Retirement? ......I don't think so!
60THIS IS NOT ME!
Having more than one career
The life of a work-a-holic
I love to work. Don't know where I
picked up such a strong work ethic, but it seems like I've always been
driven by it. By the time I was 12, I was running my own neighborhood
baby-sitting agency. This went on for a couple of years, then I got my
first real job at age 14 in a local grocery store. At that time, many
places hired 14 year-olds as there were not stringent labor laws for
children. By the time I was 16, I was working for J L Hudson Department
stores in Detroit, Michigan for the credit department. Later, I worked at
a bank, for a Vacuum Sweeper Co., writing up advertising copy, and at a General Motors plant, testing newly hired employees. I was always working.
By the time I graduated from high school and decided to go to college,
I was working summers at a local swimming pool, behind the towel counter.
I spent five years at Wayne State University, first studying Art for a
year and then switching to a more practical undergrad degree with a
double major in English composition and Teaching. After that, much more
education and working a myriad of short-term jobs, too long to mention
here. I ended up with a Master's in music and certification to teach
music, English, Social Studies, ESL, and students with learning
problems.
What does all this have to do with retirement?
Career #1
Just this: I was prepared to do a lot of things. I was organized
and had good planning skills and I loved to work. So it was feasible
that I could actually have more than one career. And that's exactly
what I have done. I was a teacher in the high schools of Chicago and
simultaneously a teacher of English as a Second Language in a local
college night school. After leaving the high schools, I taught at the University of Illinois and worked on a PhD in Education at the same time.
Career #2
Now let me ask you, do you think a work-a-holic, type A, perfectionist could retire happily? Of course not. Well, she sort of retired, for a couple of months that is. But soon reinvented herself as an Innkeeper and started career #2.
Opening a bed and breakfast was challenging, fun, and cost a hell of a
lot of money; more than I ever anticipated. Being a risk-taker, I went
into it not knowing a thing about business, in retrospect; not too
bright an idea. I made it work though, with a lot of tenacity, blood,
sweat, and a few tears and have been a successful Innkeeper for 15
years,
Career #3
It's been a great ride, but I am ready for a change now. I am ready for
Career #3. Retirement you ask? Maybe I never will retire, because in my
next career I plan to write. With bones aching and arthritis creeping
up into every joint, I can thankfully still type on my computer. I
will sit in a lovely overstuffed leather desk chair and happily
document my life as an Innkeeper and write articles for hubpages and
the other sites where I will continue to earn a little chump change and still feel
productive. Retire?......I don't think so.
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Alekhouse I'm with you unfortunately even down to the aches and pains. But like you I too will write until forced to stop, Windows Vista has software on it that you only need to speak and it will write it down for you so when the joints get too stiff there is still hope. lol
Kim, I know you have, and know you will...and I think you'll be the happier for it.
Love you, Honey.....Mom
@Maggs: Thanks for the heads up on the Windows Vista software that only requires speaking....Yes, please do write it down...........I'd appreciate that...Thanks so much.
Good for you! I think when we consider retiring, we start to get old. I don't feel old in my mind, just my body! Ha!
@judydianne: I know exactly where you're coming from. Thanks for commenting.
alekhouse, what is retirement anyway? So many people go on to work part time, or volunteer. I don't know. Going fishing...is that really retirement? Providing your own fresh food. That's what I want to do. (Only we might starve)
I guess it's all in how you look at it. If you have a place to grow it, providing your own food might not be a bad idea; at least for fruits, vegetables and herbs.
alekhouse, that's so inspiring. I think retirement ages you. And as I said in one of my hubs I don't feel old enough to retire, for real. Even though I call myself retired, I'm not really and probably never will be. Very good hub, and, an interesting peek into your life, thanks for that.
This was very good article. Entertaining as well as informative. I admire your energy! Keep on keeping on.
freta, thanks so much for the nice comments. Yes, I figured you'ld be one to get as much out of life as possible. I suspect you'll never be old enough to retire. And what is age anyhow? just a number!
@deestew: Glad you enjoyed the article. Appreciate the support. and thanks for the comments.
HAHAHAHA, you must be related to my cool grandmother who blasted off this planet at just shy of 100 years old - she never stopped working at something! Enjoyed this hub, wonderful energy!
I'm no workaholic or Type A personality but I do go after everything hard-charging in intense bursts that can look like a hurricane flurry of Type A rushing past. (I want to finish well and finish fast so I can go play too.)
When my husband and I visited Greece a few years ago to stay a few months (where I thought I'd start writing notes for a very personal and difficult book in an isolated place) the minute we stepped onto Santorini, a man walking a lead to his donkey approached us on a narrow winding path near the white-washed houses high up on the caldera.
