Laurel, 65
Ambitious, generous, persistent
“ Although comfortable, when is the right time to retire, I wonder, as the market fluctuates and talk of recession lingers. Yet, “adventurement” beckons! “
✨ Twinsight: Laurel has identified an issue many of us grapple with and that is, when to retire. Even more importantly - her story challenges us to consider…….what is retirement anyway? And she has coined the term “adventurement” to describe her intention for the next phase of her life. In a landscape already peppered with terms like rewirement, refirement, reimanagement and recalibrate, we love this new term. But more importantly, Laurel has demonstrated that you really need to think about your intentions before you retire. Identify what sparks your joy and gets you charged up - it’s critical.
I stopped full time work on March 15, 2023, and took a five-week road trip. That is the first venture in my adventurement 2023. I worked in tech business publishing, software marketing, and non-profit leadership roles and have a few stories to tell. And I am writing a book I have had in me for 30-some years, about the pride, prejudice, and pain of (adoptive) motherhood.
How old are you and how are you feeling about that?
A: 65 and I feel very good about this age, because I truly FEEL much younger with abundant opportunities and new experiences ahead.
Three words that describe you.
A: Ambitious, Generous, Persistent.
What’s the one life lesson that you wish you had figured out earlier?
A: I have become known for listening very well, not interrupting, and contributing to meeting conversations constructively, compellingly, and persuasively.
Proudest accomplishment?
A: I am proud of my children. My daughter is a social worker, married, with two lovely little girls. My son is bipolar, OCD and the victim of multiple gunshot wounds, and challenged with PTSD. He has had many struggles yet still at core is a good person with a generous heart.
--We adopted both children from Thailand as toddlers.
What’s the worst part about aging and what’s the best?
A: Worst are the pains (knee, back) and that saggy, crepey skin! Best - I am positive about life and the adventure ahead.
Laurel works on her book about being an adoptive parent. She has had the book “inside” her for 30 years and wishes to share her lessons.
Have you experienced ageism?
A: I think indirectly, yes. Despite experience, expertise, and skills, I perceive that I was not considered for full-time leadership roles when I last looked for jobs (2020-21).
What’s your message to the world?
A: Be bold. Be kind. Be grateful.
Are there traditions in your culture related to aging that you would like to share?
A: I don't know about "traditions" but I remember thinking that I don't want to be like my maternal grandmother, who lived with us when I was very young, and sat in her room in her rocking chair--she also wore old lady clothes and shoes; I also recall my mother--in her 60s, and early 70s--saying that she should have walked and exercised more when she could.
I don't know exactly where this fits yet I'll mention it: Still very early in my “adventurement”, I am conflicted. I have worked since I was 14 years old (first job as a busgirl in a restaurant) so "not working" is very strange. Although comfortable, when is the right time to retire, I wonder, as "the market" fluctuates and talk of recession lingers. Yet, adventurement beckons because my father died at age 61 (cancer came on quick) just as he looked to retire, spend more time with my mother and their family, selected plans and a lot for a house to build , etc.
What’s next for you? What does your future self look like?
A: More adventurement activities and writing a book. My list includes activities I already enjoy yet want more of (hiking, bicycling) and new (pickleball); things I have done yet have more time to do (cooking, baking, becoming adept at decorated cookies); groups I am already in yet can devote more time to (book club, "GNO"--this group plays sheepshead each month and travels together occasionally); and more volunteering (I bake and send care packages to Service Members as a Soldiers' Angel, I have just agreed to do volunteer marketing and communications for Friends of the Hank Aaron Trail in Milwaukee...and I plan to explore other volunteer opportunities).
And though not "second" at all, spend time with my husband, my family (especially grand girls), my dear cousin who is nearby, and with many friends, current to new!
What sparks your joy these days?
A: My (admittedly too long) list of activities for my adventurement (I refuse to call it retirement). And the challenge of actually writing a book after years of writing/editing/publishing business and technology content.
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