Bridging the hustle and bustle of the 21st century with life in the slow lane
I quit.
My job and corporate life, that is.
I have no big plans. No business goals. No ideas for freelance work. At least not yet.
What I have is a small financial nest egg and a deep desire to live a simple, slow life.
I’m calling it my Victorian Era.
Living the Victorian Life
I have romantic notions of long periods of leisure time — the ability to do the things I love for no reason other than the fact that I enjoy them. Of taking the time to cook a delicious meal {even though I’m not particularly fond of cooking}. Creating some art. Reading for hours. Scribbling away in my journal. Writing and sharing my words through this here blog, as well as on Studio Diaries. Maybe even making some YouTube videos, because I enjoy filming and editing my art process.
What I don’t want is hustle, or a focus on productivity, especially toxic productivity. I don’t want to be busy for the sake of being busy, checking items off an endless to-do list. I want to drink my coffee while I read or gaze out the window at my tree. I want kitty cuddles and blanket forts and to do things for pleasure.
Bridging the 21st century with the 19th century Victorian era
I also know it isn’t going to be easy to live a 19th century life in the 21st century. Especially not when I’ve lived most of my life tied to a routine that was forced on me — first school, then college, followed by a series of 9-to5 jobs {not something the genteel ladies of the Victorian era would ever have experienced}.
I’ve never had to make my own structure; I’ve never had hours and days stretching out ahead of me, not knowing how I will fill them. There’s no roadmap for those of us in the 21st century to follow. It’s also easy to focus on leisure when all you have are evenings and weekends to call your own.
Now, with months and years stretching ahead of me, it does seem a bit daunting. How will I make sense of it all — of this life, of what I am doing, of where I am going?
The answers were easier in the Victorian era, I imagine. The life of a genteel woman was mapped out a certain way, just like our 21st century lives are mapped out for us.
Finding my way to the Victorian life
What I do know is this: I could not continue living the corporate life. It was driving me insane, burning me out, until all I wanted to do was run away screaming.
In the two months since I’ve quit my job, not once have I questioned or regretted my decision.
I am still finding my way towards the Victorian life, though, and I need to keep reminding myself that it’s ok to take my time. After all, it takes time to gain a sense of confidence and comfort when you set off on a new, uncharted path.
There are days that flow effortlessly and days when I’m not sure what I am doing; there are days that feel sublime and days when I question how I am spending my time. But slowly, patterns are starting to emerge. I’m starting to find the warp and the weft of my days. I’m beginning to understand what’s important to me, and what feels fulfilling and meaningful.
It will take some more time, I imagine, until I settle down more fully into my Victorian Era: my years of rest and leisure, meaning and pleasure. Into this life of early retirement and all that it entails.
And I do believe that I will write more about it too. About early retirement and how to plan for it — not so much the financial aspect of it, there are tons of resources out there — but the emotional and mental aspects, which I’ve rarely seen discussed. I will also share some snippets from my days, from my 21st century Victorian life. I do hope you’ll stick around for the ride!
Before you go, tell me this: have you quit your working life or do you have a job that you can see yourself doing for years to come? Do you ever dream of a life after the 9 to 5, and what is it that you imagine? I’d love to get chatting in the comments.
Change is good, Shinjini. We often overlook burn out and keep working despite the need to slow down. After all, we were expected to push through the discomforts and keep going. Right? I’m glad you are listening to your needs. Looking forward to read more about your 21st century Victorian era life. I am picturing you in those gowns, and you look pretty in them, Shinj. 🙂
lol, no Victorian gowns for me, Vini, but I am embracing slowing down and focusing on the things that I enjoy, without feeling any guilt. After spending so long in the corporate world, it isn’t all that easy!
Shinjini, I cannot tell you enough how proud of you I am for doing this! I’ve been working a corporate job since I stepped out of college. 16 years without a break! Quitting and doing nothing for a while has crossed my mind umpteen times, but I haven’t been brave enough to do it.
I, unfortunately am one of those people whose self-worth is associated with the job they do. I don’t know what I’ll be if I’m not a working professional. The burnout is real and my mental health was at its worst phase until I decided to slow down and take a step back. That’s the bravest thing I’ve done this year.
I’m so glad you did this and I totally side you on toxic productivity. Hopefully, one day I’m brave enough to leave it all behind and move on to bigger, better, creative things that actually matter.
Thank you, Soumya. And I hear you — it wasn’t easy to quit, even though I knew I had to do it and I had prepared for it. I spent months agonizing over my decision, but ultimately knew that if I didn’t, I would be only be harming myself. Having an identity beyond work is important before you quit, though — that’s where our self-worth comes from, I think.
I’m proud of you for slowing down and taking a step back! Protecting our health should be our priority. Maybe use this slower time to identify the other things that matter to you?
The image that came to my mind at once was the cover of My Year of Rest and Relaxation. But yours is going to be a lifetime. I’m so happy for you, Shinjini.
Although, I don’t have a job, I’m reevaluating how I spend my time and what is important to me. Thank you for your inspiration! ♥
Yes – a lifetime of it! I am still in the honeymoon phase of early retirement and am enjoying the spaciousness of my days. But I know I am soon going to have to evaluate how I want to spend my time and be more disciplined about ensuring that I am focusing on the things that are important to me, and not just spending all my time reading, for example!
What a wonderful idea Shinjini – Living the Victorian life (minus the corsets and crazy ball gowns I hope :-)). Jokes aside, this is such a brave decision. I have a huge dislike of the word ‘hustle’. It’s almost like one is doing nothing if one isn’t hustling. Hoping you find your new rhythm soon.
Yeah, the word hustle makes my hackles rise up! I’m all for slow flow these days! 😉
Love it! I’ve been retired almost five years, now. It is WONDERFUL. (I try not to be obnoxious, like my dad, who never failed to point out to me – back when I was 100% sure someone would find me dead and chained to my desk – that when you’re retired, “Every day is Saturday!” and Sundays are just as fun – no dreading Monday and meetings.) The only meetings are the ones I choose to attend and I enjoy them all. Don’t get me wrong – as jobs go, I liked most of mine and I’m grateful that most involved writing in one form or another. I didn’t HATE THE JOB. But I worked to live, I never lived to work. It’s one thing to be productive; it’s another to be somebody else’s idea of productive, knowing you’re making them richer than they’re making you and taking a third of your life up, doing it.
It’s so good to hear that you’re enjoying your retirement. I keep wondering if the bubble will burst and I’ll curse myself for quitting my job. But so far, I am loving it and I have zero regrets! I have my days of being a Victorian lady of leisure — reading, playing with the cats, journaling — and my days of being super focused and productive, chipping away at my goals, and I’m loving every moment of it!