For the majority of my life, I have measured time by schedules, deadlines, responsibilities and obligations.  My calendar drove my days, weeks, months, years and often was filled to the breaking point with over busyness.  My sense of purpose has been deeply intwined within my work.  I have spent 46 years caring for others, solving problems, meeting/exceeding expectations and showing up whenever or where ever I was needed.  I have been constantly doing as a nurse and leader.

Now I am just days away from my retirement date.  After planning for my retirement for over a year, I can, without a doubt, say that it is a profound transition---one that can feel both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.

Such a major change has a way of stirring up conflicting emotions.  On the one hand, there is excitement about the impending newfound freedom with endless possibilities.  On the other hand, there is uncertainty, fear, loss, impending grief, and questions about identity as well as purpose.  So many thoughts swirling around in my head:

• How will I spend my days?
• Who am I without my work/my title?
• What will give my life meaning going forward?
• Have I saved enough money to live comfortably?

This list could go on and on.

Any major life transition will challenge our sense of stability.  Retirement brings a shift in routine, social connections, purpose, financial considerations/concerns, and even impacts one’s self-worth. For those of us who have spent years being highly productive—or perhaps even workaholics (like me)—the absence of a structured schedule or plan can be initially unsettling.

For me, busyness became a way of life.  I became an expert at accomplishing, achieving, producing, and caring for others often at the expense of caring about or for myself.  As the tides begins shifting there are new questions arising:

• What if this season/chapter is not about doing more?
• What if it is about learning how to simply be?

Spending months thinking about retirement now, I can confidently say that the distinction between doing and being has powerful differences.  Doing focuses on productivity, accomplishments, and external expectations/other’s expectations.  Being focuses on presence, authenticity, reflection, and connection within oneself.  Retirement offers a rare opportunity to step away from maintaining everyone else’s schedule/expectations and beginning to listen to my own heart in a deeper, more meaningful way.  Additional questions that I have been pondering are:

• What nurtures my soul?
• What brings me joy?
• What have I postponed because life has been too busy?
• What dreams have been patiently waiting for my attention?

Let me tell you, it truly has been “hard” for me to allow myself to think about these questions.  With that being said, I have had to spend some time turning toward them and journaling answers.

Impending retirement has for me become an invitation to rediscover myself at a whole new level.

Another thing I know for sure as I am about to enter this new chapter in my life, is that refueling my heart will require intentional self-care and activities that nurture my spirit.

If you are going through a major life transition or contemplating retirement self-care/refueling your heart may need to include:

• Allowing yourself to grieve the loss of a familiar role and identity.
• Creating new routines that provide structure without rigidity.
• Spending time in nature to reconnect with peace and perspective.
• Prioritizing relationships that bring joy and meaning.
• Exploring hobbies, interests, and passions that may have been neglected.
• Practicing mindfulness and gratitude.
• Journaling about hopes, fears, and possibilities.
• Moving your body in ways that feel enjoyable and energizing.
• Giving yourself permission to rest without feeling the need to earn it.
• Choosing to just be instead of doing.
• Allowing playfulness to re-enter your life.
• Deciding that it is okay to put yourself at the top of your own “list.”
• Find ways to embrace the circumstances while letting go of expectations.
• Design your days around what matters most to you.
• Giving yourself permission to explore.
• Take time to feel your feelings.
• Embrace the need to rest/nap.
• Give yourself permission to dream again.

Ultimately, I understand that retirement is a season to reconnect with my values, rediscover my passions, and realign my life with what truly matters to me as a human being.  It is an opportunity to nurture the parts of myself that may have been waiting patiently beneath the years of responsibilities and obligations.  I also know that I am going to need to be gentle with myself.  Growth takes time.  New rhythms take time.  Rediscovering myself beyond my career will take time.

I hope that you have found this reflection helpful in some way.  Choose fully and allow yourself to live, love, grow, simply be through refueling your heart in the way that best works for you! 

Remember sometimes life’s transitions are not asking us to do more.  They are inviting us to become more fully ourselves—so embrace the journey!

 

This is my final blog post.  I want to express deep gratitude for those who have subscribed to this blog.  I wish you the best as you live your life!  Keep inspiring others and rippling on……. In gratitude, Cella

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cella Janisch-Hartline, RN, BSN, RN, BSN, PCC Professional Certified Coach, is the Nursing & Leadership Development Senior Manager​ for Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative has been involved in various healthcare industry leadership positions for the past 40 years. The majority of her career has been spent working in an acute care critical access facility for nearly 25 years. Throughout her work experience, she has learned most of her leadership skills and techniques through the school of “hard knocks”. Cella’s passion for teaching leadership tips and techniques earned her the 2018 Outstanding Educator Award through the National Rural Health Association. She is well-known for her humorous, engaging and personable facilitation style. Contact me:  chartline@rwhc.com 608-644-3235