Retire Lynda. What, Me? Not Likely

Retire Lynda. What, Me? Not Likely.

Retire is a word a lot of us dream about when we are hard at it in our jobs. Not having to get up early in a morning, ploughing through traffic to get to work and wanting enough money to enjoy doing nothing is what I certainly dreamt about.

The thing is, those things are nice to have but I soon got bored. You must think I’ m crazy or something. Only yesterday I was telling a friend the things I had been doing. Making videos, creating a an online course, doing a Facebook live for my audience. She said, “Have you ever thought of just taking it easy and enjoy your retirement?” This is exactly what my Mum used to say to me all the time before she died.

Before I Chose To Retire

In my previous “life” for the ten years prior to retiring, I was a Board Member, Shareholder and Director of an Independent Fostering Agency. (You can read about that journey in my book, Turning Poverty Into Success).

There were many responsibilities and I was fired up most days. Before selling my shares and moving on, I used to dream of sitting around doing nothing. This happened a lot when I was sat in traffic on the M1 motorway, after being up at 5am.

Don’t get me wrong. I totally loved what I did and if I had my time again I would do exactly the same. I lived and breathed the business. It consumed me. However, after doing it full pelt for 10 years, often working 90 hour weeks and never being at home with my husband, I was ready to stop.

Afterwards

After the excitement of selling my shares and being free to do all the things I wanted, I began to realise that to retire was very different to what I thought it would be. For me it was. I missed the problems I used to solve. The people I used to work with as well were missed. The camaraderie you enjoy when working and the social life that goes with it disappeared overnight.

My inbox was empty and the phone didn’t ring as much and I felt empty and not needed. Like I had no purpose. It all took some readjustment and I went through quite a transition period. My husband also had to get used to be being home all the time ha ha. We got through it though but I soon became bored having no purpose.

I used to shop a lot at a local boutique in a small market town near where we lived and when it came up for sale I couldn’t resist buying it. Loving clothes the way I did and doing something totally different really appealed to me.

I had the boutique for about six years and LOVED it. Unfortunately, the recession hit the retail sector hard and I closed it around 3 years ago.

What Now?

Chris and me had bought a second home in Portugal, in the Algarve just before I retired and we spent a good deal of time there. When we had our English house demolished and rebuilt we went to live in Portugal while it was being done. We loved it so much we have found ourselves staying here more and more. The weather is fantastic, the people are wonderful and the lifestyle is so carefree and easy. Yes, to retire here is a dream I am enjoying.

Retire is the wrong word for me though!

I received a message from a good friend before I closed the boutique, asking me if I was open to earning an extra income on the side. Well, that sounded intriguing and the boutique was losing money so I responded by saying yes I was.

Enter The World Of Online Marketing – You’re Right I didn’t Retire Just yet!

Five years ago after saying yes to my friend I began a journey that has given me back a purpose. I have been on a massive learning curve, invested thousands in my education and now I spend my time coaching, teaching and helping others to go forward in their journey. Becoming an author was exciting for me as well. In fact, I will write another book one day.

I have made thousands of friends worldwide, learned how to do videos, write on this blog, master social media and a ton of other things.

Retirement just isn’t in my vocabulary. Thankfully I have a fabulous husband who supports me 100% in everything I do. How could I think of retiring when I love what I am doing. It keeps my brain ticking, keeps me young in my head and gives me a reason to get up in the morning.

Boomers

People of a certain age are often called Baby Boomers or Seniors. I dislike any of those terms. If I had to use the term Boomer I prefer Super Boomers lol.

Whatever older people are called, there are many people of my age group who can’t afford to retire and don’t have the luxury to decide. The industry I am now involved with is for ANY age group, young and old alike. Its a way out for people who haven’t had the opportunities I had all those years ago to begin a business.

If you, the reader doesn’t have confidence to even begin, I specialise in helping people to gain that, building their self esteem to believe they can do anything if they put their minds to it. Take a look at my Mastering Your Confidence Guide, its Free..

Retire, Me? Not Likely

I’m having far to much fun to retire yet. Working from home keeps me going, and I am so happy helping others to see there is another world out there. So, no matter what your age, decide today what you want from life and if you are my age, do you really want to hang your boots up yet?

If you enjoyed todays post, Retire Lynda. What, Me? Not Likely, it would be great if you could drop me a comment below to let me know.