I wrote my first book while still in biotech. My job was writing submissions to FDA and negotiating about clinical trial requirements. Was so glad to move on to being an author. If I had work nightmares, they’d be about negotiating with the FDA as it exists now. I have lots of compassion for the folks still doing the work I did.
I loved this Don. Especially the part of convincing your subconscious. While I’ve never wanted my job back, I have missed the era in my life when I built that career. And I had a long messy middle, but now I’ve come to aporeciate the energy I brought to that time — maybe let your friend know it has that! So what do we do? We keep moving.
Also: "Then I wake up, ecstatic that I am still retired." 🤣
I am clearing out my office. With great gusto I pulled work-related books from the bookcase and threw them to the floor. Whee! Then I boxed them all up and toted to the library.
Next I threw so many files into the recycle bin. I can barely move it!
All these actions help me to get out of that messy middle onto to living my best life. I am tired of working! I am keeping my discussion groups and training going, because they are too important to drop. But NO MORE BOOKS. And precious few blog posts.
I have the occasional office dream, and they're never particularly pleasant. I awaken so relieved and grateful that I'm free now of the people, politics and policies that delayed developing into the truest version of myself.
I retired more than 6 years ago and still have weekly dreams about work. Often I'm trying to tell people I retired (though it seems I did, but kept working), and always I have a project due for which I don't have sufficient information. Like you, it's a relief to wake up--it makes me feel grateful every morning!
I retired 13 years ago. I like to say that since then, I've reinvented myself numerous times. But in fact, I've simply recycled all the roles I held while employed, often, simultaneously: caregiver, community worker/leader, writer/editor, and more. The roles have not changed much, but my approach certainly has. Because, contrary to the old saw, old dogs can learn new tricks!
Yet, my subconscious dreams also re-interpret everything I've been and have done. The dreams startle me awake. I return to college or to my old job, only to discover that it was all a sham! My education failed me. The company never did what I thought it had. Instead of feeling panic or bereft, I feel freed from the past burden and I'm ready to try something new.
I wrote my first book while still in biotech. My job was writing submissions to FDA and negotiating about clinical trial requirements. Was so glad to move on to being an author. If I had work nightmares, they’d be about negotiating with the FDA as it exists now. I have lots of compassion for the folks still doing the work I did.
They deserve all the compassion they can get.
I'd say your writing is a meaningful new reality, and you are far beyond the messy middle!
But only when I'm awake. Thanks, Steve.
I loved this Don. Especially the part of convincing your subconscious. While I’ve never wanted my job back, I have missed the era in my life when I built that career. And I had a long messy middle, but now I’ve come to aporeciate the energy I brought to that time — maybe let your friend know it has that! So what do we do? We keep moving.
Good advice, Judi. Thanks.
Great topic, Don.
Also: "Then I wake up, ecstatic that I am still retired." 🤣
I am clearing out my office. With great gusto I pulled work-related books from the bookcase and threw them to the floor. Whee! Then I boxed them all up and toted to the library.
Next I threw so many files into the recycle bin. I can barely move it!
All these actions help me to get out of that messy middle onto to living my best life. I am tired of working! I am keeping my discussion groups and training going, because they are too important to drop. But NO MORE BOOKS. And precious few blog posts.
g
I hope you find it satisfying. Best of luck!
PS, Don, I waited too long. If you haven’t written about that, which you probably have and I missed it, I think that’s a good topic! 😂
I still dream of cleaning while my staff all watches Me rather than working. I’m still doing all the work. Nightmare.
Good news: you're independent. Bad news: Nobody to blame for not doing the work.
I have the occasional office dream, and they're never particularly pleasant. I awaken so relieved and grateful that I'm free now of the people, politics and policies that delayed developing into the truest version of myself.
Well put, Wendl.
I retired more than 6 years ago and still have weekly dreams about work. Often I'm trying to tell people I retired (though it seems I did, but kept working), and always I have a project due for which I don't have sufficient information. Like you, it's a relief to wake up--it makes me feel grateful every morning!
It's a reason to jump out of bed!
I retired 13 years ago. I like to say that since then, I've reinvented myself numerous times. But in fact, I've simply recycled all the roles I held while employed, often, simultaneously: caregiver, community worker/leader, writer/editor, and more. The roles have not changed much, but my approach certainly has. Because, contrary to the old saw, old dogs can learn new tricks!
Yet, my subconscious dreams also re-interpret everything I've been and have done. The dreams startle me awake. I return to college or to my old job, only to discover that it was all a sham! My education failed me. The company never did what I thought it had. Instead of feeling panic or bereft, I feel freed from the past burden and I'm ready to try something new.
Me too!