Hi there! Everything you talked about, the questioning of the way we live our lives in North America, the trappings of success, the "golden handcuffs", has been on my mind for a while. Last year, at 53, I sold my home, left my dental practice, and moved from the big city back to my hometown, nestled between the mountains and the water. My soul is so happy! I am still figuring everything out, but my transition project has been renovating a beach place that the universe put on my path and that has helped immensely with healing my burned out soul. As the renovations finish up, I now need to make some next steps....dentistry or a new, less stressful business, to live the next years with more joy and spontaneity???
Hi Lisa! I’m sorry I am just now responding. I’m still learning how this platform works and seeing messages! What an inspiring story you shared.
I think many of us are in this same boat of questioning our lives and what lights our soul not just what keeps the lights our houses. With the trees all around you, I know you will be guided to your next steps in life! I’m so glad you are here and share more of your journey if you feel led to!
You got me at 'as a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser' as I've written exactly the same thing! I was 61 when I burned out and we sold our house and 99% of our possessions to have a narrow boat built to live on. We travel the UK canal system, though we're currently in Tenerife for a month to get away from the cold weather in the UK and enjoy the sunshine. I'm now 67, healing in lots of ways and learning to finally be me. It's been a long and difficult few years, but today I did my morning yoga practice on the beach and we've just got back from a walk that turned into gin and tonics and tapas overlooking the ocean! I am fully retired, but live with gratitude and an open mind and heart ❤️
Ps my SS page is called Saved by Grace; Grace is the name of our boat, but my name is Karen 😉
We can relate to everything that you are saying. We didn't wait until 65 to change our lives. But as entrepreneurs owning and managing multiple companies, we couldn't just knock off. It took us the best part of 6 years and some major decisions to reorganize our lives and live the way we currently do.
We live in our home in Brussels for about 7 months a year and somewhere else in the world for the other 5. We rent short term, live like locals, and work from where we are in stints of 4 to 8 weeks. We look for unique and authentic places to stay, and we document our experiences. Reinhilde photographs and I write. We're not about the obvious or luxurious. We're not influencers either. It's about finding beauty in the everyday things that are mostly overlooked, and sharing that with others.
Our first book was published in August 2024 and is sold around the world.
We are tremendously fortunate and sometimes have to pinch ourselves to find out if it all true. And every time that we're on the road, or when we work on photos and texts, we know it's real and hope it'll go on for a long time.
Well, this is certainly inspiring! Thank you for sharing how you are living your retirement lifestyle right now and getting to design a life you love. Nothing could be better! Congrats on finding a beautiful way to live! I know there is a book in me somewhere too... :)
My hair is just as curly as yours (though I’d apparently blown it dry and used hot rollers in my profile pic 🙄) so it’s SO EASY for me to imagine myself with your dream! I’m 65. My husband is 78. I’m ready for that quality of life change—he’s afraid of it. We must sync up our dreams! 🥰
Curly hair girls unite!! 🙌🏻. I sometimes do the occasional straight do too. Yes, it truly is a quality of life change. My husband and I had many long conversations about it for a few months before we had the courage to leap! Keep talking about it 😊
Great post, it's crazy how losing a friend or family member too early can completely change your perspective on life. It's all about the journey, the milestones are just guiding lights to keep us on track but it's up to us how we get there and/or if we get there at all or decide to go somewhere else!
It totally sounds like you’re talking to me. I grapple with many of the same questions. I have a good well balanced life compared to most but there is always that little inner voice nudging me towards something different.
Well mine are all adults now so I don’t have the same issue, but understand. Although as a homeschool mom of times past, the world is a great teacher 🙌🏻
Hi there! Everything you talked about, the questioning of the way we live our lives in North America, the trappings of success, the "golden handcuffs", has been on my mind for a while. Last year, at 53, I sold my home, left my dental practice, and moved from the big city back to my hometown, nestled between the mountains and the water. My soul is so happy! I am still figuring everything out, but my transition project has been renovating a beach place that the universe put on my path and that has helped immensely with healing my burned out soul. As the renovations finish up, I now need to make some next steps....dentistry or a new, less stressful business, to live the next years with more joy and spontaneity???
I am so glad that I stumbled upon your page!
Hi Lisa! I’m sorry I am just now responding. I’m still learning how this platform works and seeing messages! What an inspiring story you shared.
