age

Should I Stay Or Should I Go

by Penny

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A while ago at the pub, I had a discussion with a gentleman who stopped by our table to chat. He was there for a friend’s retirement party in another room. The conversation eventually got around to the concept of forced retirement. He was quite annoyed that we are often shown the door before we are ready to leave just because we have reached the magic age. Then someone else added that some people stay longer than they should at their jobs.

It got me thinking back about my own retirement. After 32 years of teaching, I was definitely ready to leave my profession. I had had my fill of unreasonable parents, constantly changing curricula, watered down educational standards, and all the political crap that went with it, but I was only 53. Had I reached my employment expiry date? How do we know when it’s time to go?

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Perhaps it’s time!

Initially, I was excited to begin the next step, but also filled with trepidation at the thought of endless time and no place that I HAD to be. Ideas consumed every free moment. I could volunteer; I could catch up on all the reading that I never found time for; I could redecorate the old house that I had just purchased; I could travel; I could write the book that I had always wanted to write.  Yes, I could do all these things and more. So why did I feel so apprehensive, so lost for direction? It took me only a few weeks to realize I  was not ready to be unemployed. 022e426bff51a2f8732e1ea44a72525d Even though I had a decent pension, I worried about having enough money to live my new life with so much extra time to do things.

I had spent a lifetime raising two kids, looking after a home, and getting my university degree while working full time. My life had ticked along on a tight schedule for as long as I could remember, and now all of a sudden there was no discernible routine. I could do what I wanted, when I wanted, and even if I wanted.  I was totally unprepared for these circumstances and I was forced to take a long, hard look at myself.

So, how do we decide it is time? Sometimes that decision is made for us. An unexpected accident may take away our ability to work. As we age, our health changes. For many, they can no longer physically do their job. Occasionally, we are able to handle modified work, but this is not always an option. For me, I felt like I was fighting a losing battle. I disagreed with so many of the changes happening within the school system that going to work each day was becoming frustrating. I loved working with the children, but it was not enough to sustain my interest anymore. I was beginning to feel like I was just putting in time to collect my pay and that did not sit well with me. When a colleague suggested that I retire and do supply teaching, I responded, “Hell, no!”

Well, it has been 18 years since I retired from teaching children, but I did not retire from working. About 2 months after my retirement date, I started working with a private company that retrained injured workers to start new careers. I remained with this company for 12 years until it eventually closed its doors. I also did a brief stint in retail just to ease myself into permanent retirement. I can finally say that I am just fine with my status.

Only you will know when it is time to leave the workforce. Just remember, if you feel that you made a mistake, try something new. Life is not carved in stone!

 

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo ♥

A New Chapter At This Age?

by Penny

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I am looking forward to reading the new book by Debbie Travis called…..

Deb Tra

Most people who know me are unaware that I am a dreamer. I can admit it now at this point in my life. I may be wrong, but I think most people see me as someone who does not take unnecessary chances and someone who likes to know exactly what is happening in her life at all times. Secretly, I like that they see me that way. It reassures me.

When I finished high school, I had grandiose dreams of becoming a fashion designer and owning my own business. I worked in retail for a couple of years and saved every cent. One day while taking the bus to work, I noticed a “For Rent” sign in a store window. I got off the bus and walked to the real estate office nearby that was advertised on the sign. I was 19 and had never had a business conversation in my life. Two hours later, I was the new tenant of that dusty, old property.

My family was shocked when I told them what I had done, but they pitched in and helped me clean-up and paint. I worked day and night to get the business up and running. My plan was to design and make ALL the clothes. I opened “The Misfit” in a few short months.

I was so proud of my accomplishment, but the small, blue-collar city where I lived was not ready for my sense of style. Two years later, I sold the contents of my business to another young entrepreneur. It was time to start a new chapter.

Now what? I saw an ad in our local paper. Air Canada was hiring flight attendants. I had never even been on a plane before, so what could go wrong? I applied, went for the interview, and a month later, I was heading to Montreal, Quebec, Canada to train.

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That’s me on the right!

That job that sounded so glamorous, and exciting was hard work, and I loved every minute of it, but life sometimes throws you a curve ball. I fell in love and got married. The job I loved did not work well with married life, and I had to make a choice. My marriage won out in the end, and I found myself once again starting a new chapter.

After several brief turns at a variety of retail positions, I decided to go back to school. Teacher’s College to be exact. It was definitely a last minute decision, but it seemed to be a good fit for married life and raising children. Unlike most teachers, I had never had a burning desire to work with kids. I had never even liked to babysit. Well, to my surprise, I discovered that I quite enjoyed working with primary grade students. Their enthusiasm for learning made the job very rewarding and I managed to remain at this job for 32 years.

After retiring from this long chapter of my life, most people assumed I would sit back and relax with my new found freedom. But I wasn’t ready! So, I volunteered at the local hospital and art gallery, did a short, seasonal stint at Chapters/Indigo, and took a position working with adults who were getting high school credits or their GED. These jobs filled my time and made me happy, but there was this burning desire in the back of my mind that had been there for as long as I could remember. I had always wanted to be a writer.

There was really nothing to stop me. All I had to do was write! Well, that sounds simple, but every writer also wants to be published. I took a few writing courses to improve my skills and network with other writers. Then I discovered “Chicken Soup For The Soul”. I submitted my first story to them. As I slid the envelope into the mail slot, I felt very vulnerable. It was like sending a part of me off to be judged. A few weeks later, the editor called and said he wanted to publish my story. I can’t even describe the feeling, but I have been submitting stories ever since.

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My latest story is in this year’s Mother’s Day collection.

No, they do not all get chosen. Rejection is just part of the business, and I have learned to deal with it.

So, have I finally written all the new chapters in my life? Absolutely not! I actually have some new plans in the works, but I will save those for another post.

How about you? What new chapter would you like to start working on in your life? Don’t let your age hold you back. Think of all the life experience you have had to this point. Use it and write a new chapter for yourself.

 

 

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo ♥