Entering Act III - Enter Stage Right...

This coming Monday, June 30, 2025, is my last official 'work day." 

After an official post-college career that has spanned 39 years, I find myself facing unemployment for the first time in my life. Yes, I am beyond blessed that I was able to cobble together a career that turned out pretty well -- it challenged me, introduced me to people around the world and from all walks of life, allowed me to travel, and toward the end paid me pretty well. 

I saw this meme on social media a couple of weeks ago and it really stuck with me. I have come to realize that I gave 150% to my job and my body and mind feel the toll. Starting around 2010, I was all in, chasing more responsibility, being noticed for my work, working ridiculous hours (once I literally worked 36 hours straight - I know why I did it - but no one else was doing it), not moving from my desk for HOURS. For all the positives of my job and career, the realization of the last 15 years--in particular--ruined my life. 

So, first up in my unplanned early retirement is to do nothing! I leave for Scotland/Ireland on July 10. For the first time in my life, I can go on vacation and not give one second to thinking about work. This is amazing!

My bestie Cathy encouraged me to just take the summer off and that is exactly what I am going to do. 

I also saw this meme on social media. And, I realized tis was me, I was putting on this brave face for really the past few years but inside I felt dead. I made life changes seven years ago to move home and help with my dad during the end years of his dementia. I left Iowa City, which I absolutely loved living in, and a really great group of friends. So, I move home to help with caregiving while i was also in the throes of another ridiculously intense project at work that had me on the road half the time. Then COVID hit, then my dad passed away, then my dog died, then I got a COVID puppy that in now way replaced the loving dog I lost (buyer's remorse!). Get a puppy they said, it'll be fun. This one has given me a run for my money, she'll be five in August, and we've mostly worked out a mutual relationship of respect. 

About a year ago, I listened to the Julia Louis Dreyfuss Podcast "Wiser than Me," and an interview she did with Jane Fonda. I highly recommend it ==> julia-gets-wise-with-jane-fonda

During the interview, Jane talks about how, as she approached age 60, she spent a year figuring out what to do for her Act III. She consider ages 0-30 Act I, 31- 59 as Act II, and the final 60-90 as Act III. At age 63, I am thinking about my Act III. I don't want to fully retire, but I don't want to continue with the grind I was doing. 

While I spent the past three months having mild panic attacks about how I would survive without a steady income and routine, but now I am embracing it! I will be fine, and I will figure something out.