I think many of us are in this same boat of questioning our lives and what lights our soul not just what keeps the lights our houses. With the trees all around you, I know you will be guided to your next steps in life! I’m so glad you are here and share more of your journey if you feel led to!
No worries! There is never a rush to respond....
I will keep you posted!
I love that! Chicago is my “home” in the U.S. where our kids are. Enjoy!!
You got me at 'as a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser' as I've written exactly the same thing! I was 61 when I burned out and we sold our house and 99% of our possessions to have a narrow boat built to live on. We travel the UK canal system, though we're currently in Tenerife for a month to get away from the cold weather in the UK and enjoy the sunshine. I'm now 67, healing in lots of ways and learning to finally be me. It's been a long and difficult few years, but today I did my morning yoga practice on the beach and we've just got back from a walk that turned into gin and tonics and tapas overlooking the ocean! I am fully retired, but live with gratitude and an open mind and heart ❤️
Ps my SS page is called Saved by Grace; Grace is the name of our boat, but my name is Karen 😉
I love this so much, Karen! Thank you for sharing part of your journey!
Hi fellow nomad.
We can relate to everything that you are saying. We didn't wait until 65 to change our lives. But as entrepreneurs owning and managing multiple companies, we couldn't just knock off. It took us the best part of 6 years and some major decisions to reorganize our lives and live the way we currently do.
We live in our home in Brussels for about 7 months a year and somewhere else in the world for the other 5. We rent short term, live like locals, and work from where we are in stints of 4 to 8 weeks. We look for unique and authentic places to stay, and we document our experiences. Reinhilde photographs and I write. We're not about the obvious or luxurious. We're not influencers either. It's about finding beauty in the everyday things that are mostly overlooked, and sharing that with others.
Our first book was published in August 2024 and is sold around the world.
We are tremendously fortunate and sometimes have to pinch ourselves to find out if it all true. And every time that we're on the road, or when we work on photos and texts, we know it's real and hope it'll go on for a long time.
Enjoy nomadism.
Reinhilde & Hans
Well, this is certainly inspiring! Thank you for sharing how you are living your retirement lifestyle right now and getting to design a life you love. Nothing could be better! Congrats on finding a beautiful way to live! I know there is a book in me somewhere too... :)
Not quite retirement... It seems as if we're working just as hard, but—even though we both have always enjoyed our work—we are more free now.
Love your comment about "running towards a life that makes more sense". Happy to have discovered your Substack! Lots to reflect on.
So glad you are here! Let’s lace up those running shoes!
My hair is just as curly as yours (though I’d apparently blown it dry and used hot rollers in my profile pic 🙄) so it’s SO EASY for me to imagine myself with your dream! I’m 65. My husband is 78. I’m ready for that quality of life change—he’s afraid of it. We must sync up our dreams! 🥰
Curly hair girls unite!! 🙌🏻. I sometimes do the occasional straight do too. Yes, it truly is a quality of life change. My husband and I had many long conversations about it for a few months before we had the courage to leap! Keep talking about it 😊
“What if retirement isn't a date but a way of living? “
I’m on a flight from Austin to Chicago. I just read your piece and you can bet I’m going to be thinking about it the entire flight.
Great post, it's crazy how losing a friend or family member too early can completely change your perspective on life. It's all about the journey, the milestones are just guiding lights to keep us on track but it's up to us how we get there and/or if we get there at all or decide to go somewhere else!
Yes, so very true. It can put life into perspective and making bold moves less scary. We are able to shift at any time but we sometimes forget that. 💫
It sounds like heaven 🙏
It totally sounds like you’re talking to me. I grapple with many of the same questions. I have a good well balanced life compared to most but there is always that little inner voice nudging me towards something different.
I think it’s built into our DNA to explore 💫
I’m inspired by your story, but not sure where I would put the kids!!
Well mine are all adults now so I don’t have the same issue, but understand. Although as a homeschool mom of times past, the world is a great teacher 🙌🏻
This is everything! On a similar journey and excited to follow yours.
Thank You, Amy! I am excited about your journey! And welcome!
This is incredible and thank you for this subscription. I appreciate the shares!!
Brava Jada
Thank you!
How delightful to discover you, and i think you're MAHVALOUS, my love!
Thank you for that!
I think you are living a lot of our dreams!
I hope to be a gadfly to encourage everyone to live their own dreams!