I am genuinely interested in hearing your thoughts.

I remember my first "date" (in fact, although he moved away long ago, we still occasionally keep in touch). I was nervous as hell and had no idea what to expect, even though I had actively researced this world, the protocols, the everything about it, for 6 months before I took the plunge. It was a great experience. In fact, through 14 years and owning 2 agencies on top of it, about 95% of everything has been great - an excellent education in the Human Experience and it gave me a hella understanding of the Human Condition. There are a lot of lovely people out there. Sure there are arseholes, but most people I have met have been the bomb!

Anyway, on to question for the guys and Gals.

Did/Do you have a date for permanent retirement? I do. It will be the same day I had my first date, 14 years later, and it very rapidly approaches.
Do you have a fantasy last date? I do!
Or will you just go along and see how it goes?  
Is there a certain milestone or event that would have you leave the" hobby?
Would you still keep in touch with your friends here?
Would you still give out references?
Would you still check in from time to time?
Or would you just take down, remove, delete, every single remnant from this life, walk away from everyone, everything, and never, ever look back

Checking out the Chicago board..I don't think that I will ever retire from this hobby as long as I stay in good health..I absolutely love it! Would it be that easy just to walk away? All the memories and the friendships..I could not do it. I am curious as to what your fantasy last date would be like? I have never seriously thought about mine..You have some very nice pics on your website Have you ever toured in North Carolina? The Tarheel state would welcome you with open arms!!

Hi Miss D. First let me say I love your witty  site.  Clicking  On the W with Condoleezza, and not referring to yourself in the Third person( a lesson to be had by many) Priceless! I would not give myself an exact retirement date , good idea but could be so disappointing; a month's leeway might be better. Cutting off all ties usually seems the way to go even though you would not do that in any other job you enjoyed. But this is quite different as you already know. Your questions are all good ones, just do not box yourself in.

Funny how people love the forbidden. Bet you get an influx of clients in the following month. Like the closing and reopening of Fannie May.  "If the God was smart he would have forbade Adam and Eve from eating the Serpent not the Apple and we would have no Devil today"  Lenny Bruce 1965. So just do not think in absolutes, Nothing is ever etched in stone.  And whatever you choose, the very best to you.

Good questions. I do not have the answers. I saw one provider once just before she retired, really hit it off, and honestly feel a little like she died since I will never see her again. In reality I am pretty sure she is thriving in her new life.

Interesting topic

I can't see me ever retiring.  I love it so.  

 Perhaps if I met my true soulmate.  But if she was my true soulmate, we would hobby together.   LOL

END OF MESSAGE

turns me on.. works for me.. works for people who see me.  Lets not knock each others style desires or tastes. There is room for everybody in here.

-- Modified on 9/10/2016 9:08:26 PM

I know a lot of people in all areas of life who save and work for the very purpose of retirement.

I have taken a hiatus or two where I took everything down and cleaned everything up. It was a lot of work, and some didn't take my stuff down... after doing that, I would probably do a gradual leave to wean myself off next time, as I noticed it hit on some of the top stressors.

It's a major life change, and I noticed the major life changes that took place were in all ends of the spectrum. Career change, lifestyle change, location change/moving, lack of community or loneliness (which was really severe for me), for me - all new friendships and new community while going through all of those major changes while still trying to make a good first impression, an entirely new budget (different financial situation), moving, etc etc etc. You do show the stress whether you think it's really stress or not.

It was definitely enough to show me that I need to plan this out and make sure my other life is built before I fully retire. Though it will still be stressful.

Checking in from time to time was a little awkward honestly. People who were involved here couldn't really relate. Though I had a couple of guys and ladies I still maintained email and phone contact with, because we had established common interests outside of SW. I wouldn't ditch all of your friends here, but be ready for some to lose interest due to lack of common ground.

Again, I would transition next time and personally, I'm probably going to be around a while. This is an entire lifestyle for many of us, and we practice being hush hush about what we do to the world. Totally different mindset, but I like that we can be open with each other. Going out into regular life and being thrown into "so what do you do for a living" conversations after just leaving was very awkward and hard.

-- Modified on 9/11/2016 12:33:49 PM