Y is for Yearning – Preparing for a Badass Retirement #AtoZChallenge

Y is for Yearning for a Badass Retirement

 

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.

Autumn Road by Michael Roth

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.

 

2 thoughts on “Y is for Yearning – Preparing for a Badass Retirement #AtoZChallenge

  1. 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!!

    1. Widow 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…

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