First Year of Medium Retirement

Anniversaries are perfect times for reflection, and I just hit my first year of self-designated medium retirement. After 24 years in the corporate world, it has been a delightful challenge to create my own rhythms and listen to my body and emotions to determine what would feel good. And it definitely took some time to decide on the schedule, priorities, and patterns I wanted for me. At first, it was all very uncomfortable - I felt rudderless in all the freedom. But I gave myself time to adjust and kept experimenting. Here's what I've found so far:

• It took time and persistence to find patterns that felt good to me. The first three months were very challenging, and it would have been easy (and would have felt better in the moment) to just fill the time with commitments. However, I was determined to enjoy the space I had worked so hard to create, so I resisted the urge to dive into a commitment and let the space be a little uncomfortable until I learned how to listen to myself. 
• I love my slow, quiet mornings. They feel decadent and lovely. 
• I feel better if I spend time outside in the morning. I'm finding it challenging now that mornings are cold, and I've experimented with moving outside time to the afternoon, but I've learned that I really enjoy starting my days by moving my body and being outside.
• I don't miss corporate life. I am grateful for the work I did, the people I was with, and the many ways I was rewarded for a job well done, but I don't want to go back.
• I enjoy having time for the slower rhythms I gave up as a working parent. I go grocery shopping now (sometimes), I cook 1-2 meals per week, I tend the gardens far more regularly, and I put away a lot more dishes than I ever did while working. I don't want my whole life to become these things, but I enjoy incorporating them into my rhythms.

And, because I might be out of the corporate world, but metrics are still fun, here's my first year of medium retirement by the numbers:

• 1,394 miles on my bike. Far from a personal best, but not bad.
• 64 strength-training sessions - this is new for me, I started this summer, and it's a lovely addition to my world. It's sooooo hard and an excellent challenge. If you're looking for somewhere to start, I really enjoy Nourish Move Love.
• At least 80 meals prepared. I didn't really track this number, but it's safe to say it's many, many times greater than any other year of my life.
• The final 18 credits of my master's program completed!
• Around 800 volunteer hours between my volunteer work in Belize and my year at The Refuge Utah (both of which were phenomenal experiences and excellent organizations)
• 37 scheduled breakfast or lunch meetings (with the word "breakfast" or "lunch" in the meeting name - there were probably more, but I don't care enough to be more precise). This is my ploy to get other people to feed me.
• 56 days on snow (alpine, telemark, or nordic) (definitely a personal best and a stat I'm thrilled with).

It's been a year of growth. I've had to work hard to befriend myself in a new way, listen to the patterns that would feel good to my mind and body, and leave lots of space to experiment and iterate. I love this more gentle pace, and I love that I get to come alongside others and help them learn more about themselves.