Two years ago I was fortunate to close on an early retirement with full benefits including healthcare insurance and pension. I say “close” since that was the vernacular of my last position at a Fortune 200 company in business tech sales. My mother said I would be bored. No way! I could do nothing well. So I thought.
A Day in Early Retirement Life
The first month was blissful. As you can imagine, no monthly sales quota commitment nor customer service issues greatly reduces stress. My day began with coffee, breakfast, great conversation with my husband Pat, reading BBC News, and answering emails. Next came lunch followed by some exercise, volunteering or “field trip” activity. Dinner consisted of a terrific meal prepared by Pat or dinner out with friends. The evening entertainment was streaming on Sling or Netflix. We lived in Spain for a month. Ideal life in my pre-retirement brain.
I was bored after 5 months. Now what? Embraced new activities including tai chi (definitely not my thing), culinary classes with the hubs (yum and relationship building), and language school to learn Italian (challenging but rewarding). Moved on to weekly paddle boarding on Lake Union and volunteering for Dress for Success as a career coach. Paddle boarding feeds my soul for being outdoors while Dress for Success brings me joy for supporting women and learning from them.
Discovering Arete
Arete (Greek: ἀρετή) means “excellence of any kind”. This is a fundamental principle in Ancient Greek culture. The excellence notion is the act of living up to one’s full potential or purpose. I call it my happy place. When you have had a career for over 20 years, it becomes a large part of your identity. “What do you do?” is a normal question. For this phase of my life I have many passions but I have a delightful new purpose as a career strategist. Over the years, I’ve conducted 1,000 resumé critiques and enhanced 150 LinkedIn profile makeovers. Each person I collaborate with takes away a better image of themselves. The sessions always end with gratitude from me. And, thankfully, my clients. It’s a win-win helping others. I found my arete and would love to hear what’s yours. Or if you need to find it, I’m here to help.
There’s not much written about what to expect post early retirement. It’s interesting to hear a perspective not commonly voiced.
I think retirement is highly over-rated. My father worked until he was 75 and mentally he stayed sharp and young. I plan on doing the same thing.
I would say it is better to have a 2nd or 3rd career path. Life is about both the journey and the destination-you can’t have one without the other.
Money is great, you have to have it. Happiness is even better and is essential as well. It looks like you have found both. I am very happy for you and all those souls that find areta.