Getting canned from my airline job seven weeks ago – oh, wait… early retired – has been both a challenge and a lot of fun. I’ve only recently caught my breath enough where I could reflect on it. So let me share a couple challenges I’ve faced and the fun I’ve had over the past few weeks of my blogging sabbatical.
My first challenge has been in processing a lot of emotions, something I’m still working through. The temptation to become angry and bitter has been there, and I’ve had to choose to avoid that dark path and focus on the positive. Thankfully, I’ve felt prepared for this big pivot in life by having already read some great books like 48 Days to the Work You Love and No More Dreaded Mondays, both written by Dan Miller.
One of Miller’s central concepts is that work is only one part of a successful life. Other areas include family, social, spiritual, personal development, physical, and financial – see his free download for more info. Since I had already been working on those other facets of life, those areas of success have been refilling the big crater in my ego from my loss of employment. And, as you know, having a positive outlook is a huge part in staying focused on moving forward. I’m really thankful I had invested time beforehand – it has helped tremendously now.
Secondly, as I’ve shared in my last post, the timing was such that I’ve entered into a business with a friend. So now I’m completely rearranging my life around running a furniture, mattress, and decor store in my home town. And that has probably been the more difficult challenge as I naturally gravitate toward predictable routine and nothing has been either routine or predictable. The hardest part is that I had been accustomed to having a lot of time with my family and retail isn’t quite as friendly in that regard. But we’re adjusting and finding ways to make it all work together.
Now, for the fun part. I’ve absolutely have had a ball getting this store up and running. I have some artistic talent and have designed our logo, in-store signage, and advertising. I’ve also enjoyed the creative puzzle of laying out the store and setting it up where there is always something interesting wherever you look. I’ve enjoyed meeting a lot of nice folks and helping them solve their problems and make life a bit more cheery for them. And we’ve had a lot of early success, and are well on track to meet our financial goals before we’ve even advertised. So yahoo on that one. I may actually have some income out of this before too long!
And my writing? As I’ve shared, I’m still figuring out how my days and weeks will look before I know for sure. I’m easing back into blogging and will also restart work on my refresh of The Man Who Was Thursday before too long. The main thing is to keep my priorities straight. Providing for my family’s financial and quality time needs come first. But I’m pretty sure writing will continue to be a big part of my life.
Thanks, EDC
Edward D. Casey 