RETIREMENT
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Retirement
By
Anne Lebrecht.
Early retirement came to me at the age of fifty-three. When first confronted with this decision I was petrified. For most of my working adult years, I worked in accounting and as a CFO of a large corporation. The pressures of working in the automotive industry, and primarily in a field of men only had exhausted me both mentally and physically. With blood pressure so high and uncontrollable, my physician advised that either I retire or die within that year. Naturally, I chose retirement.
My major concern and thoughts were of what to do to fill my days of existence. My life had been a hectic one, I worked at least twelve hours a day and always for six days a week. What would fill my time now? I agonized over this issue. Every friend and relative had some suggestion for me, but all of their efforts were more frustrating to me than helpful. I saw myself slipping into a state of depression and knew that I had to do something to resolve this problem as soon as possible.
While working I was in constant use of a computer, so the first thing I did was shop for a new computer. By taking this first step of action, I was on my way. Once I bought the computer, I spent a few more days installing the programs and learning how to use the computer. Once that was completed, I wondered, now what. I then spent days searching the internet. I shopped, browsed, read a few articles, and explored some possibilities. I searched and found several boards on politics, cooking, and some for retirees. None seemed to interest me for more than a few hours.
By accident, I came across a board of authors; I read the messages, and discussions posted by them. This held my interest for weeks. Many had retired and spent the days writing full time. As published authors, they had much in common that I was unable to share.
One night I was unable to sleep as a story kept spinning in my head. I turned on the light and went to my computer to write. By morning, I had the outline of a story and decided I would write a novel. The more hours I spent on this, the more I started to love what I was doing and would rush to the computer to write as soon as I opened my eyes. Months passed and my novel was finally completed. Getting it published was of course another story. My files soon grew thick with the rejection letters.
The day finally came when I found a publisher willing to take a chance and publish my novel. I then began to work on rewrites and all of the necessary steps to publication. I now knew I had found my destiny and my early retirement was no longer a problem for me. I was working daily, spending more hours than what I had worked in all of the years past.
Retirement is a major life style change. Considering this, it is advisable to think ahead and to make plans for this change that we all must face one day. However sometimes as in my case that is not possible. I want to empathize that whatever steps you take to find a new way of life it is important to have an open mind. Possibilities are out there just waiting for your discovery. Finding a way to continue with an exciting life after retirement will not necessarily come easy, but it is important to meet the challenge in a positive way.
When my children left home, I thought my life was over, and then I started my working career in accounting with a new fervor. Now I had begun another. It appears we have many different phases in our lifetime and we need to recognize retirement as a new phase and one we should welcome.
As of this date, I have written three novels, one book of poetry, and five short stories. Several articles on food and travel as well.
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