I find myself daydreaming a lot more often lately. And it’s not because I have a lot of extra time on my hands.
It’s more because I’m not where I want to be right now at this point in my life. I always planned to be able to slow down a bit as I approached late middle age, but the real estate market collapse has placed that on indefinite hold.
And it’s not just me. I regularly converse with others that are exhausted and fed up and some are even ready to give up completely. With life saving evaporating there isn’t a lot to look forward to in our “Golden” years.
I know that I wasn’t raised in Mayberry, but I feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone.
Would someone please turn off that infernal music?
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Richard - That is a wee bit funny. Don't forget, 60 is the new 40, so fear not - there's plenty of time to recover!
I know a lot of people who feel like you do. Especially Realtors who have been in the business for a very long time and are just thrown by what's happening. Since I deal with short sales (and many have been real estate agents) I feel this all the time. There's nothing to do but get through it I guess.
Good question. I think reality is what you make of it. It is human to long for more, but it is extremely difficult to be happy with what you have.
Richard, powerful post. These are certainly difficult times where many are being tested like never before in our whole lives. Perserverence is the key I think.
Richard- I hope that someday I'll look back on this "time" in my life and be grateful for the lessons I take from it. All in all it has also changed my time line of slowing down, selling my business, but it's also made me ever so more aware of what is really important in this world and it's not the dollar, the car, the house, or the toys. It's the people. And you know if business had been fantastic and really busy I might not have sat down to do a little research and discovered ActiveRain and made so many terrific friends. So I am just trying to make the best of what is my reality and keep moving forward.
These certainly are challenging times for many people in many ways. Even if you can't slow down the way you may have envisioned, take some time out to do some things you love.. and be kind to yourself.
It's funny because at 28 I sometimes feel the same way. Must be something you never feel comfortable with. I am sure you are doing better than you think.
Hi Richard, in remembering the photo of your marvelous house in the snow and reading all the supporting posts you get, I think you have created a wonderful life. People need the kind of dedicated service you provide. It is good to be needed. Yes, there are miserable conditions to deal with, but everything goes in cycles and sometimes we come out of this type of mess stronger. I have a feeling you've got a lot of joy yet to experience. Best to you.
Consider yourself blessed to have time to change things if need be. My parents and many, many others in retirement lost substantial parts of their savings/investments a few years ago. And my parents being 65+ years old, they don't really have options to find work. And then there's social security ... sigh.
My wife and I were talking about this sort-a topic just yesterday. I have a degree in music, and in the last 8 years have used it only a little for it's actual purpose. I have more recently considered going to law school. I am young(ish). Who knows. I know the current market has got some thinking in ways that many of us haven't thought like for years. Maybe in the long run that is good. Ok I'm stepping down.
Tammy, I love your comment. You are so right! Life really is what you make of it... maybe slowing down isn't the healthiest way to survive late middle age. I retired after teaching art for 35 years, anxious to finally get to slow down. What I found was that I watched too much TV, went out to breakfast, lunch and dinner way too often, and slowly watched the pounds multiply. Finally, I realized that 56 was too young to be retired, and I got my real estate license... at one of the worst times possible, or so people told me. Am I making tons of money? No. ... but I'm out and active and feel alive again. Now I'm watching more HGTV and less Days of Our Lives. I'm watching those lazy days pounds slowly melt away, and best of all, I'm meeting and helping some wonderful people. Will I get rich doing this? Probably not, but "rich" doesn't always mean you have a lot of money.
Richard...for what it's worth, just know you are not alone brother. There are many of us, male and female, of all ages, trying to figutre it out. And it is not confined to real estate. I do believe in the law of attraction although living it is another thing. I am striving to and I feel I am getting better every day. I also believe there is individual and collective conscious that influences our lives. Keep the faith and hang in there. We all came from source and the biggest secret of all is we never really left.
Christianne...
But I feel like I'm 70! lol and thanks.
Sandy...
It's so sad when you see a real estate agent's house in the foreclosure notices. It's all part of it I guess. Thanks for the comment.
Kirk...
That's very philosophic. Thanks for adding to the conversation!
Richard,
I feel your pain. Lots of good comments on the post, life is what you make of it, even if this wasn't your plan. I also agree, this is affecting everyone. We ran into friends last night at the movies, and she said her husband was taking a 40% paycut this year. (Obviously, not by his choice.)
All the best, Michelle
Richard: Glad I'm not the only fuddy-duddy out there today. I even hate the pace of shopping nowadays. It's not at all fun. As for the pace of work, I feel your pain.
I know my retirement plans were changed y this downturn in the economy. Looks like we have another year before we see growth again.
Oh Sure, now I have that tune in my head. Your not a lone...just look at any fast food places and you will see many just like us!
Funny, Richard, I was going to put the Twilight Zone in the post you just went by :) Late middle age, c'mon. You are a spring chicken. Many more years work in you yet :).
Richard ~ You said what many of us are thinking. At other times in my life I have gone through the thoughts of NOW WHAT? Everything has always worked out. Now that we are older its seems this time its scarier. It is very sad when you see people you know work hard all their life and are in bad shape now and it seems like no where to turn. My husband is there right now. He has been a home builder for 31 years and just turned 55 and no work. Spec home on the market for over 2 years and NOW WHAT? We will let the bank take it in the near future. Oh man this brings tear to my eyes as I write this. I wish I could help him. Twilight Zone? We feel like we are in the your screwed zone.
Wow...
I am toched by these comments. They are so frank and I appreciate the fact now that it's not just me. It's been a rough weekend ... and this week is already presenting some challenges. Thanks to all for adding to this conversation.
Craig...
I will persevere! THX
Tammy...
I agree completely. Unfortunately, there are events that are breaking yup our work "family!" It's very depressing. THX
Joan...
I will do just that. THX
Richard - I understand. Now you can understand my zeal on what is happening in government and banking affects us greatly.
I appreciate your honesty, it is very rare nowadays, and it is very refreshing.
I know your a strong man and will rise again.
When this happened in the Great Depression, it put many on the same playing field.
We are going on, and it will bring about great change in our lives, and I believe the best is yet to come for us my friend.
The market slow down sure has put a spin on so many things and so many lives. You put in words, what I have been feeling. And the comments are so wonderful. I, myself, am trying to learn as much as possible through these changes, and learn to change myself and my outlook on things. I have been trying to look at the real estate market as though I just got into it all over again. Everyday I learn something new. And I am trying to only have positive thoughts - as in the Law of Attraction. Best of luck to you!
I think a lot of us have been "taking inventory" of our careers. Thankfully, God opened a door for me that keeps me in the business, supplied me with a much-needed partner, and lets me focus more on marketing, which is what I really love anyway.
Hang in there and just pray. I've completely shifted my thinking for 2010. I'm not looking back. I'm focused, and moving forward, in the direction where God is leading me. I just feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity I've been given. I pray that others are blessed as well.
Interesting points Richard. I too feel that it is time to get refocused...
Hi Richard, for some reasons I don't think this year is going to be easier or shorter from a business hours perspective...
Living in Mayberry sure seemed to be much simpler times with fewer headaches. Or is that my overactive imagination at work again?
Greetings, i think we are all feeling the same way...just had a similar conversation with my brother. LOVE the photo...
Boy do I know the story. I am making some changes in 2010 that hopefully will make this year better than last! And, when it is cold, it makes it harder for me to get out of the house!