Redisovering Myself: The start of a sudden Retirement

Tag: blog

  • “I’m 67 and Have No Idea Who I Am (And That’s Okay)

    So here I am at 67, staring at a calendar full of absolutely nothing, and honestly? It’s terrifying. For decades, I’ve been Mom, Wife, Employee, Volunteer Coordinator, Chief Household Manager, and Professional Worrier. Now suddenly I’m just… me. But who the heck is that?

    The Great Passion Hunt (Spoiler Alert: It’s Messier Than Expected)

    Everyone keeps asking, “Are you getting to spend a lot of time on all your passions?” Um, excuse me? The last time I had a passion that wasn’t related to keeping someone else alive, fed, or out of trouble was probably 1982 when I was really into shoulder pads.

    I’ve been trying to rediscover my interests like some sort of archaeological dig through my own soul. So far I’ve unearthed:

    • A dusty easel from my “artistic phase” (lasted three weeks)
    • Recipe books I bought but never opened (apparently I was going to become a gourmet chef)
    • Boxes full of unfinished sewing and cross-stitch projects

    The problem is that for the past 40-something years, my biggest passion has been making sure everyone else could pursue theirs. Now they’re telling me it’s “my turn,” and I’m over here like a deer in headlights, except the deer is wearing sensible shoes and has no idea what it wants to be when it grows up.

    The Identity Crisis No One Warned Me About

    Turns out, when you spend most of your adult life being defined by your relationships to other people, figuring out who you are solo is like trying to remember your password from 2003. You know it’s in there somewhere, but good luck accessing it.

    The Art of Prioritizing Absolutely Everything (Because Everything Is Now Possible)

    The freedom is overwhelming. Do I finally learn French? Take up pottery? Travel to places where I can’t pronounce the food? Join that book club where they actually read the books? Start a podcast about how confused I am?

    I made a list of all the things I’ve always wanted to do. It’s currently 47 items long and includes everything from “learn to tango” to “organize the junk drawer” (yes, I put that on my passion list – judge me). The problem is that when everything is possible, how do you choose anything?

    I’ve started prioritizing by the “Why Not?” method. Someone suggests watercolor classes? Why not? Someone mentions a workout group? Why not? Friend talks about volunteer work at the animal shelter? Why not? At this rate, I’ll be busier than I was when I had a job and three teenagers.

    Does It Really Matter at 67?

    Here’s the thing that’s both liberating and slightly depressing: at 67, I’ve reached the age where a lot of things just don’t matter anymore.

    Do I care if I’m not good at pottery? Nope. Will I worry about looking foolish in that dance class? Not really. Am I concerned about starting over in a completely new field? Surprisingly, no.

    There’s something wonderfully freeing about reaching the age where you realize that most of the stuff you spent years worrying about was just noise. Will I master the guitar at 67? Probably not. Will I have fun making terrible sounds and annoying everyone else? Absolutely.

    The beauty of being 67 and suddenly free is that failure isn’t scary anymore – it’s just data. Bad at painting? Now I know. Terrible at yoga? Good information. Can’t remember the steps to line dancing? Join the club (literally – apparently, forgetting the steps is part of the charm).

    The Plot Twist: Maybe I’m Already Enough

    Here’s what I’m slowly figuring out: maybe the point isn’t to discover some hidden passion I’ve been suppressing for decades. Maybe the point is to realize that the person who spent 40 years taking care of everyone else is actually pretty amazing, and now she gets to take care of herself.

    Maybe my passion is finally sleeping in without guilt. Maybe it’s reading entire books without interruption. Maybe it’s having conversations that don’t involve schedules, carpools, or anyone else’s problems.

    Or maybe my passion is writing rambling blog posts about how confused I am and discovering that other people are just as confused, which somehow makes it all feel less scary and more like an adventure.

    The Bottom Line (Or What I’m Telling Myself Today)

    At 67, I’m learning that reinventing yourself doesn’t have to mean becoming someone completely new. Sometimes it just means finally having the time and space to be the person you always were underneath all those other roles.

    And if that person wants to take up beekeeping, learn Italian, and eat ice cream for breakfast? Well, why not? I’ve earned the right to be exactly as weird and wonderful as I want to be.

    Besides, at my age, what’s the worst that could happen? I might actually enjoy myself.

    So here’s to all of us who are suddenly free and completely terrified. Here’s to finding out that “I don’t know” might just be the most honest answer we’ve given in decades.

