Cheryl and I spent last weekend in Cape Breton driving and hiking the Cabot Trail. It has been on our bucket list for a few years now. It was absolutely spectacular. The views, the hills, the people, the hiking, the gondola ride to the top of Cape Smokey. It was all a great experience with no distractions.
It gave me time to put things in perspective in my life and to make a few decisions about my future. I got into Government as a means to support my family when I was young with the goal of exiting in 2030 which would give me 30 years and full pension when I retired. A lot has changed in my life in the last 30 years and I have come to realize that I am not the man I used to be nor are my goals the same. My kids are doing ok, we have a house and 2 new cars and I no longer need to wait until 2030 to retire. Granted, I will take a significant penalty by leaving early, but my sanity is worth more than that penalty. I have been burned out and stressed out and frustrated over the last couple of years and it has been getting steadily worse.
I am currently on sick leave until February and am seriously contemplating an early retirement so that I can do something else. I am not sure what that is, but I want more control over my employment. I want things to be fun rather than dreading going to work each day.
As I came to this realization, and even as I type this here, I can feel the weight lifting off my shoulder. I am excited to see what the future will bring.
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