Retirement: 40's the new 60's? I bet not, but retirement is a major downer. (Move over Hillary...)

My birthday last month qualified me for Social Security benefits. I checked into it and I certainly won't receive much - all those zeros during the time I was having babies - hurt. Still, it was more than I anticipated - all those years I paid the max allowed into Social Security - helped.

However, retirement spells boredom to me. I don't think I wanna stay at home. I'm healthy, I'm capable, I'm hyper and I'm genuinely bored. I'm considering seeking employment. Seems to me, with folks retiring in masses, there should be a job for an old lady of sixty-two in the marketing niche of -baby boomers. Where, I don't know... but somewhere.

My qualifications? Of course, I'm exactly the right age - baby boomers should be able to identify with me with noooooo problem . That helps make it a perfect niche. Add computer literacy, graphic art design, communication, editorial skills (print to press, copy writing, editing, etc.) a marketing employment background and motivational speaking. I'm also a published artist, writer, and designer with all that entails - pretty much a craft guru as well. Put that together and it spells creative, not book keeping, finance nor half a dozen other fields which might come quickly to mind.

My motivation: So what to do with a potpourri of skills, excess energy and a yearning to fly the coop daily from my "retired" husband- even to the next room, gainfully employed, would work. ( Believe e'thing you ever hear about how horrible it is when hubby retire - it's much, much worse than one can imagine.!)

Minuses: I refuse to do retail and medical is depressing - I'm a lousy teacher but a wonderful motivator. I'm an enthusiastic person who thinks in exclamation points that bubble over into my writing, my projects and my ever day conversations. Bottom line: I can be bored and depressed all by myself staying home so I would like to do something that engages my interest.

Possibilities: Planning activities for senior citizens? (I don't want to be around sick people but I love cranky old people -planning to be old and cranky myself someday). Could there be something in crafts for children? Marketing for baby boomers? I'm a rabid political animal - anything that PAYS there?

Working from home: Could I design a website for senior citizens, personal websites, maybe with a leaning towards senior hobbyists to market their wares and teach them to how to use them, goal oriented towards adding a small in-home office so I can have hours and hours that I'm too busy to commiserate with my hubby's misery while he adjusts to his retirement. Me, an entrepreneur? I dunno, maybe I need to see if thought expands that into anything.

My appearance: Would it be necessary to dye my short, curly grey hair, I wonder? Or could it be an asset, firmly establishing my age? The photo of my husband and I was taken 7 years ago ( I should have cropped the caption because it is outdated) Changes, since that photo, include losing four pounds to a 110 and shorter hair with more grey in it.Honestly, lots more grey. I really don't wrinkle, but I do sag. I won't ever do botox nor surgery; but I will do a touch of make-up.My clothing could be updated some but if it isn't necessary, I'm basically a comfy clothing creature.

Outside help: Should I print out a resume and cover letter and send it to temp agencies? Maybe we just e-mail the information?

What to do?!?! Somebody PUHLEEZE make suggestions! Not a clue here... but if I don't do something soon, retail might start looking good.

Darn it! If Hillary can run for prez, surely I can find a fun job.

About the author: Devonia is an artist, designer whose art, furniture and paintings are available under the eBay id - many*shades*of*shabby

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Comments 1-6 of 6

Posted by popesmom Mon Jul 7, 2008 8:09am PDT

You sound wonderful. I wish you could sell me your energy and passion for life. If you live in a neighborhood I am betting their are parents everywhere that would pay good $ for some before and after school care. You would have all day to do what ever and then for a couple hrs in the after noon you could do crafts and eat cookies with some children. OR you could do some classes for some kids on painting or crafting. My niece has a class with a woman because my sister doesn't really like scrapbooking. They pay by the hr. She loves it.

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Posted by laura Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:47pm PDT

I'm a 50 year old floral designer wanting to make a change. My kids are now out of the house and my youngest daughter is soon going to Iraq. I need to keep mind busy and spread my wings. I guess Im trying to figure out (little late in life) what I want to be when I grow up. So, when you figure it out PLEASE fill me in.

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Posted by Many Shades of Shabby by Devonia Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:41am PDT

Great suggestion popesmom. Thank you! I'll put this option on my list of possibities!
Laura: You and me both. We need to find some way to take advantage of this new found freedom and spread our wings. Now me... I've never considered floral designing- I'd like to know more! . Open a blog and share!

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Posted by laura Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:32pm PDT

shads of shabby: Floral design has been great to me at a time when I needed a more flexible schedule for my family. The thing I really have loved about it is that you get to be a small part of the big things in peoples lives weddings, parties, graduations and even difficult memorial services they say "But the flowers were beautiful". I highly recommend it and its a fairly quick education. Check with the florists in your area and see what school they hire designers from. As for me. Maybe its a midlife crisis. Who knows, I just want a change. See what else is out there? For the first time in 25 years it can be all about me. We'll see maybe I'll end up going back to florals. Who knows.

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Posted by cj_peisley Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:05pm PDT

You seem fabulous. I think you should offer an adult education class at the local community college with one of your talents. See, the class would be short lived like 6 weeks, so if you changed your mind you could offer a different talent the next time. Like cooking or crafts or even job hunting. I would come to a class of yours. and by the way, you look great.

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Posted by Many Shades of Shabby by Devonia Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:37pm PDT

Laura, I've always kinda wanted to do something with florals (besides just paint 'em) :). I can already make a mean bow - lol. I used to do demos at the MJDesigns stores to introduce my new pattern lines which were loaded with bows and novelties. It was always a hoot to me that of all the things that I was showing - it was always making the bows that caught their attention and made them beg "Show me!". I wasn't kidding about blogging and sharing your floral expertise, Laura, you could introduce me to the art! Wish you would...
cj_peisley: I'm in Dallas and our community college students are into way-out things like wierd collage stuff that I'm not certain if more traditional art classes would make or not. I was the art/marketing director for FUN/Ed, a private adult education facility, with over 350 classes. We had many art classes, but, again... most were for faux painting, sculpturing face/body masks, pottery, and blowing glass. We had one man that taught beautiful watercolors but he only had a very few students. That's sad, I think... that these students reach for such sophisticated arty classes bypassing traditional art that will most likely outlast the others. I sure do appreciate the encouragement though - and will check the local community college catalogs to see if there is a change in the trends. I NEED, seriously, to have an outside "something"... hubby is underfoot now and worse than a baby. Thank you for the compliment. :)
My bests to you both. Thank you for your comments. Devonia

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Comments 1-6 of 6

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