Starting Over (One More Time!)

I thought my time for “starting over” had passed.  That idea turned out not to be true. At the end of April, I went back to work. I decided to re-evaluate what I was doing. Retirement was great and yet I felt the need to fill some gaps. This time, I chose a completely new field. It was the right thing to do. My work was going well. It was time to stop the drain on my retirement funds and to add a new purpose to my life.

 Next, I needed to reorganize, re-evaluate and re-distribute my time, energy, and interests. My cleaning was non-existent. Many projects lay undone. My gardens and yard were untended and looking wild and wooly. My Sidetracked Sisters and I had goals to accomplish and new ideas to develop. Yet, I was coming home at night tired and crashing.

After two years of retirement, I had developed some very nonproductive habits. The only answer to my dilemma was to use all of my resources including my self-discipline. (I’m sure I could find it somewhere!) 

I would like to tell you that everything was now in place and working as it should. I’m not there yet and found having a plan in place is the first step. What I have now realized is that my time has a value that I need to protect.  I can feel bad and overwhelmed about everything that needs to be done, or I can change how I’m looking at my situation and accept the challenge.  I know I can do this and find my answers. 

If you decide to start over, here’s a list of areas to look at: 

1. Maximize your time. Utilize times that you are not taking advantage of currently.
2. Ask your family for help. Often they are glad to help and actually enjoy it…
3. Break jobs down into manageable pieces…
4. Simplify your work.
5. Make sure your expectations are realistic.
6. Give yourself the credit you deserve.
7. Get plenty of rest and take care of your health.
8. Take a break.
9. Enjoy every day.
10. Celebrate your successes.

I’d appreciate your suggestions and your support. We’re in this together. I’d enjoy hearing from you.

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