How much we pack into our days

It seems to me that life has become constantly busy. Maybe I want to achieve too much, more than time allows, or maybe it’s something else?

It has made me think about the concept of working all your life, then stopping and how that might feel to some of you.

I was never one for conforming to a normal career path and at times I have rued my lack of ambition or drive towards a secure financial future. I’m an artist and this has somewhat prevented that career path from taking a straight line! As a somewhat impulsive person who jumps into new experiences, this has not resulted in a linear path to success or a healthy pension pot!

Our daughter left home 3 years ago and I never once felt ‘empty nest syndrome’. I guess just having one child meant I wasn’t in the child raising tunnel for as long as some people but because I had my art business, I found I had more headspace for momentum and productivity. Of course I missed my daughter and long to see her, but having the space to create, uninterrupted is bliss.

However, my 90yr old mum lives next door so has seamlessly filed that void. My mum is a sweetheart and having been self employed as antique dealers all their lives, my parents knew how self employment felt. She gets it and is happy I have such a life. She gives me the space to be busy and run my business and puts no pressure on me which I really appreciate.

I do think it’s very important that we allow ourselves time to indulge in the things we really enjoy.

Since turning 60+ I feel like free time for travel and new experiences is becoming even more limited.

I fill my days, weeks and months growing my art business which gives me a great sense of satisfaction. The hours I have put in to building and maintaining my website, the seo ( search engine optimisation) social media, awareness of what I am making, keeping shops and galleries topped up, photography, graphic design etc are immense. But I know it is good for my brain, I am compelled to do it and enjoy the rewards. I love making human connections with my customers and take such pride in the fact that they tell me how much they love my work.

As retirement seems like a vague concept in 6 years time, I imagine that I will never officially retire. It doesn’t make sense to just stop what I’m doing and ‘slow down’.

So if you are heading that way, find yourself a hobby or two, start filling your heart and mind with enjoyable activities that will carry you into your later years and give you purpose and a sense of accomplishment. You never know, one day you may wake up at 80 and feel ‘nourished’, content and glad you kept so busy!