After multiple years of active work, I have decided to take a break. I am not yet work optional and don’t know when I will get back on that train. For now, my body and emotions need a break and I am taking it. I am able to do this because I got on the work optional journey and I am grateful that I can make this pause now.
Why am I taking a break? I recognise that I need to spend more time with my child, take better care of myself and spend time doing the things that light me up.
My life still revolves around the three things that are important to me. As I take this break, it’s more important that I continue to be financially responsible, I will spend a ridiculous amount of time on my health and plan to invest in my family and friends.
The questions I get from people can be grouped into three:
How long are you taking this break for? I don’t know. I just know I need a break now and need to breathe a little bit before thinking about what’s next.
What are you going to do? I also just tell people I don’t know for now as I’m not interested to go into the details of my plans and have them nitpick it. I have noticed some people are more interested in picking apart my plans and at this point I don’t need that energy.
How will you pay your bills? For people who know I’m financially focused, I tell them I will be using a mix of my dividend income and portfolio drawdown. For those who don’t know, I just tell them my Husband will be funding the family until I’m back to work.
I am in a pinch me moment as I didn’t imagine this happening when I started this journey less than two years ago. But we are here and I am more than happy to start this new phase of life. Yesterday was my last work day.