Having just celebrated my one year anniversary as a retired Baby Boomer, I have been fortunate in that I can look back and reflect on my decision with clarity and a renewed sense of commitment to the goals I had set out to achieve.

As previously mentioned in my series of articles, retiring from the Department of Education was not only timely for me, but critical to my being able to pursue another area which has always been dear to my heart – writing. I have not only succeeded in this endeavor, but have amassed more knowledge in researching a variety of topics than I have in my lifetime.

Looking back over the past year, the struggle was not about my ability to communicate as a writer as well as make a living at it, but more about my acceptance that retiring at the age of 57 was the right choice. Having read about the myriad of changes within the Department of Education, which I still consider in a state of flux, it was the only decision I could have made at the time. Thus, I conclude it was the right choice.

Hindsight is 20/20; but when I look back over my 42 years as a working woman, I can honestly admit that every step I had taken in my life was a step forward. Retirement is not an easy decision. Once the commitment is made, there is no turning back. I knew my early retirement would entail a considerable loss in my pension benefits; yet, I also knew that to continue working in a system that cared more about the bottom line than those who have devoted their life to educating children would result in a bitter conclusion.

Conversely, retirement holds a new set of rules and boundaries which future retirees should be aware of and prepare for. If you are thinking about retirement, ensure that you have a good health plan, a moderate amount of savings, and a back-up plan that will not only give you peace of mind, but allow you to take care of yourself in any eventuality. Attend as many seminars as you can on retirement and ask many questions. Although I found this quite helpful, I must admit I did not follow the “preferred” method of retirement, but chose my own path knowing full well there would be consequences to my decision.

I have no regrets. I know that had I stayed in the Department of Education for another five years, I would not be physically or mentally capable of putting my thoughts into an articulate form of expression. As so many of my colleagues have passed on soon after retirement, I stand by my assertion that the stress and ineffectiveness of the union has contributed more to early retirement for its members than in any other field of endeavor.

Retirement is not for everyone. Every baby boomer has to make the choice soberly and with as much knowledge as possible in order to make an informed decision. Moreover it is the journey, not the destination in which one becomes fully aware of who they are and how their life will affect others. For me, the lessons learned were critical in my decision to retire. On some level, through my expertise in the business sector, I did make a difference. Now, as a writer I continue to devote my time and considerable life experience to assist those who need my services. In a sense, I have completed one journey only to begin another. It was the path not taken that allowed me to make a difference… change a life.