Finding My Path after Retirement

Retirement is totally different.? All of my original plans have been scrapped.? No math business on Cascade.? No networking events.? No volunteer work at local schools.? I actually feel awful about that one ??.? My days consist of daily workouts, grocery shopping, dinner-cooking, YouTube watching, dish washing, dog walking, and vlogging.? Who knew?? Not me!? There have and continue to be other options on the table.? But nothing gets my day going like the aforementioned list.? And the other options on the table look too much like work, i.e. like punching a clock that doesn’t belong to me.? If I miss any of those “duties” on MY list, then my day would not be complete.? These simple things bring me joy.

The obvious outlier is vlogging.? I’ve taken to vlogging as a way of personal expression and a way to connect with the world in a mostly positive manner.? My topics revolve around leadership, fitness, and other general observations and experiences.? Although I post on LinkedIn, much of my content does not belong on this platform, so I opened accounts on YouTube, X, Instagram, and of course, TikTok.? All of my content lands on TikTok, with the majority of the remainder also landing on YouTube, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn, in that order.? My name on the TikTok platform is “rainmanshaman;” it’s self-explanatory. LOL.? My given birth name is used on all other platforms.? Needless to say, I had no idea vlogging was in my deck of cards.? But now, it’s become my own way to share my experiences, both personal and professional.?

The thing I love about vlogging is overcoming the fear of jumping out there in the multiverse.? Plus, I’m not the most talkative guy, but for some reason I have a lot to say within a 2-to-6-minute video.? I’m rediscovering and reinventing myself and learning what I’m willing to say out loud at the same time.? As for my workout regimen, daily walks with 4-to-5 days of 30-minute gym workouts is my formula.? Most people I’ve worked with wouldn’t recognize me in person at first glance.? It’s been over one and a half years now.? I’m also being compelled to write more.? It’d be a shame to waste all these typing skills I learned from Mrs. Heard in the 11th grade!? As a true introvert, I’ve found pleasure in doing very solitary things 80% of the time.? The trade-off is that when it’s time to be an extrovert, I’m all in.? A win-win…