I was lucky to be able to retire early, 10 years ago at 55. One of the best things about retiring while you’re still full of energy is having the freedom to put your skills into something fresh and fulfilling like blogging, crafting, or charity work. It’s a great way to stay sharp, stay active, and enjoy the buzz of doing something that matters to you. Think back years ago when your mother and grandmother retired. They often ended work with few new opportunities, poor support and advice for looking after their health, and an expectation that they would slow down until they stopped. Whatever age you retire at, look upon it as beginning a new and exciting chapter in your life.

When I was 54 I was coming to the end of a fabulous career as a learning disability nurse. I loved every minute of it but still went on the pre-retirement course, not knowing whether to retire early and lose some benefits or work until I was 60. Not much of a risk-taker, retirement felt scary and I couldn’t see what the future would hold so I wasn’t really paying attention. Then something the speaker said piqued my curiosity. He repeated what he had heard attendees say at previous workshops, and what I was also thinking: “Why should I retire, I wouldn’t know what to do anyway”. His reply? “Because you can.”

Whoa slow down! How lucky was I to be given this opportunity? How many other people are in such a fortunate position to be able to start afresh with no alarm clock or the drudgery of having to do what someone else says all the time? To be the boss of my own time, to choose what to do in the mornings? It’s even worse now that people on newer schemes aren’t even given the option. So I bit the bullet and went for it. Initially I did some contract work (ie there’s a clear beginning and an end) and worked on my blog, September Woman. (Since defunct but that’s a story for another day).

Because I can has taken on a new meaning and I’m forever grateful every day that I took the plunge. Yes I still have to do things I don’t want to do, but they don’t take up near as much of my days or weeks as work did. And I love a lie-in in the mornings (not every, but many). I worked for well over 45 years for that. And I love it even more Because I can.

Brenda
You’re between chapters and this moment matters more than you think.