On time to let go and move on

On time to let go and move on 

As the year ends and with that, the first half of the second decade of the second millennium has ended. 

Back in August 2024, The law of the land says, I have to retire from the workforce. Hang up my spurs. Sit on the porch. Have coffee. Watch the sunset as I see myself go off to the sunset. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't ready to retire. I wasn't ready to let go. "I have so many things to do. I have so much to contribute." That's what I told myself. 

I kept in contact with some of the people at work. Nothing ominous I tell myself. Simple and friendly like, how are you? How's work? Etc. 

It is not simple. It was my way of wanting to know if the company I retired from has burned to ashes. Sinked like the Titanic. Telling myself, that's what happened when I was retired and I am not around to save the company. 

This goes on for months. To my disappointment, the company is still around. Nobody died. Nothing got burned. I was hurt. 

More months later, the empty hollow realisation sets in, yes you contributed. Yes, you made some impact. And yes, it is time to let go and move on.

Many of my friends and colleagues that I have met, post retirement, I realise are still caught up in the past. I was one of them. They still meet up. Still talk about the good old days. Still talking about all the problems their companies have. Yes, they still read up and inquire about the company or organisation they used to work with. Still providing solutions, nobody asked. 

The older retirees, you can find them at hospitals where they meet once a month for their regular check ups. I was told, they even scheduled it so that they have same timings for their appointments.

I get it. We have an attachment to the organisation. A sense of belonging. We are not happy to see them going off the wrong track. Failing. Doing stupid things. The stupid things you spent your career life, to ensure the organisation avoids. You have acquired a massive amount of knowledge, skills and experience. You felt such a waste not to use them. You want to give back. Unfortunately, nobody listened.

The thing is, I later learned, despite me being like them too, talking and providing unsolicited solutions, I realized, I was not paid or even asked to do any of those problem solving. And I am doing this for free? I am already not getting any income from anywhere. As they say, all these are staying rent free in mind and soul.

A few months back, all those thinking and talking about the organisation I retired from is excess baggage. An anchor that is holding me back. 

I am not asking retirees to lay down and just wait. There are opportunities out there. They may not be as glamorous and high profile, but, the important thing is, it is about giving back.

I did some work for a very small start up company. 14 employees including the CEO/Owner. It felt good. They were hungry. They don't pay much. But it helps with the bills. The best thing, after 5 months working with them, I felt a sense of belonging. A place to go to. Again, my job is done, and time to move on, and looking for the next thing to do.

I have let go and moved on. How about you?