Assuming that I follow my own pep talk regarding facing my financial situation and dealing with it; assuming I protect my home, maximise my retirement savings and budget wisely; assuming I am able to move from a survival, to a modest, to a comfortable income; then in front of me – not despite but because of the divorce – an exciting world of opportunities are open to me. Now, being single, those discretionary expenses listed in my last post are mine alone to decide on.
I have choices.
I have dreams.
I have freedom ……………….
to do whatever I want………….
- Retire soon and be contented with a basic lifestyle.
- Work a few more years and relax in a modest lifestyle.
- Work a bit longer, save hard, and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle….. down the track
- Resurrect my previous career and work for a period in a profession that was lost.
- Reclaim my ‘me’.
- Become a new ‘me’
- Retrain and start a different career, in something I feel passionate about.
- Start a new business in something I feel passionate about.
- Sell my home, down-grade to a smaller home, and enjoy making my home my own.
- Move close to the beach
- Or into a city centre
- Tip most of the difference in funds from down-grading into retirement savings.
- Sell my home, invest the money, and volunteer abroad for a year.
- Use some of my funds from down-grading my house on a **FANTASTIC** holiday
- Buy a van and travel around for a year or more.
- Become more involved in charity work.
- Visit my children, family and friends more often. YAY!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
- Write a book.
- Learn to play the piano.
- Learn, learn, learn about a lot of interesting things.
- Write about everything I have learned in life.
- Finish things.
- Walk along the beach 🙂
- Dance
- Watch the sunrise each morning.
- Potter about
- Count the clouds in the sky
- Do nothing. 🙂
- Speak up for what I believe in.
- Contribute to making a better world
Please of choices.
Wow….. what an exciting time is ahead for me.
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
_____________________________________________________________
This is the tenth in a series of posts on ‘My Responsibilities’.
1. Responsibilities
2. My own needs
3. My basic needs
4. My health – diet
5. My health – exercise
6. My Home
7. My finances # 1 Sinking
8. My finances # 2 Survive
9. My finances # 3 Priorities
10. My finances # 4 Freedom
Image courtesy of [BoinsChoJooYoung]: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Spring into Summer 
I love your list! I need to make one too. I’m also at a crossroad on what to do with the rest of my life, professionally. I haven’t work outside the home for 7.5 years and it’s scary to think about going out into the world again.
Yes, very scary. And those first few points of the work required in getting to the point of being comfortable is hugely scary! However, I figured that I still need to dream. Then making the dream come true is a distinct possibility.
Good luck with making your own list. Don’t forget to write about it 🙂
Wow! That is a beautiful and inspiring list — and what freedom in your words. I feel it all the way across the ocean here in Canada!
have a wonderful day of possibilities!
That’s where the plane in the picture is heading!
Canada, here I come 🙂
Wonderful post, so many possibilities. I did #17 and spent 7 weeks in Paris. Wouldn’t trade that experience. You’ve also shown me some exciting possibilities, thank you.
Oops, I meant I did #14!
Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes, I am just opening up to the opportunities waiting for me.
I had a look at your blog. You sound as if you have had a wonderful time in Paris. I have often thought that that is how I would like to travel – go to the one place and live there for a while and really get to savour the lifestyle and culture. I am sure it is something you will remember forever.
Your list radiates joy, hope, and faith, and I have not doubt that you can and will make this list come to life in due time and in your own special way. Go for it, Elizabeth!
Trying, trying… the best that i can.
Thanks
That’s all you need to do, as it is more than enough!
🙂
You, my dear, are Queen of the Lists. What adventurous possibilities are in your future! I especially love 13, 14, and 15. (I already did 10 and 18–well, working on the last chapter). Btw, Canada would LOVE to have you. 😉
Where did you go in your travels?
Canada is definitely on my list. My son lives there (in Vancouver) and I hope after retirement to be able to visit for months at a time and see a bit further afield. It is a magnificent place.
Good luck with that last chapter of your book. 🙂
What I love most is the phrase “not despite but because of the divorce”. What a lovely bit of reframing. None of these choices would be available to you if that event formerly known as an immense crisis hadn’t occurred.
I’m inspired by the power of this shift! I may want to build it into a post I am writing if that’s alright with you?
Sure thing. I actually split my draft into two, so there will be a bit of a continuation in my next post – a bit more on the type of experiences one can have. We touched on this in comments on your recent post.
It is true that you can go in a completely different and positive direction after a crisis – – – IF you allow yourself to see the forced changes as opportunities.
I look forward to reading what you have to say.
You never cease to amaze me!
Thanks for your positive comment. I really appreciate it.
Lots of cool things to do on your list, mainly fun and positive! I love making lists, too. It helps you to focus, to also dream and aim for the stars! Making lists helps us to fulfill our aspirations, helps inspire us and continue to meet those goals. I like your dreams and freedom goals, especially. I get a little bogged down when I think of money and retirement, so I stay off those subjects! Ha ha! Thanks for supporting my dreams and telling me to be careful who I entrust with them.
Yes, the lists help a great deal.
It is great reaching for the stars and striding towards them..
And then, if you don’t quite make them, you can still look back and see that you have come a long way from where you were 🙂
Great list – In truth I think most people don’t even think about the options that are available to them – divorced or not. Really valuable line of thought.
I know. I never did. I think that is why a crisis become an opportunity. It opens up your eyes to the opportunities available.
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