Yesterday one of my colleagues retired from my work, after 20 years spent with the organization. She is only 52. One of the post-work goals she shared with us at her party was that she and her husband are going to tour the States, visiting NFL stadiums (and taking in games, I presume). Not something I would ever want to spend my time on, but hey…different strokes for different folks, right?
I had thought that seeing Diane off would have stirred even more yearnings for retirement in my soul than I already have, but surprisingly it didn’t. During this month of researching and writing posts about quitting work for good, I have had so many conflicting feelings about the subject, particularly when. And I am no closer to knowing “when” now than I was back in March.
What I am sure of is this: my yearnings for breaking the (golden) shackles of work are related mainly to not having enough time (or yet, money) to pursue my true “Dabbler” nature. I do love my work but it takes a lot of my energy, especially right now. And that leaves very little left over for other pursuits. And so my yearnings for retirement increase during these times, often dramatically.
I have this painting hanging over my iMac. I gaze at it often, as I am doing right now. It is a wedding gift from JD’s cousin’s husband, a talented painter of landscapes.
I can lose myself easily in this painting. I am walking down that northern lane and taking in the beauty of where I am on the path, and anticipating the beautiful views to come, just around the bend.
For me this symbolizes my yearnings for retirement (and more free time for indulging my dabbling). I love where I am now, but also can’t wait to continue the journey and see what’s around the corner.*
Rock on,
The WB
*One of pluses of reaching this age is the ability to hold opposite and conflicting thoughts in one’s brain and finding that completely natural and normal.
This was an interesting post. I realized some time ago that my nature is to ‘yearn’ … and it’s not always obvious for what. I used to consider it was a bad thing, a defect that I’m never content/satisfied, but I don’t consider a ‘defect’ anymore.
There was a time in my career I yearned for retirement so much it was almost palatable. Now that I’m retired, I still have yearnings, but now it’s for that next shiny thing that will capture my imagination. While *yearning* for some is triggered by regret, lost opportunity, or unfulfilled dreams, some of us are just not the staying-still kind of people and yearning is that internal catalyst that keeps us striving.
Strive on! You are and will be a Badass!!
Thank you Joanne! Let’s hear it for us Yearners! Nice that you divided it into yearnings that can never be fulfilled (e.g. lost opportunities) vs. yearning propelling striving. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but of course you are right! I like the idea that my yearnings are what is keeping me moving and looking ahead with anticipation! Time enough for stagnation when I am dead. LOL! Striving on and on…