I am currently one year and a couple months into my five
year plan with the hopes of early retirement.
My biggest goal has been to get my girls both graduated from high school
and off to college. One down and one
more to go!
After the young one is off to college I want to take a year
to really evaluate my personal situation and see what it is exactly that I
would like to do. I'd also like to enjoy
a year of living alone in my lovely little home. It would be a first for me to live alone here
and I would really like to experience that.
I may continue to work that year or I may not. I'm not sure.
In the time that remains I would like to complete home renovations,
inside and out as well as to add A LOT of money to my savings and retirement
accounts. Finishing up my work on
Laverne is on the list as well. I'd also
like to fit in some travel, if possible.
I doubt I'd have the time or budget for much, but it would be nice if I
could fit that in.
The biggest problem I've had is knowing where I want to go
next and while I have a bajillion ideas swirling around in my head nothing has
felt right. I am hoping that in the next
few years it will come to me. Until then
I have nothing concrete in mind. The one
thing that I did have in mind was that if I couldn't decide I could at the very
least just stay put until it comes to me.
It is entirely possible that my five year plan will have to
change. It also may not, but it is very
likely it will have to. I need to
prepare myself for that possibility. So
for the moment my five year plan will stay in place, however I will be planning
and doing my research to be prepared in case it does need to be changed.
Having plans and goals is mightily important. It gives me a sense of purpose and direction
in my life and allows me to achieve more than I otherwise would. Flexibility is also a very important part of
planning and having goals. Without the
ability to flex and adapt to change we flounder.
I could be upset, fearful and angry over the idea of a big
developer possibly coming in and taking over everything I've done here for the
past twenty five years but I'm not going to do that. It would just make me miserable. Instead I am looking at this as a possibility
to do something different.
Yes, this was completely and totally unexpected. Out of the blue someone knocked on my door
and told me they would like me to leave.
That is a tough one, but how I choose to handle that is completely up to
me. I'm in control and whatever the
outcome I do feel things will be just fine.
The Realtor story you have shared in the past three posts has been heart-wrenching, but your attitude is so admirable. Your mindset of “how I choose to handle that is completely up to me” is a definite role model for being optimistic and taking responsibility for your own decisions. Your daughters are blessed to have you show them how to be confident, assured problem-solvers.
ReplyDeleteLaura
Thank you Laura. You just made my day! XXX
DeleteI've learned that flexibility is the key. I too, had a plan for retirement but while I have retired, what came afterward isn't going according to my timetable. You've dealt with set-backs or had to change in midstream so I know you'll do well whatever you decide. Or is decided for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that vote of confidence. I truly do appreciate it. It is going to be okay. :)
DeleteI can't tell you how many times I've been told "we want to buy your house". Well, they can't have my HOME! It is mine. The only forced out is eminent domain and they've already taken that out back of our property.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. The only thing you can control is your response. Stand your ground and take care of YOU! No one else will put you first :-)
Thanks Elle. I completely agree with you. It is all going to work out. I have a good feeling about it.
Delete