The Next Step

“Congratulations on your approved retirement effective 07/01/2020.”

With this notification, it is real, retirement is happening! After joining the United States Air Force in 2000, I hit 20 years in 2020. Time flies when you are having fun... I am grateful for all of my experiences, the people I’ve met, and all that has shaped me into the person I am today. I am officially on the steps to my future.

I knew I wanted to retire, but it was tough to decide exactly when. The last decision was between extending another year and retiring in 2021 or launching in 2020. There were pros and cons to both paths, ultimately I decided to take the less safe path and go for the next chapter in life. Why prolong the decision?

Now within less than a year of my departure window...I feel exhilaration and a side of terror. Stepping into uncharted territory and pushing myself out of the comfort zone of the only career I have ever known.

What is next?! Stay tuned, you and I will see! I have Plans A-D, and who knows, maybe a combo of A, B, and C. Perhaps adding on backup plans of E, F, G as well. How will I accomplish all I need to do?

My main intent is to properly prepare myself by ensuring I take time each day to properly out process and retire correctly. In a job I love it is easy to get swept up in the task at hand. I’ve spent my AF career taking service before self a little too literally. It will take much effort for me to shift some time to doing what I need to do for me.

I will follow my intuition and instincts. I was never one with clear cut 5-10 year goals, and perhaps my career reflects that. Yet I made critical decisions as needed based upon what felt right, even when it contradicted the norm. Perhaps because of that, my overall life is incredibly fulfilling because my instinct was always right for me.

Lastly, I will be open. I do not want to fixate on one future path because as life and circumstances ebb and flow, I want to be open to all opportunities. I spent 20 years honing my intuition and looking back, even with many twists and turns, I appreciate the path meant for me. If I fixate on one option, I may miss a better opportunity. And why not be “yes and?” Why should my future path limit down one walkway with high walls? Why not have parallel paths I can jump back and forth or dance through them as applicable?

Who knows what the future holds? All I know is there is now an official end date for my active duty adventure. There will be a start of something new. Life will be full and intense as I gear up to get out, but who am I kidding? I love full, intense, suspense...and suspenses too. I am military after all...

Happy Veterans Day

#thisiswhataveteranlookslike #iserve