He gave us his best Greek philosophy. "Love a little, work a little, play a little, sleep a little: your life in balance." I've adhered to it ever since, albeit intensely. I play as hard as I work. :)
I just LOVE your positive attitude! Keep writing!
Thanks, Denny. I thought you'ld enjoy this. You seem to be a kindred spirit. And I love the Greek philosophy you quoted. I've been exposed to a lot of it. My last live-in love was from Thessaloniki (Salonika). Learned the language from him and have visited there many times. Wanted to go to the islands, especially Santorini, but never made it. Is it as charming as it looks in the travel books?
Great Hub - I am supposedly retired but, guess what? I think I'm working harder now than ever and loving it! The so-called retirement is simply that I now have no boss to repert to, just doin' for myself! Can relate very well to the aches and pains also. Old Arthur is slowly creeping up on me too, but so far he's not getting the better of me.
This computer is a godsend too, isn't it, especially when hooked up to the Web and so bringing me into contact with friends like you - woohoo!
Love and peace
Tony
Tony...love your comments! I see you have the same issues I do, but can still say "Ain't life grand!", especially with a computer, the internet and hubpages. Thanks so much for the support and I too am happy to be in your company as well. Birds of a feather...etc
Thanks, BC, appreciate the kind words and the comments
I agree with you about loving to work. I am one of those type of people who actually asks for more hours when I can get them :). My job is great, so I actually like being there.
hi
I am young girl and just started earning. Your hub inspires me to work more and more but actually as i am lethargic kind of person i like to skip away from work but after reading your hub i like to engage my self in work and become WORK ACHOLIC
SP, You and I are lucky we have jobs that we love. It's not true for everybody though. And what about those unfortunate people who are out of work now? I thank God everyday it's not me.
I agree with you on that :).
Clara, I'm not so sure being a workaholic is for everyone. It depends on your temperament, personality, and energy levels. I think striving toward being the best that you can be in your own way will probably be easier to accomplish.
Good article. I am not a workaholic, and was definitely ready to retire after a 35 year career as a business systems analyst. I don't regret leaving the meetings, commuting, clueless bosses and company BS behind; but,
I thought I would spend more time reading, writing, fishing, puttering around the house, doing a lot of nothing.
I find myself becoming restless because I miss the sense of doing important things, and working with interesting people who have a sense of humor. But the thing I miss most about work is the paycheck. Having free time is great when you want to spend a month or two traveling, but it costs money to be able to do nothing in, say, Hawaii.
denoonan: You're certainly right about the money situation after retiring. When I close down my business this year and retire for the second time, I will be on a fixed income. It wont be easy. I'm so glad I did a lot of traveling while I was a teacher, 'cause I wont be able to afford it either. And actually, I don't think it'll bother me much as I plan to spend all my time writing.
Nice your experience.I hope you happy with your work every place.
Thank you for the nice comment.
i am a workaholic........ always worked as a child also...miserable when i have no job...enjoyed this hub and the lovely picture of the old lady knitting,,,,, everyone used to knit in our house,,,,,, almost a thing of the past now
Thanks, Brenda, for taking the time to read and comment on my hub. Guess there are a lot of workaholics around hubpages.
yeah there probably are but it sure does intefere with the amount of time you can actually get on to hub pages...... need to get ready for work now soon
Way to go, alekhouse! Far too many people sit back and let life take charge rather than the other way around. Retirement? The word should be retired from the dictionary!
Brenda: Speaking of work: Hope the day goes well for you.
Shalini: I agree with you about retireing retire from the dictionary!:)And, judging from the comments here, seems a lot of other people think so too.
Fab photo! But I'm glad it's not you. That's a lot of energy you've got seeping through your veins, girl. I for one am so very glad you plan on writing it all down. =]
Thanks for the support, Frieda..........still very much alive and kicking. BTW how are your writing projects coming along?....a book?...especially a book of poems,...... yours, being absolutely fabulous! fabulous!!
It is upto people to retire when they want. There is no retirement age set by nature. You can work upto any age. Your picture of old lady is very inspiring.
Vizey, thanks for stopping by and commenting on my hub.
How did you hear about that?! Oh yeah the comments. lol. I forgot I shared that. I know, it's exciting. Comming along. You'll hear about it the moment it's done I'm sure. I won't be able to stop blabbing about it all over the place. =]
I am excited for you. You are so talented and you can bet that any book of your is going to be a book of mine. Good luck with it and just keep pluggin' away
Kim from Austin 2 years ago
I dare say I got the gene and will be following suit...thanks mom!