Thank you for this. As I am still kind of figuring out this retirement thing, the analysis is helpful. I want to publish my first cozy mystery before 60. My older sister recently published hers at almost 70. I’m sending her this article now and your book reference. 🩷
"A full calendar can still feel strangely empty underneath" — I felt this in a specific moment.
Six months into retirement, home for three weeks after a lot of travel, I signed up to volunteer at the food bank. Something I'd donated to for years. Close to home, low commitment, and honestly — a good answer to "what do you do all day." I thought it would feel meaningful. It didn't. That's when I understood the difference between filling time and feeding something.
Wow - that's quite different than what one would expect isn't it?
I thought, when we moved to Kauai, living in paradise, that our calendar would be as full as we chose but we’d have a relaxed lifestyle. I considered myself semi-retired but lost with a portable job after the move.
We did come back to the mainland for other reasons, but I often said to myself while greeting the sunrise on the beach, “is this all there is?”
Fiction has claimed me now and with it, I find joy in my other activities.
I am sure you find your answer soon. Maybe something unexpected will surprise you!
Again, I am moved by your intentionality. And I am encouraged by it. Thank you for fleshing this out for me (us). You are still that life coach just showing by example and by connection!
Thanks Montie!! I seem to be learning through what comes out of my characters and how readers (like you) react or respond. We're all in this getting older thing together. ❤️
Wow, I love this. Writing has been my plan. I have written a novel too but haven't published it yet. I am kind of stuck there. But retirement is a time to learn for me. Learning how to write was one part- still working on that. Learn Spanish, learn a new culture living in Costa Rica, learn to cook well, and now I want to learn to draw and paint. It is about learning all the things I didn't have time for. I might even learn to play the guitar. Who knows?
That’s quite the list!! I’ll admit I’ve had similar ideas for new hobbies, but I tend to get consumed by one that requires learning. So I stick to golf, swimming and jigsaw puzzles while I follow my dream to finish all five novels in my series.
But I do have an art bag that calls my name now and then.
Thank you for this. As I am still kind of figuring out this retirement thing, the analysis is helpful. I want to publish my first cozy mystery before 60. My older sister recently published hers at almost 70. I’m sending her this article now and your book reference. 🩷
You can do it Maria. And thank you for sharing my post with your sister.
I can definitely relate to your experience. I retired two years ago and have viewed this period of life in a similar way.
Thanks for sharing Carolyn. It seems there are many women wearing similar shoes.
"A full calendar can still feel strangely empty underneath" — I felt this in a specific moment.
Six months into retirement, home for three weeks after a lot of travel, I signed up to volunteer at the food bank. Something I'd donated to for years. Close to home, low commitment, and honestly — a good answer to "what do you do all day." I thought it would feel meaningful. It didn't. That's when I understood the difference between filling time and feeding something.
I'm still figuring out what that something is.
Wow - that's quite different than what one would expect isn't it?
I thought, when we moved to Kauai, living in paradise, that our calendar would be as full as we chose but we’d have a relaxed lifestyle. I considered myself semi-retired but lost with a portable job after the move.
We did come back to the mainland for other reasons, but I often said to myself while greeting the sunrise on the beach, “is this all there is?”
Fiction has claimed me now and with it, I find joy in my other activities.
I am sure you find your answer soon. Maybe something unexpected will surprise you!
Again, I am moved by your intentionality. And I am encouraged by it. Thank you for fleshing this out for me (us). You are still that life coach just showing by example and by connection!
Thanks Montie!! I seem to be learning through what comes out of my characters and how readers (like you) react or respond. We're all in this getting older thing together. ❤️
Wow, I love this. Writing has been my plan. I have written a novel too but haven't published it yet. I am kind of stuck there. But retirement is a time to learn for me. Learning how to write was one part- still working on that. Learn Spanish, learn a new culture living in Costa Rica, learn to cook well, and now I want to learn to draw and paint. It is about learning all the things I didn't have time for. I might even learn to play the guitar. Who knows?
That’s quite the list!! I’ll admit I’ve had similar ideas for new hobbies, but I tend to get consumed by one that requires learning. So I stick to golf, swimming and jigsaw puzzles while I follow my dream to finish all five novels in my series.
But I do have an art bag that calls my name now and then.
What will it take to publish your novel?