How I Started Living After Retirement

…Or How I WANT To Live After Retirement

A blog about earning a living…

I feel bad that I spent my life not being happy with what I was doing for a living. I am sure many of you do. I simply could not stand living in mediocrity, and that’s exactly what I was doing. I simply could not stand working for someone else. I knew I would be my best boss.
So, I tried. I went the MLM route, many, many times. Eleven I can think of, maybe more. Maybe one does not count because I helped my mother? Maybe another does not count because I helped my husband? I helped him find other women, but that is another story, and I am a trusting soul.

 

Being a creative soul, as well, in my 20’s I made things and sold them. I made leather goods. Roach clips with fancy leather things hanging from them, leather bracelets with studs, leather necklaces with studs, braided leather belts, etc. I did some tooled things, as well. I made them and my significant other at the time sold them. We did well. I also made macramé wall hangings. Some were very elaborate and large. One was purchased by a hotel in Phoenix. I loved it!
My significant other at the time had a father in the trucking business. We got inner tubes from the tires, patched them up, aired them up and sold them for floating down the Salt River near Phoenix. Then we went to the outdoor flea markets and sold whatever. I would go to garage sales and purchase and sell at the flea market. You had to get up early to sell at the flea market. It was in a horseshoe shape and you parked at the stalls, which were provided with electricity. It was a great set up! Unlike some flea markets I have been to in other places.
In my 30’s I grew up, quit smoking pot, got religion and got down to working for a living. Still I missed my artistic endeavors. Oh, I had paying jobs in my 20s, where I paid my Social Security, too, but I jumped around.
I had some good jobs. I got a drafting job which I loved and never even had a drafting class! I got the job because they had me sit in a room and draw a diagram, giving me a few tools to do it with. Easy, I thought. I just drew it exactly like it was. Even though I was given no instructions beforehand, just draw it. These were the days right before CAD (computer aided drafting) was introduced and everything was done by hand. Did I mention I was left handed and one of the tools I used was only for right handed people? I don’t remember what it was called, but it was a contraption that went across the desk and had all kinds of fonts and numbers on long bars.  I did it! However, I was laid off from that job due to CAD and being bought by another company.  Life is like that.
Other jobs followed. I am well rounded.
Then the entrepreneurship started again. I went back to garage sales and this time it was in the antique world. I was on eBay and doing well part time… until 2008.  The crash not only divested us of our savings but also effected our eBay business!  It was fun while it lasted. Before that I shared space with other antique dealers in retail stores. Never made a lot but got by and loved it!
Then in the last days of my various careers, I was an Executive Assistant. I was creative in getting that position with no experience. I did very well at it and I am glad it is over. It is a very stressful (for me) position to have if you are not suited for it. I did it well but was unhappy for the most part.
It ended the year that stress sent me to the hospital twice. One time we thought I was having a stroke. That is also another story for another time. No stroke just extreme stress. Maybe some would call it a nervous breakdown?
So here I am 5 years later, stress free (somewhat) wondering what to do with myself. I make beaded jewelry, but I quickly learned that doesn’t make a lot of money. I want to try some other crafts, but I don’t have space. I thought I would try my hand at writing.
So, this is it. My inaugural announcement that I am becoming a writer.  Well, since I have completed several postings before this, maybe I am already a writer!
First installment. Are you ready for more?