I first stumbled upon the word “unretiring” in a Facebook group for retirees thinking about going back to work. I paused and thought, Wait… that’s me.
If you’ve read my blog about retiring at 55, you already know this journey hasn’t always been smooth. I return to that post often, especially when I feel stuck. And yes—retiring early sounds dreamy, but in reality, it isn’t always a bed of roses. There are days when you miss who you used to be. You miss earning your own income. You miss getting dressed for work. You miss the rhythm, the routine, and the daily connection with people.
But sometimes retirement isn’t a choice—it’s the only option, just like it was for me. So I promised myself I would make the most of this chapter.
How Blogging Became My New Career (Even If I Don’t Get a Paycheck Yet)
Starting a blog became my way out of the slump. I even tried re-entering the workforce, but let’s be honest—age can feel like a silent strike against you. I have decades of experience, and I refuse to hide or downplay it. Yet not every company sees value in that.
So I turned to something completely new: building a website.
I never imagined I could make one, but here we are. I treat it like a real job—working from 10 to 4, learning, creating, troubleshooting, building. The only difference? There’s no paycheck… yet.
When the site finally went live, I gave myself a proud little shoulder tap. Look at that—I’m a content creator now.
Sure, monetizing the blog is the long-term goal, but the real reward is the confidence I’ve regained. I lost a lot of it during the transition into retirement. Creating something of my own brought it back.
Why I Now Call Myself “Unretired”
At 55 and beyond, aging does not mean stopping. It means living with intention.
I built a new daily routine, and it gives my days purpose again. It’s different from my old work life, but still structured—and it feels good. And honestly? I’m pretty proud of myself. At this age, I built a website from scratch. That’s something worth celebrating.
This blog has become my diary, my creative outlet, my little corner of the internet where I share my thoughts with women who might be feeling the same way. Every time I read a post, it reminds me how far I’ve come.
And I hope more women—especially those navigating life after 55—find comfort, connection, and inspiration here too.
Final Thoughts: Unretiring Is Not Going Back—It’s Moving Forward
If you’re in your 50s, 60s, or beyond and feeling unsure about this stage of life, you’re not alone. Many of us are “unretiring” in our own ways—finding new passions, rediscovering old dreams, building routines that feel meaningful, or simply choosing to show up for ourselves again.
Unretiring isn’t about chasing who you used to be.
It’s about creating who you want to be now.
And trust me—you’re never too old to reinvent yourself, learn something new, or start a project that lights you up inside.
If I can do it, you can too.