For the last few years I have talked about the next phase of my life as my "second life". Now I know there is a huge virtual reality group that came along a while back and made that phrase quite famous, but I came up with it first, so this is my interpretation of what that means to me. For me, my "second life" denoted what my "intentional life" would be once I was able to leave the corporate/structured work life and live a life that I chose based more on my wants/needs. That life (now this life) was to be a life with much more freedom. My second life was a life that didn't have to be perfect (there is no such thing) but I wanted to live, really live before I leave this earth. I have found that most of my adult life has been lived to take care of others (and myself) and factored into that endeavor, to a smaller degree but still a component was measuring up to the societal acceptance and approval. At 51, I am at a place in my life that only my monthly living bills need to be paid consistently. Thankfully, I have paid off my debt and am only responsible for myself now with my only child being a grown man on his own. Therefore, my financial needs are modest. Also thankfully, I own my vehicle (not the bank) and I don't need a lot of material things to be happy. What I do need and for the most part want, I pretty much have at this point. I am a gadget gal, love technologies' fun and helpful delights. But I have been a single parent most of my life too, so I have never been one to spend a lot on anything. When I bought my Kindle (Amazon e-reader - love it by the way) I thought about it and reads zillions of reviews and researched it for 6 months before I actually broke down and bought it. That is typical of me. I don't buy items over about $30 without some major thought and research first. And with the Kindle as in other purchases/electronic gadgets/etcetera, I am happy with the version I purchased. I don't have to rush out to get the newest glossy, glitzy, updated version. So today, I am thankful for the preparations I have made (paying off debt, paying off vehicle, buying most of the things I need to take care of myself well with my "second life" plans) as well as having the mindset to move into a lifestyle in which I personally find more freedom, as opposed to staying within the accepted societal expectations only.
I have finally left my latest several year "corporate gig" as the overall operations, office and marketing manager of a professional tax consulting/tax law firm, to embrace simpler choices in my own life.This phase of my life has been something I have sought and planned in abstract for the last 20 years, and in more specific terms for the last 10 years. This past couple years I have literally planned what I needed to full time van dwell. (What RVers often refer to as "full-timing".)
I have a couple memberships that allow me use of a beautiful mountain/lake area for my home-base. I will have the use of satellite cable, water and full electrical hook-up as well as a wonderful community atmosphere. The area has many amenities and perks that work well with who I am. I am working on a "secret project" as well as doing some writing that I am expecting to support me. My needs are minimal, but I plan to be successful enough to help others along the way as well as take good care of myself. I am determined to take very good care of myself in the also extremely important areas of health and spirituality.
I will be announcing my "secret project" here within the next few weeks. I certainly hope you will join me in that unveiling! Thanks for sharing in this momentous new phase of my life. It only gets better from here. I will leave you with 2 quotes that say a lot to me as I take this continued journey: "Mistakes are the portals of discovery." -James Joyce & "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo DiVinci
