This Week I Started Retirement

This week I officially started retirement.

Let me put the disclaimer on here that, no, I am not permanently retired. I will be going back to work! In fact, I have already started working a little bit since leaving my past job. Using the term "retirement" is just a way we have described this transitional period in my life. It's a way to help let my mind relax and enjoy this time where I have little more freedom than usual.

Regardless of whether you choose to leave a job like I did, or whether you have been laid off, it can be terrifying not knowing where your next paycheck will be coming from. This whole transition has been a huge test of faith for me and a little bit scary. At the same time I have never felt more peace as I've been provided for in ways I never could have imagined. I'd also just like to mention how thankful I am for an amazing soon to be husband who works his butt off so I can enjoy this period of time off work. I am so grateful for him each and every day.

Since I've been "retired" I've been given the gift of slowing down and enjoying the little things again. Here are a few things I've been enjoying:

1) Writing - I had been so burned out that I stopped writing for myself. I stopped working on sketch writing, I'd stopped blogging and journaling, I stopped working on personal projects I had such a passion for. Since retirement I've picked up my pen again (or more like my keyboard) and I've really enjoying working on projects for myself, one of those projecting being this blog :)

2) Wedding Planning - With so much going on over the last few months wedding planning had become more of a burden than a joy for me. I was so ready to just head to the court house and call off the big wedding we will be having. Now that my stress and anxiety levels are down I have really enjoyed getting back into the swing of it. Planning a wedding should never be a miserable experience and I am so glad I've gotten a chance to start enjoying it again.

3) Cooking - I love to cook. But it's hard to get motivated to do so once you've worked all day and have a million other chores to get done in the evenings. Over the last few months we've eaten more cereal and ego waffle dinners than I care to admit. Having the time now to really prepare nice meals for dinner has been fantastic.

4) Time Outdoors - Sitting at a computer all day really takes away from the time you have to enjoy the great outdoors. While we have a beautiful fenced in back yard I constantly felt guilty that I didn't always have a lot of time to spend outside with my dog. Since retirement I've made it a point to take the time I now have and use it by going to the dog park more frequently and taking more walks.

5) Following my Dreams - Since retirement I've had the chance to really evaluate where I want to be heading in my life. I've been given some opportunities to explore the passions I have. Not all of my dreams will probably work out but at least I've been given the opportunity to test them out. The last thing I want to do 60 years from now is have regrets about not doing the things I love.

There are a million other things having some "retirement" time has provided for me and I am so grateful. I know not everyone is as fortunate as me to be able to take time off of work so I am going to enjoy every second of it as I know it will be short lived.