Semi‑Retirement Perks: Where Extra Margin is a Gift!

Because the best moments happen when life finally slows down.

So, I was given the gift of an extra day off recently, and it was such a blessing — a reminder that balance and having extra margin, even in semi‑retirement, is truly a gift. Because I’m someone who likes to contribute and say yes to things, I still, admittedly, need to practice boundaries.

With that said, I had four days off in a row, and I chose to spend them doing things that filled my heart: attending my grandson’s baseball game, enjoying a relaxed Sunday afternoon with two of my granddaughters, and then a couple of days focusing on writing my book and reorganizing and redecorating part of our home — long overdue! It’s amazing how decluttering and organizing can calm my mind and refresh my attitude. And it’s great fun to freshen things up.

What’s even better, though, is the balance — the ability to do these “me‑time” things and still have the margin to spend time with the people I love most. That is the biggest blessing of all.

I continue to enjoy this part‑time working lifestyle. There are still moments when it feels uncomfortable, but those moments are fewer and farther between. The blessings that seep through these wonderful days off remind me why I made this change in the first place. After being laid off from my full‑time job due to a reorganization, I kept looking for full‑time work, but at my age it wasn’t easy to find. Then it dawned on me that I had a rare opportunity to create real change — the change I had longed for but was afraid to make. I’ve written other blogs on that, so I’ll leave it there.

Looking ahead, I’m feeling more energetic, more balanced, and more intentional. I’m making choices, learning from mistakes, and embracing the flow — something that hasn’t always come naturally to me. But the blessings, both tiny and huge, keep showing up. I’m looking forward to a summer filled with sun, fun, flowers, grands, work, and finishing my book. I’m still enjoying my life coaching on Thursdays and volunteering at church, so I’m giving back and serving others in meaningful ways.

For now, I’m off to a shift at work and looking forward to seeing the seniors I’ve grown to love and care for so deeply.

With grace and gratitude

Cindy

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