I am back..not writing as much as I would like to this year...but trying to do my best...Have been thinking a lot about the next phase of my life...retirement...what would I do...when can I retire...I am 52...I am already thinking of this. A lot of this is due to jealousy of my spouse who is 10 years older than I and has already retired...he was fortunate to do this at 59....some of it had to do with health issues and just plan old being the oldest dog in the rat race where he worked....he is probably the most happiest I have ever seen him in the 24 years we have been together....he still works 2 half days a week at a hardware store....and has a very small business..( this is really just a hobby with tax right off benefits)...but he gets up everyday and just does what he wants to do...mostly his day starts as going to visit a group of men his age who hang out at a pool supply store...he stays there til lunch...eats lunch there (usually chinese order out) then comes home...takes a nap then gets into stuff around the house.
So I think what would I do if I retire....well first off I have to get there...I am thinking another 6-10 years...if I wait til 62...I am going to hang up my stethoscope collect my pension and ssi and just relax...if retire earlier ...will have to work part time...
But then I think...I really love what I do...I know there are days I am totally drained and just had enough...but I come home...have a relaxing night..go to sleep and back to work the next day ready for more...I have come to realize that what I am doing now is what I was made to do...I have come such a long way in my personnel and professional life that in hindsight...this is it...I really struggled in the past to become an NP ...but once I made the decision to go back to school I was really dedicated to get through....this was another story I will tell next time..the hardship I faced personally when I was going to school...even when I first started practicing I faced some challenges...first I could not find a full time job...so I had to work 2 part time jobs to make a full time job..then I was so unsure of myself in what I was doing...it took me at least 2 years to fell comfortable in a family practice...then I decide to really switch things up and work in a VA with elderly complex medical patients....I have been through many challenges and learning curves...I fell very good of where I am now in my life and profession...granted I still need to read and educate myself ...but I really feel good...retirement is a goal ....they say you will know when you are ready...I am not ready yet... but dreaming doesn't hurt....
