Monday morning, overcast and windy and flood warnings throughout the Valley that don’t affect me as I am away from any nearby rivers. Many homes here don’t have central heating and my sweet, two story rental is no exception. There are electric heaters on the walls in each of the rooms but on winter days like this they really don’t project much into the room. And my living room is large by European standards so I am very grateful to have a good fireplace with an insert to create a cozy, comfortable space. So, as usual, I am writing this stretched out on the couch, fire blazing with absolutely no need to go anywhere or do anything today if that’s what I choose.
But speaking on choices I am backfilling here. I really did think I would get this up and running much sooner into my retirement but seems I just couldn’t get it together. I wasn’t in one place long enough, or had too many (fun) distractions while there to really get serious about website creation or, was really trying to adjust to this life. After all, I hadn’t just left work, something that was part of who I was for over 4 decades, but I had left my home, my stuff, my support group…..
As more and more people started to ask me when I planned to retire I would dismiss the thought, assuming I would stay at it until I was 65. My children were grown and scattered, I really enjoyed my work (especially helping clients with solutions) and had really nice colleagues who I had a good rapport with. Financially I was okay; good salary, no mortgage and a rental unit that paid all of my operating costs. You know, the boring stuff like insurance, hydro bill, taxes….. But what was I going to retire to? What was going to give my life meaning if there wasn’t work to anchor it? Don’t get me wrong, I have never defined my value or my reason for being on earth by my work- it was for the most part a means to an end but still, I imagined retirement without purpose for me would mean I would be restless and my brain would turn to mush. And my world might become very small. This was particularly emphasized by Covid when travel restrictions meant at times we couldn’t even go to another province let alone see more of the world at large. Claire was settled in Ottawa making good friends, Brodie was living his best life on Vancouver Island and Emily had followed her heart to France. They were independent and doing their own thing. I had to continue to do the same for me. And then, along came Baby Nina in September 2022. And who knew that becoming a grandparent could have such a profound impact on your life? And the opportunity to help Emily and Francois….. suddenly I could see purpose and adventure all wrapped up in one move. From there it wasn’t too hard to make the pieces fall into place….. work had already given me a leave of absence trial run so I could experiment with living in France and for me, it didn’t make sense to keep a home and the responsibilities that go with that, and a house full of stuff that make a house a home, if I was only going to be there part time. (I will write another post on what it’s like to get rid of 95% of what you own. :|)
Would it financially have made more sense to stay until I was 65? Sure. I’d have had the chance to save more, stayed living where I was with rental income. I would have continued to learn new things at work which is good on so many levels. But I thought of it this way; if I knew for certain I was going to live until my 90s (such is my prediction) then yes, working another couple of years at a job I enjoyed and with a company that cared about people would make sense. But none of us know when that ticking clock will run out of time and I thought – Man, I would be so annoyed if I ended up only having 4 years left to live and I worked 2 of them when I didn’t need to. Especially when I knew that I wanted to spend as much time as I could in France. And 5 weeks vacation would not cut it for being enough time to form that sweet, special bond with Baby Nina.
So here I am, writing from the French countryside, pinching myself that this is my life, grateful for the good health that allows me certain freedoms and independence. And working at projects like this blogging one to help me continue to learn new skills and give me extra purpose. So far, so good. Oh and bien sur, the croissants and cheese are a bonus. 🙂
xo
I’m just so happy I’ve finally found where to follow along! Aren’t you a smartie pants, creating this! Bravo! You’re one determined lady!!😊 As much as I miss you, I’m so pleased to know you’re living such a wonderful life abroad!! You’ve always inspired me with your gusto and keenness for adventure!!
Your choice to retire was definately the right one!
I look forward to following along this journey with you!
Love and miss you Mon amie! Xo😘
I am so glad you found me Bren!! Who would have thought this would be my life right?? And yet here I am, spending my children’s inheritance on another continent. 🙂 xo
Nina is lucky to have her Naja close by! Especially such an adventurous/ inspiring Naja! Xx
Ah thanks Em! Going to be even more fun when Nina and Naja’s adventures are more than a trip to town for croissants and a ramble through the quaint little streets! xo
I am certain that your colleagues and the insurance industry miss you very much!! When someone who knows their job and has that rapport with their clients, it is hard to replace them. And no matter what was going on in the industry or with the company, you always came into the office with a smile that was contagious and your beautiful lipstick.
So glad to be able to follow along while you live your best life!! Keep posting my friend!!
Thanks Tabatha! It truly was the best part of what I did- selling the company and trying to remove roadblocks and frustrations for our clients. Covid changed all that didn’t it? No more face to face. That certainly made it easier to leave….. Happy you are along for the adventures! And you, keep up that amazing fitness work! So inspiring!!
Now this is exciting!! I am so happy for you, and me. For now I am able to travel with someone I admire and see things through her eyes. Carry on my friend. I’m looking forward to our travels. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️
Pack your bag. A small one. Carry on only. Or a backpack. Medium. Happy to have you come with me. 🙂
Good for you Michelle…love following your inspiring adventures. Agree, retirement is a thoughtful decision!
Everyone told me- you’ll know when the time is right. And you know what Shelley, I did!
You are the first blogger I’ve ever followed!! Just thought about that. Loving the first few posts 😍.
See, you’re like me Joan, continuing to be open to new things keeps us young!
You are simply amazing. You make everyone’s day better. Love your blog ❣️
Thank you Linda, you have been so encouraging of my travel FB posts that you have played a role in my being brave enough to do this! xo