Hi Kelly. I’m 59 and four days into official retirement from a 41-year career in a job that provided many wonderful memories. But the 24/7 nature of it made me finally pause and ask myself what I really want to spend my time doing. I look forward to your thoughts!
Hi! Huge congratulations on your retirement - and after 41 years, no less. That’s incredible. I so relate to that moment of pause… asking what now, and realizing the answer might be quieter, slower, or completely different than what came before. I’m only 8 months in, but already learning that unlearning hustle can be just as important as discovering what’s next. Can’t wait to hear more about your journey!
I love the idea of slow travel and small kitchens. When travelling, I love a small town over a big crazy city..its the pause that makes you enjoy the travel not the rush!
Absolutely! I’m the same. I never say never, but it’s just easier to feel present and sane in places that move at a gentler pace. There’s something about the quiet rhythm of a slower town that invites you to actually live instead of just visit.
Freshly retired at 55? You’re speaking my language. So excited to meet a kindred spirit and 10X the adventure and growth ahead. Let’s do this! Can’t wait to learn more about your path too.
Kelly! Yes, I'm excited to follow you. I'm also re-confronting who I am and what I want now that I'm in my Second Season in life. The 40s+++ where nothing is what it was before. I'm reframing to retame my world one word at a time. I also love to travel and find the slow travel is what feeds my soul. I look forward to the journey.
This fed my soul ❤️ Happy to spill all my secrets: long-stay Airbnb tricks, shoulder-season timing, and how to live like a local without blowing the budget. The 40s+++ hit like a plot twist and a homecoming at once.
Save me a seat at the wine bar. Here’s to slow travel, unexpected detours, and reframing the story on our own terms.
I guess I'd call myself a "slow lifer" - living life slowly without traveling, not yet completely retired, but on my way there soon. 🙂 I'm reaping the fruits of my past corporate labor in a 16th century old manor in the Loire Valley. Just being at home feels like vacation & I've found telework out of my home office. Life is good. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words. My late husband and I lived our lives to the fullest, no regrets. I try to carry forward our legacy of loving life. The gift of time and choice for how you spend your time in retirement is immeasurable!
Welcome to early retirement! It’s awesome. My retired friends and I call it “preferment” - it’s being able to do what we “prefer” without worrying about the grind of earning a paycheck.
I retired 5+ years ago at age 56. Tragically my beloved husband died just as we were about to retire. I took time to grieve, heal, and find love again. I traveled a lot too. My partner and I both left corporate careers and are well into our 2nd act. He started a wellness/health business and I’m a writer about to have my book published in October, thus fulfilling a dream I always had. My book and my substack is intended to inspire people to know they can thrive again after experiencing tragedy and tough times.
I’m so sorry for your loss - it’s heartbreaking to lose your partner right at the edge of such an exciting new chapter. I admire the way you’ve found your way through grief and into a second act full of purpose and love. I’m looking forward to getting to know you here and cheering you on as your book launches!
Thanks for sharing your experiences and creating a space for fellow early retirees to share their experiences. I retired about 4 years ago, and my wife one year ago.
We’re only 8 months in ourselves, but we’d been practicing for years with monthlong trips abroad…kind of like training wheels for early retirement. It’s been such a shift to make it full-time. Excited to swap stories and hear how the journey’s unfolded for you and your wife!
Hi Kelly. I’m 59 and four days into official retirement from a 41-year career in a job that provided many wonderful memories. But the 24/7 nature of it made me finally pause and ask myself what I really want to spend my time doing. I look forward to your thoughts!
Hi! Huge congratulations on your retirement - and after 41 years, no less. That’s incredible. I so relate to that moment of pause… asking what now, and realizing the answer might be quieter, slower, or completely different than what came before. I’m only 8 months in, but already learning that unlearning hustle can be just as important as discovering what’s next. Can’t wait to hear more about your journey!
I love the idea of slow travel and small kitchens. When travelling, I love a small town over a big crazy city..its the pause that makes you enjoy the travel not the rush!
Absolutely! I’m the same. I never say never, but it’s just easier to feel present and sane in places that move at a gentler pace. There’s something about the quiet rhythm of a slower town that invites you to actually live instead of just visit.
I think I've found my people, lol. I'm freshly retired at 55. Looking forward to reading more.
Yes! This makes me so happy.
Freshly retired at 55? You’re speaking my language. So excited to meet a kindred spirit and 10X the adventure and growth ahead. Let’s do this! Can’t wait to learn more about your path too.
Kelly! Yes, I'm excited to follow you. I'm also re-confronting who I am and what I want now that I'm in my Second Season in life. The 40s+++ where nothing is what it was before. I'm reframing to retame my world one word at a time. I also love to travel and find the slow travel is what feeds my soul. I look forward to the journey.
This fed my soul ❤️ Happy to spill all my secrets: long-stay Airbnb tricks, shoulder-season timing, and how to live like a local without blowing the budget. The 40s+++ hit like a plot twist and a homecoming at once.
Save me a seat at the wine bar. Here’s to slow travel, unexpected detours, and reframing the story on our own terms.
I'm ready. Cheers to the slowing and the spilling!
I'd love to get your thoughts on how I'm framing up being in our 'Second Season.' Here's my very first post describing why I'm here.
https://oursecondseason.substack.com/p/welcome-to-second-season?r=w4uxz
I’m having a tough time accessing your link! Maybe a European mobile thing. I’ll try again later but super-excited to know you!
Same! If you have issues later please let me know and I'll resend.
Sounds like a story too good not to share!
Such a well-timed comment! I woke up doubting my story wants to be a book when it grows up. Thank you, Mark 👀
It’s the kind of story that could be a “read as you go” newsletter, a book down the line and also a Youtube channel.
It just depends how willing you are to dedicate part of your new life to documenting!
Not very willing actually. Thank you so much for the sage advice!
I guess I'd call myself a "slow lifer" - living life slowly without traveling, not yet completely retired, but on my way there soon. 🙂 I'm reaping the fruits of my past corporate labor in a 16th century old manor in the Loire Valley. Just being at home feels like vacation & I've found telework out of my home office. Life is good. 🙂
“Slow lifer” - yes! Thats the way life is meant to be lived (or so I’ve come to believe). Enjoy!
As an ardent RVer, I love this. And the term “slow travel” is perfect!
Thank you for your kind words. My late husband and I lived our lives to the fullest, no regrets. I try to carry forward our legacy of loving life. The gift of time and choice for how you spend your time in retirement is immeasurable!
Welcome to early retirement! It’s awesome. My retired friends and I call it “preferment” - it’s being able to do what we “prefer” without worrying about the grind of earning a paycheck.
I retired 5+ years ago at age 56. Tragically my beloved husband died just as we were about to retire. I took time to grieve, heal, and find love again. I traveled a lot too. My partner and I both left corporate careers and are well into our 2nd act. He started a wellness/health business and I’m a writer about to have my book published in October, thus fulfilling a dream I always had. My book and my substack is intended to inspire people to know they can thrive again after experiencing tragedy and tough times.
I’m so sorry for your loss - it’s heartbreaking to lose your partner right at the edge of such an exciting new chapter. I admire the way you’ve found your way through grief and into a second act full of purpose and love. I’m looking forward to getting to know you here and cheering you on as your book launches!
Thanks for sharing your experiences and creating a space for fellow early retirees to share their experiences. I retired about 4 years ago, and my wife one year ago.
We’re only 8 months in ourselves, but we’d been practicing for years with monthlong trips abroad…kind of like training wheels for early retirement. It’s been such a shift to make it full-time. Excited to swap stories and hear how the journey’s unfolded for you and your wife!