I have just about made the decision and my escape plan is almost ready.
The plan is escaping from the relentless hassle of work. The worn out Council keyboard says it all. Having to find your own way around, feeling your way in the dark with little help. Occasionally you press the wrong key and the whole of your working life goes bananas. Spinning plates come crashing down and you simply can’t keep all of them spinning at the same time. People get upset with each other, differences of opinion surface and power struggles are easily spotted. Not to mention the endless red tape, conflicting priorities and the sheer difficulty of work and the occasional spanner which gets lobbed in the works just when I least expect it.
Don’t get me wrong, my career in the public sector has been pretty good and rewarding. As with most things, it’s about whatever you make it. I’ve had the privilege of working with some great colleagues and on a good day, I like to think I might have contributed at least something to society. I have spent most of it in Justice and more recently I took a sideways move into my local authority in the hope of a quieter life. The reality has been far different and the complexities, nuances and the new language has been more difficult than I imagined. If you work in the public sector and you’re in your 50s or 60s, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Back to my escape plan. At home we have chatted this over and also with a small number of close friends who all agree now is the time to escape! Escape from work – early retirement – yay!
Mind you, I’m not exactly going to be spending my time shuffling around in carpet slippers, watching daytime TV and getting fat. Nah, that’s all boring and pointless. I dream of writing to my MP every week to hold him to account, trying our new foods, recipes, and getting my fitness to where it should be once again – marathon time of under four hours, becoming really flexible and supple and strong.
We all know there’s more to good health than simply being physically fit. Maintaining good mental health, having a sense of purpose, learning new things, giving to others and having an optimistic outlook are all essential ingredients to me.
So much looking forward to my new adventure. Damn. Three months notice. Surely it’ll pass quickly?