AARP, life after 50, over 50, baby boomer women, aging, retirement

life after 50, over 50, retirement, baby boomer women, baby boomersIt’s been a year since I said goodbye to my full-time job. I am reminded of that major moment in my life after seeing recent coverage of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing that changed the lives of so many people. I was in Boston twice during April 2013 (including the day of the tragic bombing) to execute my final meetings for the company that had literally encompassed my every waking and sometimes sleeping hours for 30 years.

It took courage to close the book on my longest professional relationship, when only a month earlier I also said goodbye to my mom, a woman with whom I had the closest personal relationship. My mom died in March 2013 at the age of 91.

The past 12 months have been a year of great change. I cherish my friends and family who supported me and continue to support me through my transition. I am grateful for the  success I attained during my long corporate career. Now, It’s time to reap the benefits of my stamina and many years of hard work. It’s time to pursue smaller dreams and goals during my life after 50.

A big company name no longer defines me. Today, I’m on my own – living joyfully in the present and ready to fully expand and explore the future. Most of all, I like the new me who is emerging.

I can see and feel a difference.

Instead of rising at 6:00 a.m., most mornings my alarm goes off 90 minutes later. Some days I jump out of bed. Other days I linger and think about all the activities I have planned for the day. I head to my recumbent bicycle for my 30 minute ride and read my magazines and emails (on my iPhone) as I pedal away.

I can see and feel a difference.

After showering or bathing, on goes my yoga attire. No more dresses or suits. I’ve left the dry cleaners behind too. Those dollars go elsewhere or into the piggy bank for savings. No makeup required for exercise – just moisturizer and sunscreen.

I can see and feel a difference.

While I do spend many an afternoon and evening researching and writing in my home office, no one else is controlling my schedule except me. Multiple meetings are gone from my calendar.  Most mornings or middays are set aside for practicing yoga. It’s amazing what I learn about myself (and others) when I take time to stop, breathe, and be.

I can see and feel a difference.

A few evenings each week I cook dinner from scratch, following recipes I find online, in The New York Times magazine, or from the Jerusalem cookbook. I take pride in hunting down rare ingredients such as cardamom pods or sumac spice – which I now know are available at Whole Foods. I love to cook and enjoy good food.

I can see and feel a difference.

I’m making more time on my calendar to see old friends and I’m eagerly meeting new ones with whom I share common interests like yoga, writing and blogging. Sometimes I spend nights “binge” watching popular television shows with my boyfriend L. When one series ends another begins – House of Cards, The Americans, Call the MidWife, Shameless, Downton Abbey and GIRLS are our current favorites.

I can see and feel a difference.

While I’ve made some big changes this year, I’m still finding my way. Ask my friends and they’ll tell you that “some days the Coyote in me is trying to catch my inner Road Runner.” Whenever that happens, I remind myself of the sign that stands at the entrance to to the small New Jersey island where my condo on the corner sits. It says, “Slow down, what’s your hurry, you’re already here.”

AARP, life after 50, over 50, baby boomer women, aging, retirement

 

It’s amazing how the universe opens up when I slow down and what wonderful opportunities come my way. For example, just when I thought I was needing some assistance to help me sort out “what’s next,” I received an email from my friends at AARP.

“We’d like you to help us promote Life Reimagined, something completely new and different for AARP – a shift in direction that goes beyond a temporary campaign. It puts the focus on younger Americans who see new possibilities, rather than traditional retirement, in the next phase of life.”

“Who, what, where, when? Tell me all the details. Sounds like the direction I’m headed,” I said. “Sign me up.”

Life Reimagined - AARP, retirement, aging, life after 50
So here I am. Starting year two of my next chapter. As I read through the book, Life Reimagined, by Richard J. Leider, author of Repacking Your Bags, and Alan M. Webber, cofounder of Fast Company, I’m psyched about using the guide to help me discover new possibilities for the coming years.

I’ve also registered on www.lifereimagined.org to learn more about the six step approach for the next part of my journey. According to Life Reimagined there are “no old rules, no outdated societal norms, no boundaries of convention or expectations on this path.” (Sounds fab!)

I hope you’ll join me as I reflect, connect, explore, choose, repack, and act with Life Reimagined. Oh, come on and join me. Ooh,ooh,ooh, please do! It will be much more fun (and less scary) if you’re there too.

Judi

Disclaimer: This post is supported by Life Reimagined (www.lifereimagined.org): your guide to rethinking what’s possible and seizing your “what’s nest” in work, relationships, health, personal finance and more. All opinions are my own.