I’m newly retired! WooHoo!! But now, what do I do?! Have you entered a new stage of life recently? Maybe you’re freshly free from your decades-long career, have become an empty nester, have left or been let go from a job, or have become a widow or divorcee. Your new stage could be anything different from what you’ve been doing for a considerable amount of time. Many women I know start asking themselves questions about what their lives will look like in their next chapter. I know I sure did! Having approximately a third of my life in front of me with no clear direction was a little unnerving.
My Story as a VERY Happy Retired Person
My teaching career started in earnest after my kids were all in school. The 28+ years in our neighborhood elementary school as a first-grade, then a fourth-grade teacher was fulfilling, enjoyable, and exhausting at times. By the time I reached retirement age, I was ready to bring that stage of my life to a close. So, that June, we had a party, complete with cake, memories, and lots of celebrating.
The following day I woke up as a delighted newly retired person without the alarm clock and a schedule for the day! It was terrific for a while. Then the days started filling up with volunteering for various causes, many making other people happy. “Yes” seemed the right thing to say since there was no other real purpose or direction for my life after retirement. I kept this up for several years…busy but not satisfied or fulfilled.
And then we decided to move to Texas! Purpose landed on my life for the next year. A house needed to be sold, which meant fixing, cleaning, purging, setting up appointments…all the things. Next, we needed to pack, which meant purging, selling, giving, and organizing. Lots of organizing! We made the big move, and then I was busy decorating a brand new home. After a few months, we were settled in, and I had the opportunity to think about what I wanted to do when I grew up…my new life purpose!
That’s when I reached the exciting place of determining the new calling for the next chapter of my life! The process started after about six months in our new state. All the practical pieces of my life were in place, including my home, new church, new friends, etc. And, I had time for myself. Time to process through re-discovering my purpose for this next chapter in my life.
So, I took that time to check out some things without committing too soon. There were online classes and webinars, books, and observations. I asked lots of questions and checked in with experts. After completing the discovery process, I landed on a life purpose that excited me and is proving to be a fulfilling pursuit…a lifestyle blogger!
Stepping into your Next Chapter: The 4-Phase System For Creating the Life You Love
This system was created to help you discover your enriching, unique calling in your new season of life. As you can see, I’ve been there! It took me quite a while to make my discovery.
If you’re ready to explore, learn, make a plan, and experience life without any regrets, even if you have no idea what you want to do or what your new purpose will be, I strongly recommend Stepping into Your Next Chapter: The 4-Phase System for Creating the Life You Love.
Maybe These Challenges are Still Staring You in the Face
- Lack of Direction: That feeling that you’re floundering and unable to make a decision or make sense of things happening now as a newly retired person and in the future.
- Control of Your Life: Some friends or family might be stepping in and taking the lead in the choices you should be making yourself.
- Feeling Lonely: You were once surrounded by co-workers and clients, and you ‘belonged’ to essential groups. Now you’re on your own, wondering where you fit in.
Imagine a World with a Re-discovered Purpose as a Newly Retired Woman
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up excited to work on the tasks and projects on your to-do list? You brainstorm new plans to help reach dream-fulfilling goals in the near future. You step back and realize you have more peace, joy, and confidence in your 60+ life than you ever thought you could experience!
Maybe you were blessed to have a first career that was fulfilling for the season you were in. You definitely can find that again after you’ve changed your direction in life. Now, imagine going shopping for the cute new outfit(s) you’ll need for this new calling (it doesn’t matter if you’ll be working from home, you always need new clothes!) and getting the tools you’ll need to help make it all happen. Then, see yourself sharing your excitement when you get through Phase 4 in the System and can share your big news with your friends and family.
Your Next Step
Decide for you that the time is now as a very happy, next chapter woman to jump into the 4-Phase System, so you’ll be on your way to discovering your unique, revitalized retired life meaning for this new season you’ve found yourself in! The two downloadable components of the (40+ page) system (4-Phases E-Guide and Activity Workbook) walk you through a creative, thought-provoking process that will lead you to your new best life…one that you’ll love. The System is part info, activity, journaling, and creative design with resources and encouragement included to make it an enjoyable, successful endeavor.
Follow the link to purchase the 4-Phase System’s E-Guide and Workbook through our secure checkout (we use Stripe). You’ll be able to download the System to your computer immediately. Next, you’ll be ready to read through the Guide and print and complete the workbook pages.
You can begin enjoying your newfound identity, the feeling of belonging, and appreciating your fulfilled life, all while experiencing joy, peace, and confidence in your rockin’ new journey! Bon Voyage 💕
Other Helpful Links for the Newly Retired:
6 Creative Stress-Relieving Hobbies
Re-Discover Your Life Purpose: 3 Valuable Benefits
Discover Your One Word for the Year
Finding a new purpose in living and joy in the day-to-day was the goal when author Kathy Rowland and her entire family (adult kids and grandkids) moved from the PNW to Texas several years ago. The focus of Quiet Hollow is to encourage ‘next chapter women’ – those who are retired, empty-nesters, or have found themselves without a spouse to jump back into life. And, she shares multiple tips, ideas, and possibilities toward that end. Kathy completed her almost 30 years as an elementary teacher and hopped into over a decade of volunteer work, side hustle-type businesses, and grandchild care before discovering her unique and fulfilling purpose for the next chapter of life. What you read on Quiet Hollow is a large part of that calling. Another part is the happy life she’s leading in Central Texas in the same neighborhood as the 3 big kids and her 5 grandkids. She and her college sweetheart husband made sure to add a pool to their new Texas home, so there are lots of noisy, splashy days in their little oasis of a backyard. Come join her on Quiet Hollow in a conversation about finding and living the life you were created to live in this later stage. The chats will be full of laughter, support, faith, and inspiration to create.