    And here’s to discovering that maybe – just maybe – the best plot twist of all is finally becoming the main character in your own story.

    Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a junk drawer calling my name. Apparently, some passions really don’t die.

  • Breaking Into TikTok as a Senior: The Side Hustle Struggle 

    A few months ago, a friend of mine—who’s in her 40s—told me she was making a few hundred dollars a week from a side hustle on TikTok. She was posting fun, casual videos, gaining followers, and watching the money roll in. “It’s easy!” she said. “You can do this! You just need to get to 5K followers.”
    “It won’t take long!”
    I love her optimism.

    So, I created an account, posted a few videos, and… seven weeks later, I’m still stuck at 1,700 followers.
    Meanwhile, other friends? They hit 5,000 in 2 weeks tops. What gives?

    I keep asking myself, “Do I need to be a hip 20-something to make this work?” (Spoiler alert: I’m definitely not). They’re cruising along while I’m here, trying to figure out which filter makes me look less like I just woke up from a nap. It’s like they have the social media secret sauce, and I’m still searching for the recipe.

    I’ve also been experimenting with Instagram and trying to grow my blog—because, of course, every senior needs a blog about navigating life post-retirement, right? But as I juggle all of this, I can’t help but wonder: Is this side hustle even worth it? The extra income sounds good, but does it justify the time spent figuring out hashtags and mastering TikTok dances my knees just don’t seem to want to do?


    Well, a few hundred dollars a week sounded good! Who wouldn’t want to make a little extra income without diving into a full-time gig? The idea of extra cash was too tempting to pass up.

    But then I got on TikTok and quickly realized that it’s not just about dancing to viral songs or lip-syncing to movie clips. No, it’s about creating content that actually resonates with people. And let me tell you—trying to film myself without my phone falling over or my dog walking across the screen is a true art form.


    TikTok’s algorithm doesn’t care that I’m a senior. It doesn’t look at me and say, “Oh, she’s 65—let’s put her content at the bottom of the feed.” Instead, it focuses on engagement—how many likes, shares, and comments your videos get. So, I’m not being excluded because of my age. But still, it feels like I’m trying to play catch-up while everyone else is on the express train.

    There are days when I look at my follower count and think, “Is this really worth all the hours I’ve spent trying to get this just right?” After all, retirement is supposed to be the time where I can do whatever I want—like enjoying coffee without wondering how many likes it will get on Instagram.

    But then I remember why I started: extra income. A little extra cash could make life even sweeter—whether it’s spoiling my grandkids or treating myself to something fun. Am I getting rich? Not even close. But am I having fun and learning something new every day? You bet!


    Here’s the Truth –     building an audience doesn’t happen overnight—especially with TikTok’s unpredictable algorithm. Sure, my friends are posting videos that are always on trend and getting a ton of views, while I’m over here wondering if I’m supposed to use hashtags like #GrandmaDoesTikTok or #SeniorGoals. (Do those even exist? Should I make them up?)

    It’s a process. And that process involves a lot of trial and error. I’ve posted plenty of videos that flopped, and yes, I’ve probably shared a few that made my grandkids want to crawl under the couch in embarrassment. But hey, at least I’m trying, right?

    The good news is—it’s not about going viral overnight. It’s about finding what works, being consistent, and most importantly, having fun. TikTok, Instagram, and blogging are all about experimenting with different ideas and figuring out what clicks. My path might be slower than others, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the ride.
    Can we still find success without sacrificing our freedom?

    The answer is: Yes! It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A side hustle doesn’t mean you have to give up your leisurely walks in the park, your afternoon naps, or your coffee dates with friends. It’s about finding that perfect balance where you can earn a little extra cash, stay creative, and still have plenty of time to enjoy life.

    Plus, let’s be real: A side hustle is a great way to feel like you’re part of the digital age. It’s a modern hobby that pays off—without the need for knitting needles or collecting stamps (no offense to knitters or stamp collectors). If you can learn to navigate TikTok, Instagram, or blogging, you’re staying sharp, staying relevant, and having fun with technology.
    I won’t lie—TikTok and side hustles have been a lot more work than I expected. But the journey has been rewarding. I’m not just doing this for the money (though that part doesn’t hurt), I’m doing it because it’s fun, it keeps me connected, and it challenges me to keep learning. And that’s a good thing right?

    “What’s your side hustle dream?” or “Have you tried TikTok or Instagram as a side hustle? Share your thoughts (or tips!) in the comments below!”