But What Now?

Many of us, myself included, are taking early retirements because we know we have choices and we know we’d like to do something different than what we’re doing in our current jobs. In today’s environment, we’re surrounded by choices, too many choices it often seems.

Once we take the leap and jump off the cliff into early retirement, we may need some focus or direction. And if you’re anything like me, you have a long list of things you’ve been wanting to do or learn or become or…

Community colleges are wonderful places to not only get a new focus, but also to meet like minded people. And this doesn’t mean that you have to actually attend in person anymore, although community building will be obviously enhanced when you meet people in person.

I think that every community college now offers discounted online classes through Ed2Go. You can go directly to Ed2Go and sign up for classes, or you can sign up through your local community college. My experience is that the classes are less expensive when you sign up through your local community college. Even without the discount, they are not expensive and the choices are about as limitless as your imagination.

Do you want to write, paint, learn a programming language, learn about the stock market or how to break into the real estate market? How about photography, guitar, cooking or travel?

I have taken writing classes online. I especially enjoyed Writterific, but there are a number of classes to choose from. You could become a full time student, in fact I am looking forward to that luxury myself.

Also, many community colleges are now offering classes that are only open to people who are 55 years of age or older. You know what this means, don’t you? It means that there is a huge demand for these classes! A couple of years ago I wanted to take a watercolor class and the only ones available were being offered to this demographic. I was still too young. I’ll be 55 in a month from now. Wow, that caught me by surprise!

With education the possibilities are endless and our choices are endless. And, anymore, the options available to us are wide open.