspiration. Take care and enjoy! Jeanie
Sue,
You are taking the leap that I have been thinking about. I too am 55 and could retire anytime. I am just not sure what I would do. I make darn good money and have great benefits so if I have to work I might as well stay where I am for no. Good luck and have a great time figuring out your new life.
Barb - thanks, I did get your drift. Some of the things I mentioned wanting to do are things I used to do but have not had the time over the last few years, so I know I enjoy doing them. And I do not expect to have any problems getting used to 'not working'. Freedom is probably exactly how I've imagined it, and I envy you. :-)
Carl - that's what I always say - I don't have time to work with the life I have here!!
Beck - I will love it.
Anon - Ok, who are you? From your comment, it sounds like you are someone who sort of knows me and knows that I have good intentions about that dining room table. Well, maybe I'll show you...(or maybe you're right...)
Jeanie (Canada) - thanks!
Jeanie (LA) - I need to catch up with you. Bennie gave me your number and I am going to call you after the next couple of weeks. Your story is amazing, I hope you start up your blog again. To anyone here who doesn't know - Jeanie lost her home in New Orleans after Katrina.
Jackie - I guess if I could afford to retire, I'd do it whether or not I could still earn good money. But we all have to do what feels comfortable to us. You'll know when it's your time, I'm sure.
Yep, once you cross over, you can't imagine a life that includes work and life!
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