In December 2025, I kind of, accidentally, took an early retirement from my career as an Administrative Assistant. I found that perimenopausal me could no longer keep up with the demands of that line of work, neither mentally nor physically. I had a plan for what I was going to do next, but when the time came to execute that plan, I froze. I couldn’t make myself go through with it. So, with no savings, very little government assistance, and some help from family members, I’ve spent the last five months, while in a forced period of rest, trying to figure out what a life less confined looks like to me and how I’m going to achieve it.
I’ve been applying for jobs, but there’s not a whole lot I’m capable of doing at this stage in my life. Plus, with all the competition out there, I haven’t been invited to any interviews. So I wait and ponder.
I turned 50 last summer. It was more life-changing than I expected it to be. Much more than any previous milestone birthday. How to live a life less confined is something I’ve been trying to figure out pretty much my whole life. At this point, I have a pretty good idea of what I want my life to look like; I just haven’t yet discovered how to get there. While I continue searching, I figured I’d do things I enjoy, such as blogging and photography.
This is about my fifth or sixth attempt at starting a blog. I always end up deleting it for one reason or another. However, I’m confident I can make this one stick.
What does a life less confined look like
A life less confined is different for every person. Each situation is as unique as the individual living it. It’s whatever makes you feel comfortable, at peace, and free. Some folks enjoy routine, repetition, predictability, etc. Others don’t care as much about what they do, as long as they earn lots of money. Some people are more drawn to the arts. And some need to be outside. Everyone is different.
For me, a life less confined looks something like this:
- Schedule flexibility;
- Location independence, I can earn a living from anywhere, including passive income;
- Creative expression;
- Avoid crowds and noisy areas;
- Be left alone when I need to concentrate;
- Have people I can share fun experiences with;
- Spend more time doing fun stuff with my now adult kids;
- Enough money to travel, go camping, personalize my home, build/make things, and have my wardrobe be an expression of who I am;
- Have the resources to do random acts of kindness for strangers and help out my community, along with my family and friends.
I’d like to be able to work with my ADHD instead of against it. My perimenopause has amplified my ADHD “symptoms”, plus added a few more like knee pain, which is why I’m no longer cut out for a 9-to-5 in-person job.
Having a companion/mate would be nice, but I don’t feel deprived without one, so I don’t include a partner in my life less confined plans. If I find love, wonderful; if not, I continue with my beautiful life.
How about you? Comment below on what makes your life feel less confined.
