How minimalist are you? I am soooo minimalist that . . . [fill in the blank]. If you read social media, you may have seen some version of this bragging game. You may even know people in real life who take pride in one-upmanship (or downmanship) and boast to everyone how little they need, spend, or do to enjoy a great life. It’s my turn now: I’m not retired nor do I have any source of income, but I’m soooo minimalist that I don’t even have a job! I’m not bragging, though. It’s just a statement about my reality today, and it’s a bittersweet statement at best.
Those readers who’ve been following my journey know that I’ve made some big changes in my life this past year, both personal and professional. I sold my first Florida house, the one I had bought when I moved to the state in 2015. It was a nice enough house, but too big for my purposes and too far out from the city for my preferences. I was fortunate to find a smaller house just the right size for me and in a location that I like. It’s an older house and needs some TLC, but most of the changes needed are cosmetic. I could relate to this house. All in all, I’m pretty content with my change in homes.
The other big change involved my work life. I quit my job. Twice. Twice? Yes. The first time I quit was from a job I had held for more than a decade. The work itself wasn’t the problem, but the management and atmosphere had become increasingly worse over the last years. I was stressed most of the time and got little satisfaction for my efforts. I had already planned out my next step professionally. So I quit. It was a happy day.
Six weeks later I began my new job, one I thought I’d keep until I retired some distant day in the future. Alas, dear readers, it did not work out so well. My return to a profession I had worked in over a decade ago was not the right choice. The job had changed significantly (not for the better). I tried to make it work, but the long hours, poor working conditions, and finally, a health problem pushed me to the brink. I quit for the second time in six months. It wasn’t a happy day, more disappointing, but I felt a huge sense of relief.
Fortunately, my minimalist lifestyle has given me the freedom to take a break from working at unsatisfying, stressful jobs. For several years, I have been reducing my cost of living, including paying off all my debt (except the mortgage). My move to a smaller house decreased costs and increased savings even more.
Ideally, I’d find a job I like as soon as possible so that my savings wouldn’t shrink too much. In the meantime, I’m trying to keep a positive attitude while job hunting and use this unexpected situation to my advantage. I’ve decided that I’m on “an unpaid vacation.” I want to appreciate this opportunity between jobs to fill the time with activities that improve my life and bring me joy. What do I choose to do with all this free time (besides job hunting)? Here are my main choices:
- Exercise: I have time to walk or ride my bike a lot. I had completely neglected the habit of exercising during the last job, so I’m doing my best to get the habit back. I’ve also begun physical therapy to take care of a back problem as a result of being on my feet all day long. Now I have the freedom and flexibility in my day to schedule several sessions a week. I’m feeling better already!
- Books: I’m a card-carrying bookworm and that card is to my local libraries. I have the luxury of browsing the shelves in the middle of the day and bringing home a stack of books, knowing that I actually have time to read them. I love reading both fiction and nonfiction on many topics, and since I no longer buy everything I feel like reading, the library is a great resource.
- Blogging: Last fall I barely managed to write a couple of blog articles, so I’m upping my game. I’m writing more often and even created a Facebook page to go along with the group. I’m increasing my blog’s presence on other forms of social media as well. Slowly, but surely, my readership is increasing.
- Novel Writing: More writing! Ever since Gretchen Rubin mentioned doing a write-a-novel-in-a-month project in her book on happiness, I’ve wanted to do it. The official NaNoWriMo time (National Novel Writing Month) is November, but people participate all year round. I got the guide from the NaNoWriMo founder, Chris Baty, and use it to help me get a first draft done. I know it will take a lot of work to make the book good enough for readers, but I’m creating my world of characters (mid-lifers, of course) and slowly developing the plot. This has been a lot more fun than I anticipated.
- Gardening: My little house has a huge yard (that’s how they did it in the 1950s when the house was built). No one has done much of anything to the yard in years, so it’s a weedy mess, or as I like to think of it—a blank slate! A past owner had a wooden square box in the back to grow vegetables. It was full of weeds, but now I have tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants growing in it. The front yard had no flowers or bushes! It’s hard work breaking the ground in order to plant flowers (and as soon as I have a salary again, I will hire someone else to do the grunt work), but I have a vision! The yard will look better each year that I’m here.
My list may not seem very exciting to some, but I’m enjoying these activities immensely. I may add a short trip into the mix or take a class, but for now, I’m keeping quite busy. Every day I get to decide what fun activities I’ll do after my “job” of job hunting is over for the day. Once I’m working again, I don’t want to look back and realize that I wasted this time moping around, worrying about jobs and money, or sitting on the couch and watching shows all day. Too often we focus on our jobs to give structure and meaning to our lives, but it’s just one part of the whole.
Taking a break, even if unwanted or unexpected, can help us get a better perspective on what brings joy and meaning into our lives. Until I figure out what my next paying gig will be, I’ll keep enjoying myself on my unpaid vacation. After all, I may not get so much free time again for years!
Growing my own food!
RESOURCES
Bolle, Richard N. What Color Is Your Parachute? 2018: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers
For more resources (blogs, books, podcasts, films) see: Resources
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Mid-life Blues, or Shouldn’t I Know What I Want To Do By Now?
You are filling your time doing things that bring you joy. Keep it up! I’m sure a new job will soon follow. Hope to see you at Earth Day on Saturday.
Thanks! I’ll be volunteering in the morning at our Earth Day celebration!
I loved this article! Unpaid vacation, I so relate!
One of my jobs is pending news as it’s been affected by flooding and my other business venture is gradually growing so I have time to do things too.
I went to a resume revise writing class and I am minimizing some debt through a fortuitous twist,of fate which is adding to my longterm minimalist gain, in a grand way.
Thanks for sharing! It help s to read how others are finding bliss through life shifts.💕
Thanks for reading! While I didn’t like the financial aspect of being unemployed, I sure enjoyed the time! Now I’m back to a full-time job (necessity), so I’m trying to figure out how to fit all things I love doing into my days.