Have you ever felt that maybe you are so far ahead of the curve that other people can’t fathom what you are doing? I get that a lot these days. We live in a small community and typically bump into former customers of ours at the post office, in the grocery store or just out on the street. It is no big secret that we closed our business that sat in the centre of the downtown core. We did not keep quiet as to why we were closing our business (internet, changes in our industry, the economy) but still the first thing we usually get asked is, “So how is retirement treating you?”
I tend to like explaining that we didn’t really retire at all and then launch into some of the details on what we are doing. But when I really take a hard look at what our third quarter transition has become, we have retired – to a point. I’m still working full-time but now as a freelance writer. It has given me a ton of flexibility that I didn’t have before. There are days we will just go out of town for something to do and have no set schedule. It’s a nice feeling to be able to basically do what we want, when we want. My wife, Brenda, is not working full-time and very likely never will. She has a couple of different part-time things she is doing that have been very lucrative in that they give her a ton of flexibility. They also produce a favourable cash flow when we focus on them. We are very much enjoying the different pace in our lives and reduction in stress and are really starting to settle into our new semi-retired lives. I am getting a little more involved in volunteer work to help keep me in social circles and Brenda is seeking social activities for the same reason. When I look at our midlife career changes to date, I think it is fair to say that we have most definitely at least dipped our toes into retirement – as much as I may cringe at the thought of retirement. Don’t get me wrong, I see nothing negative in that, it’s just that I don’t really see myself actually becoming a full-time retired person anytime soon. Even if it appears as if I am to those around us who don’t see us as regularly as they used to when we had a business on the main street. What also makes me sort of resist the whole idea of early retirement is that I am still able and quite capable of working in my 50’s and beyond. Plus, with changes in attitudes in the corporate world resulting from the massive amount of aging Baby Boomers, there will always be places for us ‘seniors’ to work if we want to. This generation’s third quarter transition replaced last generation’s full retirement and I’m quite okay with being part of the trend. For more information on how to make a midlife career change, check out my eBook titled, “Surviving Midlife Career Changes.” It is available at Amazon for just $1.99 USD.
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AuthorMy name is George Elliott. I have been in the Media Industry since 1978. I spent 23 years in Broadcasting and worked in a total of six different radio stations located in southern British Columbia Canada during my career. In 2000 I switched gears and moved into the Print Media Industry at a small town, local weekly newspaper. In 2004 I bought the paper and operated it with my wife, Brenda until July 2016 when we closed it. I launched a freelance web content and article writing business from my home in January 2014. Archives
April 2021
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