In September 2021, I gave myself a “Year On” as a birthday present and after 40 years in a demanding and rewarding career, retired from 65-hour work weeks to reimagine how I show up in service to others and to create more space for my family, friends, and a healthier lifestyle.

This was one of the best decisions of my life.

Once I pulled myself out of the frenetic, whirlwind work environment, my mind, body, and spirit took a deep breath and, in the exhale, relaxed into a new way of being.

After jumping off the roller-coaster ride of 65-hour work weeks, and my physical, mental, and emotional bodies slowed down, it was easier to sense, feel and experience the richness of the world beyond my job-related manifestation. Severing the energetic connections created with co-workers as well as those being served was challenging and tugged at my heart, although it was not as difficult as imagined.

Over two decades I saved money for the purpose of having time off from a challenging, juicy career that provided diverse opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. This career came at a cost. The stress and demands had a negative impact on my well-being, and quality of life.

As things turned out, I didn’t have to use much of this savings. My end-game vision to work fewer hours while being compensated in a way that allowed me to retain or improve my lifestyle manifested quickly. I set my intentions clearly and envisioned working mostly from home to provide support to nonprofit and government entities utilizing my administrative, project management and creative skills. In no time, I was attracting clients with a variety of compelling projects and initiatives.

Working with these organizations led to more opportunities for learning and growth and the relationships developed led to deep friendships.

My “time on” year also created abundant space for pursuits of the heart including time with loved ones, volunteer opportunities, travel, creative and recreational activities.

It felt so civilized to be able to say “YES” to friends and families, and to prioritize my health and well-being above that of those I’m serving. This new perspective is sure to increase both the quality and quantity of the years ahead.

We also decided to relocate from the Front Range after living here for decades, my husband since 1975 and me since 1986. The density, traffic, noise and air pollution, and projects like the Gross Dam Reservoir expansion were causing us to rethink where we wanted to retire. Raising our children in Boulder County was a blessing and we have fond memories of so many good times as well as the struggles that face all of us. The two darling baby girls we lost in 1996 are buried in a beautiful cemetery plot that overlooks the Boulder valley. There will always be a piece of us here.

After looking all over the state, we settled on the South Park area and purchased a little ranch between Buena Vista and Fairplay. The expansive views of the high valley and surrounding mountain ranges are calming, and the improved air quality has already made a positive impact on our respiratory systems. Looking out our window at the vast vistas, my mind and heart open even more, ready to meet whatever may come our way from a place of stillness, compassion, curiosity, and healthy detachment.

My “year on” was successful beyond expectations due to years of planning and preparation. For a considerable portion of our marriage, we were a one-income household, and my husband was the executive in charge of childcare, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and shuttling kids to and from activities. College tuition payments ate up most of our disposable income for about 15 years.

In preparation for “time on,” my first recommendation is that you save enough money to cover your living expenses for as many months as you envision “taking on.” Don’t draw down your retirement funds and don’t pilfer other dedicated savings for things like college funds for those of you with children. Keep the funds separate and make regular contributions to your “time on” account. It took me 20 years and it may take some of you that long as well. Be patient.

My other piece of advice is to set your intentions clearly and create an end-game vision. Intentions should be high-level such as “show up for service in a way that allows me to maintain or improve my current lifestyle” and “be well compensated for work that promotes the greater good for people and the planet” and “create more space for healthy and creative pursuits.” It's important not to get too specific. This allows for opportunities to manifest and unfold organically so you can let go of the “yes mind” and a need to control and force things every step on this journey. That would defeat the purpose.

The simpler the better for your endgame vision too. It could be a vision of you working on a laptop while hanging in a hammock in a tropical paradise. It could be an image of you spending quality time with your loved ones or creating works of art. Working from home utilizing technology that meets all your income-generating needs is another example of a simple and yet clear end-game vision.

And most importantly, know you are worthy of this investment.

Quiet the inner voices of fear questioning your motives, vision, intentions, the outcome, etc. This is not an act of selfishness. It is an act of self-love and gratitude for all that has transpired to get you to this place where you are confident that all will be well. To understand that when you leap, a net will appear. You have manifested the net through your expertise, skills, education, commitment to serve others, relationships, and compassion for people and the planet.

Please consider taking some “time on” to reimagine how you spend your precious time on the planet. I promise, you won’t regret it.