New Beginnings & Opportunities in Retirement - Mandy Eve-Barnett

When I announced my retirement there was a distinct divide in the reactions I received. Some colleagues were happy for me and a little jealous, while others told me I would be back to work in six months. I realized that planning for retirement is so focused on the financial aspect that the actual day to day part is largely ignored. The refrain of ‘how will you fill your time’ was repeated to me often in the month prior to my departure. I answered the same way every time.

“I will be actively writing and publishing more, extending my author and freelancer reach through conferences, workshops, and networking as well as connecting to an extended writing community and organizations. In addition, I’ll actively engage in increasing my social life with regular events and seeking new adventures and experiences. I even began a ‘life list’ (not a bucket list!) of things I want to do before it’s too late.” For those of you who are curious these include a hot air balloon ride, a tandem parachute jump, and a motorcycle ride (haven’t been on one in decades!) and also a zip line adventure. I will be travelling extensively throughout Italy, my favourite place apart from my homeland of England, where I will also visit to welcome two new great nephews.

When I decided to retire, I realized that I could live for another thirty to forty years so knew I really needed to consider what I wanted to do with all that time, after all it is literally another lifetime! I wasn’t going to sit in front of a screen and vegetate. (This is harder for me as I don’t actually own a TV – I know shock horror!)

Maybe I am the exception to the rule, but I wanted to ensure I maintained my health and happiness past my working life. It was a matter of sitting down and really considering what I wanted to do in my ‘new lifetime.’ I looked at what I enjoyed doing the most, places I would love to visit, how I could garner relationships - new and old, and how I could supplement my income. I made a conscious effort to be open to new experiences and this has aided my health mentally and physically. I receive regular comments on how happy and engaged I am. To be truthful, I am having a blast and don’t feel ‘retired’ at all, in fact the opposite.

In my two years of ‘retirement from the work force,’ I’ve been busier than I ever thought possible. My calendar is full of all kinds of events, some social and others writing related, freelance projects, and road trips. I published my eleventh novel and have contributed to a couple of anthologies already. In addition I have taken on a new part-time role as condo manager and am the scouting manager for Relatable Media. In the pipeline for this year is an online presentation to a writing group, a writing workshop at a local museum, acting as a mentor to a couple of university students, and as a guest presenter for a children’s writing course. Added to these is my attendance at several book fairs around Alberta.

I’ve found it is all about saying ‘YES’ and exploring new ways to live and enjoy life. Of course, sometimes I yearn for a ‘day off’ and guard them ferociously when I get them with a day of reading, walking and relaxing. However, I would not change my ‘retired life’ for anything else now. I am living my best life and welcome new adventures and experiences with open arms. So my pre-planning for my other lifetime has served me well so far.

As I mentioned my eleventh book came out in July this year. It is a western romance with a love triangle, entitled Willow Tree Tears.

There are several other manuscripts in the works too! I have totally embraced my creativity and the writing community as a whole and it has served me well.

My message for anyone approaching retirement is to really define what you love and engages you and plan to do more of it!

My future plans are extensive and I don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon.

Long live retired life.

It really is a new chapter for me

(pun intended)

Mandy Eve-Barnett is an Edmonton Best Seller, multi-genre author, writing children’s, YA and adult books. With eleven books published since 2011, and another nine in various stages of completion, her writing life is full. This does not include her writing in numerous anthologies and magazines, and a variety of non-fiction projects through her freelance business, as well as presentater and panelist positions at various writing conferences.

Mandy draws on over 10 years’ experience as a multi-genre author, freelance writer and writing community advocate. She is the current Secretary of The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County and Scouting Manager for Relatable Media and regular columnist of The Relatable Voice magazine. . She is also past President of the Arts & Culture Council of Strathcona Council and past Secretary of Alberta Authors Co-operative. She hosts the local Writers Circle monthly meeting and creates weekly writing prompts for the WFSC website.

Mandy has been blogging since 2010 and has over 3500 subscribers and visitors from 209 countries. Find out more at http://www.mandyevebarnett.com.

Article published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - September 2025.

Downolad the full magazine at:

https://www.relatable-media.com/the-relatable-voice-magazine