On April 12, 2015, I wrote my first put up on this weblog.
A decade of writing.
441 articles.
1 Million Phrases.
Wow.
It’s been a heckuva experience. I’m in awe that over 16,000 of you subscribe to my weblog and browse what I write (a honest “Thank You!” to all of you). It’s an honor, and I take it critically. In that very first put up, I wrote the next:
“That is the story of my journey, instructed in The Current earlier than it turns into The Previous.”
I’ve at all times appreciated that sentence, and it’s turn into one among my objectives with this weblog. To share my journey, as I’m dwelling it, with the hope that sharing my experiences will assist others obtain a fantastic retirement.
At this level in my journey, I really feel I’ve achieved that objective.
As I search to repeatedly experiment with my retirement way of life, I problem myself to embrace the liberty these years provide. Typically it’s onerous, and in the present day is a type of days. As that journey has developed, it’s reached the purpose the place it’s led to a significant determination for this weblog.
That call?
I’m retiring from full-time running a blog.
However…I’m getting forward of myself. To achieve perception into my determination and what it means for this weblog, learn on…
I am retiring from full-time running a blog. In the present day, the story behind my determination, and my plans for the long run… Share on X
I’ve recognized quite a lot of bloggers over the previous decade, most of whom have light away. That’s not a shock, on condition that 80% of blogs fail to outlive past 18 months.
One factor I’ve observed is how most bloggers appear to simply fade away.
They only…disappear.
At some point, you’re studying their stuff, and some months later, you notice you haven’t seen something from them shortly. A yr later, they’re all however forgotten.
I’m taking a unique strategy.
As at all times, I’m being clear about this section of my journey, and I’d quite inform you what I’m pondering than have you ever marvel the place I’ve gone. That is my Current, earlier than it turns into my Previous.
After 10 years of diligent writing, it’s time to shift gears. I nonetheless get pleasure from writing, however it’s changing into extra of an obligation than the true pleasure it’s been up to now. With over 440 articles in my archives, it’s more durable to search out contemporary subjects to problem my thoughts. I believe much less and fewer about potential subjects, a pointy distinction to the sooner years of writing when concepts have been continually flooding my thoughts.
It’s time to maneuver on.
I’ve at all times inspired you to do not forget that Retirement Is Like A Recreation of Poker, and challenged you to continually enhance the playing cards you’re holding. If a card is getting stale, don’t hesitate to trade it for a brand new card from the deck.
I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t apply the identical recommendation. The running a blog card has gotten a bit stale, so I’m shuffling the deck and placing the cardboard down for some time.
I hope you’re doing the identical.
By no means cease experimenting.
By no means cease bettering your hand.
The Way forward for The Retirement Manifesto
The excellent news is, this weblog isn’t going wherever. I’ve no intention of promoting it, and I plan on holding it on-line properly into the long run. I’ll nonetheless write when the urge strikes.
The factor that can change is the frequency of my writing.
In spite of everything, I’m retiring from full-time running a blog. 😉
I don’t know precisely what meaning but, however I’m going to discover it for some time to see the place it leads. I’ve been writing about retirement for a very long time, maybe I’ll use this platform to share ideas on different subjects sooner or later. Most definitely, I’ll comply with the trail that Mr. Cash Mustache and JL Collins have taken, and write once I really feel I’ve one thing worthwhile to say. They each solely write a number of occasions a yr, however I nonetheless learn each phrase. I hope my readers will do the identical for me.
Keep tuned (and please don’t unsubscribe)…
I’m getting busier with different actions that I get pleasure from, and the running a blog card has turn into extra intrusive. I seldom discover time to sit down at my keyboard, and I’m nice with that. I desire to be out…..
Climbing (I did a 13-miler final week!)…
Using my mountain bike within the woods.
Swimming in a lake.
Taking part in in our backyard (that experiment succeeded, we’ve doubled the dimensions this yr)
Hanging out at a campground.
Constructing a fence (we simply completed our a hundred and seventieth Freedom For Fido fence!).
Exercising (you may comply with me on Strava).
Spending time with our daughter and granddaughter.
In the event you comply with my Instagram or Fb pages, you’ll see that I’m dwelling increasingly of my life exterior the partitions, and retiring from running a blog is per that development.
Why Now?
The tenth anniversary of my weblog looks as if time to announce my official retirement.
In my “actual” job, I retired on July fifth, the identical date (33 years later) that I used to be employed.
I wished to do the identical with my weblog, and had deliberate to publish this put up on April twelfth, 10 years from the date I wrote my first put up. Life obtained in the way in which, and I missed the April twelfth goal by a number of weeks.
And that’s precisely the purpose.
Different issues in life have taken on the next precedence than my writing, and I’m embracing that. Don’t fear, nothing is “improper,” and there’s no hidden agenda behind my determination. It simply seems like the correct time to combine issues up a bit. After 7 years of retirement, it’s now not a puzzle to me. I’m content material with the place I’m in life, and discover fewer parts of retirement price serious about, price writing about. The retirement transition is full, and taking a break from writing in regards to the matter aligns with that actuality.
I’ll nonetheless write once I really feel prefer it, however I received’t be publishing commonly. I count on months could go by between articles, and I wouldn’t need to make that drastic a change with out letting you already know.
As my life continues to evolve, the time could come once I desire to be again inside on the keyboard. Or, it might not.
Time will inform.
No matter what the long run holds, one factor I do know is that this: The encouragement I’ve obtained from all of you over the previous 10 years is among the most rewarding issues I’ve skilled in my life. Your engagement within the feedback, the emails, and the non-public visits means extra to me than you’ll ever know. There may be nothing as satisfying as listening to from somebody who has determined to retire, and thanks me for serving to them navigate these fascinating waters known as retirement.
As my path leads in new instructions, a particular phrase of thanks to every of you.
I hope my phrases have inspired you to realize a fantastic retirement. As I sign off to start my new retirement, I’ll depart you with one ultimate phrase to ponder:
Freedom.
I’m embracing mine.
I encourage you to do the identical.
Till subsequent time…
