Writing My Way Through Retirement

(Personal Piece)

Everyone’s vision of retirement is different — Unique only to them. Tell me if I’m wrong, but for most people, the one thing the word retirement brings to mind is freedom. Even the word freedom conjures up a different picture in our minds. For me, after almost two years, the word has many meanings.

Here are a few of mine…

Freedom looks like traveling from one side of the country to the other, towing a huge-ass RV mind you, to welcome my fourth grandchild into the world. And she’s the sweetest little cowgirl I’ve ever seen. Ya, I’m biased. — Been there, done that.

Freedom looks like traveling to Germany to the long-awaited wedding of my nephew (that’s how I think of him), technically my husband’s cousin’s son, or whatever his title should be. In my heart, he’s my third son. — Been there, done that.

Freedom looks a lot like traveling through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, eating spaghetti carbonara, and drinking amazing bottles of Sangiovese along the way. — Been there, done that.

Freedom looks like or maybe tastes like, a life-changing first bite of Turkish ice cream in Istanbul while taking in the majesty of the Blue Mosque from Sultanhmet Square. — Been there, done that.

Freedom looks like being awestruck by the view of Santorini at night, all lit up, from a ship on the Mediterranean. Top of the bucket list experience right there. Cover Photo for life, only after the “Oh, shit, I need a photo!” moment cuz I was caught up in all the feels and reality of a dream come true. — Been there, done that.

Freedom looks like a huge collection of magnets on the fridge from all the memorable spots on that cross-country journey and the five European countries I explored. I think my favorite is from Greece. — Been there, done that. 

Freedom looks like waking up to a breathtaking sunrise in -8-degree weather and snow-covered fields in Central Oregon and falling asleep to the sound of June Bugs in Germany as the sun sets brilliantly. — Been there, done that.

Freedom looks like hiking to a raging waterfall — at noon — on a weekday — because I can. And on that same hike, laughing at a playful river otter who was appropriately named Otto by my granddaughter. — Been there, done that.

Freedom looks like the big smiling faces of all my grandchildren and their squeals of delight, calling “Oma, Oma, Oma!” They’re my favorite little humans in the world. — Been there, done that — and will do over and over.

But, freedom also looks like…

Revisiting parts of yourself you put on a shelf. I’m resurrecting my love of words, with the exception of a few that give me the heebie-jeebies. Like, I can’t even write them cuz I hear them in my head. Okay, m**st. — Yuck!!

Putting words on a page, aka, writing, was one of my first passions, but I took a decades-long break. I dabbled from time to time, but not on the regular, and certainly not to share with others unless I was compelled to for some crazy reason.

For me, writing equals processing. It’s gotten me through tragedy, joy, and sadness in a way that helped me revisit emotions, so I could deal and heal. You should see my “writings” folder on my laptop. —I think you’d agree, I’ve been through some shit.

If you’re not a writer, what picture comes to mind when you hear the word? I’m here to tell you, it’s messy. It’s not the disciplined 9 to 5, coffee break, earning PTO vibe. It’s the, “I gotta write this down” at 5 am vibe. It’s the “bathrobe and messy bun” at 5 pm vibe. It’s the “gin and tonic in a coffee mug” vibe. It’’s a “can’t see the screen anymore” vibe. Ultimately, it’s a “what the hell am I doing?” vibe. 

Many people in my life have begged me to write a book, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started and stopped, but time, or lack of it, kept me hostage.
That and a lack of discipline, to be honest. So, is there a book in my future? — I don’t know.

So, here’s what I DO know…

Alongside writing for myself, I’m writing for others these days. That may not mean what you think it means. You’ll never see my name on a by-line — because it’s someone else’s thoughts, someone else’s voice, and someone else’s message. I’ve written some pretty stellar pieces that I’m really proud of, but you’re gonna have to take my word for it.

By writing for professional peeps in the brain health and wellness niche, I go to sleep at night knowing I’ve given someone somewhere the hope they need. I guess you could say I’m a hope dealer. I know I know, that was cheesy — my bad! I would go into all the logistics of copy and ghostwriting, but your head might spin around like my husband’s did, so I’ll spare you the agony. Seriously though, crafting copy that prompts people to reach out for help is pretty damn rewarding.

While I am writing for other people, I still have the freedom to write when I want. You may think I’m just putting myself back into the “work” box, but like I said, freedom looks different for everyone. Yes, there may be deadlines, but those are self-imposed, and I get to set the boundaries. I don’t write everyday, cuz let’s face it, your brain can only handle so much screen time. Today is Friday, and as a rule (my own rule), I don’t write on Fridays. But, this piece is for me, and my retirement brain thought it was Thursday, and oh ya, there may have been G+T in my coffee mug.

In conclusion…Seriously, NEVER write that! 

(Your reader will figure that out all on their own.)

So, freedom in retirement looks different for everyone. Yep, already said that. Take some time and just sit with that. What does it look like for you? I’d assess whether what you’re doing now is gonna set you up for that picture in your head — or not. I didn’t, but the hubby did and I just tagged along. Thanks, Babe! But in my retirement from the 9 to 5 and the rekindling of a passion, I’m secretly, or maybe not so secretly to my clients, monetizing my gift. COBRA is expensive ya’ll! One word of advice when you get to retirement — go with the flow. Your vision may change, or you may tap into a passion and it takes you down a different road. Embrace it. Embrace the freedom!

Insert shameless plug…If you need some words on a page or don’t have time to write what’s in your head, hit me up. Even if you’re not in the brain health space, trust me, I’m a research addict.