Amy Kennedy The Creative Crone

Really what I’m writing about is making plans for after retirement, I know for me, I’ve been on a countdown to retirement and although I have BIG plans for when I no longer have to work, I hadn’t really made plans as to what retirement would look like and feel like for me.

I’m not burying the lead, how do I want to be in the world?

I am planning a YouTube channel. I KNOW! I have soooo many things that my little brain is working on, but hear me out: I’m doing it to help me BEFORE retirement, we (or I) have had my eyes on the retirement horizon for awhile now, and I realized I had kind of romanticized it and what about life right now? Do I simply go through the motions of working and living until that magical day of retirement? And what do I actually want my days to look like, so this is a way to be on the road to retirement while still enjoying the trip.

The (tentative) name of the channel is:

Aging Audaciously: undefining life after 60

I figure, it will help me be the me I know I am. So, there you have it.

First, getting our literal house in order.

We recently made a pretty big (financially) decision to replace all our windows, they were original to the house which my husband and his dad built in the early 1980s. (Aside) This is how my brain works: 1980s, yeah, so? That was over 50 years ago! We did replace a few of the windows (just the glass part and screens) But none of the frames.

I had been been investing almost the max from my paycheck for retirement, but have pulled back in order to pay off the windows early–we don’t want any interest payments! Side note, we haven’t dodged interest payments, just not as many as we would have had.

I understand how privileged we are to first of all, own a house and also to have paid it off. I know lots of financial experts recommend not paying off your house, but if you’ve ever met my husband you’ll know he can’t put things off (Aries Sun).

Next, getting my figurative house in order.

I read Minimalista by Shira Gill–I heard her talk on a couple of podcasts and loved her attitude and decided to read the book, even though our house is clean–we have a whole Sunday ritual for cleaning our house–but I read it and low and behold, I am a secret hoarder. Yes. Gosh. Little pockets of chaos.

Needless to say, it has been a work in progress, I have donated so many things, I have organized closets and drawers, and then organized them again…anyway, it shone a big old light on my tendencies, which I continue to work through. But also, allowing myself a few pockets of chaos, because that’s where surprises seem to lurk.

Really looking at my HEALTH.

Started talking to a Health and Wellness coach and I now have a health vision for myself. One thing I’ll share is alone time on my porch at least 7 times a week is a prescription. I’m also keeping up on my varied physicals: Dermatologist, Ophthalmologist, Dentist, Family Physician, Gynecologist. It’s a lot, but I know if I don’t stay on top of these, literal years can go by between visits.

I started trying to eat more protein, especially in the morning, which is hard because I don’t really like eating when I first get up and I’m a part time vegan, mainly vegetarian (these days). I’ve done some vegan protein powder shakes (30g when I mix with Soy milk), I have to confess, low key hate them.

I think I have to redefine what a healthy lifestyle is for me, not for the dude at the gym.

So, that wraps this post up, I’d love to hear about any milestone points in your life and how you’re thinking about them.

And remember, be brave and love each other, Amy