The stressful part was supposed to be over, yet there I lay at 3 a.m. almost in a panic over what to do next: expand our travel business, start painting again, start a couple of commercial building projects, exercise regularly, travel, learn Spanish, Italian and/or Portuguese, learn the violin (maybe)….
The sale of our second generation printing business just closed. After almost a year long process of vetting potential buyers to align with our desire to insure the future of the company and it’s employees, an in depth due diligence process, and an almost excruciating legal process, the company that’s been part of my entire life now belongs to someone else. I literally got paid with ice cream when I started helping my Dad there.
My husband and I both have International Business degrees, worked in Memphis for a few years, then returned home to run Art Advertising in 1995 when Dad was ready to retire. We grew it from having 4 employees to just under 50. The company is still growing, and at a point of being ready to “go to the next level”. While wanting to see that happen, we also realized the dedication and stress of taking it there, and decided it was time for us to exit.
I’ve known that men’s careers are often a huge part of their identity, but never really thought that of myself. More so; I’m a Christ follower, a mom, a wife, an artist, a volunteer, and an adventurer with a side business travel agency. But now – an empty nester without a full time job, I realize how big a part of my life running the company was. I have had a real job since I started at a video store when I was 14 years old – over 40 years ago. The abrupt ending of that is quite terrifying.
In our mid-50’s, we’re not ready to “retire” yet, which is good because I don’t sit still well and there are still so many things I want to do. After a few deep breaths and a prayer, I realized that early morning laying awake in bed, that it doesn’t all have to be done immediately. So, I laid out a 6 month plan. The first month to help transition the company and get our home office organized. Month two was to focus on wellness. In month three, I was going to start painting again, but my attempts have been rather pitiful. So, I seem to be dipping my toes into several other projects like uploading my travel photos to a stock site while I decide how to spend the bulk of my time.
Last month, my daughter and I went to a wellness retreat (details on that in a future post) where I was very fortunate to meet the fabulous Veronica Lynn Clark. One of the things she said that has really stuck with me is that I now “have the freedom to create the life I truly want” in this next season of life. Freedom to create what I want life to look like. Every time I think about this, I picture sitting at a café on the bank of the Siene in Paris with a notebook and pen. When she asked me why I was focusing on wellness, I easily answered for longevity and quality of life. We have aging parents, and I want to be able to travel well and climb the stairs in Cinque Terre.
I’ve really been thinking through this and trying to apply it on a practical level. Slowing down to see the beauty in the world, at home and as we travel. Taking time to wander, not aimlessly, but like one wanders through a beautiful garden or a gallery of great art. Pausing long enough to really appreciate things and experience new places more thoroughly. Setting aside time to explore new ways of creating and to learn new things.
And so begins this blog ‘Creative Wanders Life’. I hope you’ll join me in this new stage in my journey. I hope it inspires you to find your own creative sparks and to travel with curiosity. We’ll look at ways to stay healthy and active, to keep learning, and maybe even revisit the dreams we had when we were young, when the future seemed full of possibilities. – Perhaps it is again.
Here’s a glimpse of upcoming themes:
Prioritizing the “Bucket List” and really doing it.
Travel reviews, tips and adventures both near and far.
Art and creative living.
Wellness and mindfulness in midlife.
Lessons learned on this evolving path.
If you’ve ever wondered what comes after the big transition — the career, the kids, the ‘busy years’ — this space is for you. I’d love to hear from you.