Walking on Virgin Snow
When I was very young, we spent summers in upstate New York at a “bungalow colony”. Years later I returned to the same property when it was a sleep-away camp. Even though school was out for the summer, my days were still scheduled.
When I was older, I didn’t attend summer camp. Summers were great because I wasn’t in school, so my time was my own. I had no responsibilities and was too young to work, so I chose how to spend my days.
During and after college, I worked — for decades — with very few breaks between jobs.
My Job Was Eliminated
A year ago, three months shy of my twentieth work anniversary, my position was eliminated. My employer was generous, so I didn’t have financial worries or concern about Medical/Dental/Vision insurance. My compensation also included the services of an outplacement company that helped format my updated resume, attend daily Zoom sessions with people in similar circumstance and receive training about interviewing skills, job search strategies, etc.
I updated my resume. I worked with a coach. I attended training sessions and downloaded interviewing guides. I bought a book about how to interview. I was on Zoom calls several times a week, participating in group sessions.
I was doing everything to prepare for a successful job search. Not working was an awkward walk on virgin snow.
Did I Want to Get Back on the Hamster Wheel?
The Zoom sessions were shocking. People would report that after several interviews, they were “ghosted” by the potential employer. They never heard back from the employer after making it through five rounds of interviews. Some said the employer decided to hire from within or put the job on hold. Wow.
I didn’t want to put myself through that. I couldn’t see myself spending months on dates with a potential employer, only to find out he’s fickle.
For years, my management decided what I needed to focus on, develop or resolve.
I had to forge a path towards success, regardless of obstacles such as difficult people, unreasonable deadlines and unnecessary work that would go unused.
I was tired of being on the hamster wheel of corporate politics, shelved projects, management missteps, etc. I hosted years of company-created contrived issues.
I Decided to Retire
I wanted my time to be mine once again. More so, I recognized that life is short (I was widowed when my 58-year-old husband suddenly passed away). I wanted to protect my health (Covid-19 was sweeping the country, especially where I live in Florida). I wanted to enjoy the life I built with my new husband (also widowed). I wanted to play in our garden (actually a micro-farm where we grow tomatoes, onions, ginger, turmeric, peppers, eggplant, asparagus, squash, etc.) I wanted to write and pursue the things that interested me.
I never walked this way before and really thought I’d retire at age 70, but I had opportunity to do it now. I took the path that I never took before — I decided to forego a job search.
I Wasn’t Alone
My husband celebrated his twenty-first year at work and decided to retire. He earned his pension. He found out that he’d have to return to the office in a few months — to a building that had a history of mold. Given the uptick of Covid-19 variants, he was concerned about being in an office for hours each day, breathing in traveling air particles. Instead, he wanted to run free with me!
Life After Work
My husband retired five weeks ago so we’re still getting into a routine. We are loving every moment of being together. We’re enjoying our house that we renovated a couple of years ago — inside and out. Recently, we installed a filtered drip irrigation system for our backyard raised garden beds. We’re enjoying our pool more often, thanks to the new pool heater. The house generator was installed as was the fuel tank. Hurricanes now scare us a bit less.
Every day we do online language training and brain-sharpening games. We continue to tend to our indoor microgreen and hydroponic gardens. I bake fresh bread every week. I am using several of my kitchen toys, so my husband and elderly Mom never ate so well!
I’m happy. I am living my every day per my schedule and focus. I don’t have to worry that summer will be over and soon I’ll be back in school. For me school’s out and recess is here! And I’ll continue to walk on virgin snow.
