Regular readers might recall that I’ve had this long-running background project. You know the one: the Sort Your Life Out By The Time You’re Forty thing. And so it was – on this day that, according to the cliché, my life begins – I found myself writing this in an e-mail message earlier:
“And is it sorted? Hell, yeah. Health & wellbeing restored, family & friends now the centre of my life, creativity my core value rather than just that weird hobby that I don’t talk about, flexible approach to career & finance (and, miraculously, enough money to live on despite the outward appearance of not doing much at all) and home & household environment de-junked and running smoothly.”
So I guess that’s it, mission accomplished. Now it gets interesting.
Wow. I am so jealous right now I think I might implode.
So are you going to tell us how you did it or did I miss that post?
Well, you’d have to read about eighteen months’ worth of posts to get the full story. The abridged version goes a bit like this…
I left my job of sixteen years in May of last year, for a combination of reasons that boiled down to long-term dissatisfaction with that type of role in that type of company and short-term stress caused by reporting to a new line manager whose views were almost totally opposed to mine.
I took a career break for the remaining seven months of the year, during which I got back into swimming five times a week, which helped me to lose weight and get fit again. I travelled around and spent considerable amounts of very enjoyable time with family & friends. I lay on the beach for a bit.
I sorted out my personal archive (music, books, DVDs, cassettes, videos, etc.) and cleared my head by dumping about 10 black dustbin bags of stuff. I completely indulged my passion for music and also spent plenty of time reading, writing, taking pictures and visiting art galleries.
I took a couple of meditation courses. I sat back and reviewed my career to date and started to explore some of my wilder ideas about what I’d like to do next (property development, psychology & teaching were contenders). Then an ex-colleague asked if I’d help with his company’s IT and website.
I started freelancing with this company in January of this year. I’ve also picked up a couple of other clients. I’ve worked basically on a part-time basis, focusing on a mixture of technical and web projects. I’ve continued to prioritise time spent with friends & family and on arts & cultural stuff.
Over the past few months, I’ve started to take my writing more seriously and I’ve made efforts to broaden the scope of what I do, rather than just sticking to blogging. This has coincided with me building a website for a life coach, who in turn has worked with me to improve my confidence in this area.
I used to be very cautious and risk-averse. The type of approach that I now advocate to life – leap, and the net will appear – would have scared me stiff two years ago. I’ve come a long way. If there was any secret, it was simply that I became more flexible and tried things out to see what happened.
That’s seriously great, Hg. And if I have read you correctly: HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY!
Thanks Mike. I’ve been considering doing some kind of 40 In 40 series. Not entirely sure how it’s going to pan out yet, but the most appealing idea is (of course) 40 For 40 – the forty albums that have made the most impact on me over the past four decades.
While it’s a terrible thing to project yourself onto others, as someone who’s undergone some rather big yet logical changes since turning 35 this gives me hope for the next five years. Previously I’d have thought “sorting my shit out by 40″ would be a fanciful pipe-dream. This makes it seem a little more achievable. So thanks.
And yes, happy birthday sir!
Marvellous. Congratulations.
I ditched the rat race about 7-8 years ago, can completely and utterly recommend it to anyone.
Thanks for the insight, Hg.
Some of the things – actually quite a few of the things – you mentioned are gnawing at the back of my mind currently and have been for awhile. It’s good to know it worked out so well for you. Enjoy it.
Cheers Pete. Of course, you’ve not exactly been wallowing in inertia over the past few years, have you? (You might have had weeks, months even, when it felt like that – but look at the overall story arc.) You’ve been quite the inspiration, in many ways. OK, so I didn’t go and work on a farm, but nevertheless I’ve taken note of many of your experiences over the past few years and they’ve fed in to my own actions in one way or another. So, thank you too.
Thanks Brenda – in the same spirit as my comment to Pete above, it’s always great to hear about other people’s experiences.
Ani – ta. Of course, it’s very simple for me to give the impression that I’m “sorted” and have everything worked out. Not the case at all, merely that these big, round-number birthdays give you an opportunity to ask “Is it all going in the right direction?” To that one I can at least honestly answer yes, even if I don’t have a clue what the ultimate destination is going to be (apart from a box 6ft under, or a puff of grey smoke!).
Belated best returns and all that (I’m still catching up, amazing what 3 days ‘away’ can do).
Suffice to say that YOU are an inspiration to more than you probably realise. Here’s to the next 40 eh!
Gordon – thanks. One of my birthday cards came with a badge that says “FAB AT 40″. That’s how I feel
Happy very belated, Hg. Your bravery is inspiring, and your happiness is very well deserved indeed.
Big hugs. xx
I love how this is just one big love fest.
“You’re an inspiration.”
“No, you’re an inspiration.”
“No, you’re an inspiration.”
It’s all very internet!
Meg – thanks. We really must get that drink organised.
Pete – I love how you love this. It’s so inspiring.
God, this comments box is turning into MySpace.
I said above that one of the things that helped me to change my lifestyle was to push myself to become more flexible and open to change. Today, Zen Habits has published a great post on this subject. Many of the ten listed techniques are things that I’ve done over the past eighteen months that I would have found more difficult previously. A worthwhile read.