Retirement - Starting Over

Yesterday, 22nd July 2011, I officially retired from Davenant Foundation School. I felt a fraud, because I intend to carry on working!, However, I intend to explore different avenues of employment and so, I am not really as disingenuous as all that because I have left my previous life - spanning 25 years all-told - to see what else I can do. I am not nervous or afraid, but excited, at this new adventure upon which I am about to embark. It may seem crazy to many in an age of austerity , unemployment and digitalization of work previously done by humans(!) but I believe there is something I am meant to do.

I have been touched and very surprised at the expressions of generosity - of gifts and of spirit too - of my colleagues and friends and I shall never forget a place and people that have played such a major part in my life. Most of all , they have shown great faith in my ability to reinvent myself and so encouraged by that, I launch myself off (rather dramatically according to this Blog) "on a gossamer thread like the spider who leaps into the breeze not knowing where she will land".

Everyone asks me what I am going to do,and I tell them I am not sure, but I intend to get back into Broadcasting, something I loved, but gave up on when, pragmatically, I became a teacher again - once the domain of "over my dead body", it actually turned out to be good for me and no one was more surprised than I, to find myself in a middle management position!

Hah! Life is funny, so I can't wait to find out what the next act of my own comedy series holds.

Comments

[Rosie]

I love this! I am in a similar phase... I just quit my job as a theatre teacher and am heading back to school... Exciting times indeed

[Malcolm Love]

You have such energy and imagination, a big heart and a wonderful zest for life – it will be fascinating to see which things you turn your hand to.
I would be delighted to hear it included some more broadcasting.
I love the picture with Robert. He’ll not get on in life dressed like that!

[lesley Seville]

Hi Jen,
well done. I'm pleased that you decided to try different avenues in your life. I think if you have a burning ambition to do something then you should do it; I think one knows when something is right and I am sure whatever you decide to do will be right for you. Why wait until you retire to pursue something that you have always wanted to do. Your experiences with teaching will probably be called on every day, life is funny and every job i have been in has been the path to helping my next one successful. So, both of us have taken a huge leap of faith but I believe we have a greater power on our side who is with us and guiding us, we just have to learn to listen and obey. Good luck Jen and God Bless. Lesley Seville xx