Retirement is soon upon me !
While some people make think retirement looks like anything from “Active retirement living on your own terms.” to ” Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”. I didn’t know my grandparents, and my own parents raised their tenth child in their 50’s. Dad retired to care for her and mom finally got out of the house and into the workforce as a realtor. I have a unique plan and I am already putting it into action.
I started planning a while ago. I have begun lists of things to do and things not to do.
To Do
- resume lifelong learning
- nap (scheduled or spontaneous)
- try new things, go to events, participate
- practice kindness (to myself and others)
Not To Do
- waste time being critical
- become preoccupied with looks, aging, keeping up, comparisons
- start new projects without a plan or timeline for completing others/ schedule and review postponed projects. Evaluate to plan effectively.
Clearly these are not complete lists as only a sampling is needed for my purposes here, but lists don’t get things done, perseverance and courage does.
“Great works are not performed by strength but by perseverance.” Samuel Johnson
” The only courage that counts is the the kind that gets you from one moment to the next.” Mignon McLaughlin
I’ve done the kinds of things that most folks do before retiring. I’ve already talked to Social Security, my investment planner, and my spouse. I’ve done things most people do before starting a business. I’ve made a business plan, created a workspace, made a list of prospective clients and contract employees, engaged someone to build my website, investigated insurance and business license needs to start.
These are formalities, but for me, my business will be an extension of myself. I’ll focus creativity and experiences over profits and ego. I’m fortunate insofar as I don’t need the income to sustain myself. I need the engagement and the opportunity to be me. At long last I’ll put myself first.
What do you plan to do when you retire?
(The image at the top of the post is available as a card on etsy.)
Connie has told stories as an actress, playwrite, lyricist and puppeteer all her adult life. Storytelling and Giant Puppets are her plans for her ‘Post retirement’ life! She is working towards earning the Academic Certification at The Storytelling Institute. Connie is in her second semester and has already told stories at local events Storyline, Liar Liar, Dirty Bits, LaMirage, and The Phoenix Writers Group!
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