I’m selling a business I have and will be working much less. Over the past 20 years I find I’ve become boring with few interests and hobbies, my focus has been on work and kids. With work going away and kids older I’m worried about having purpose/direction. I’m 48 years old. I intend to work part time for about 18 months then reassess whether I need to work at all.
Welcome! Just because you're selling your business doesn't mean you HAVE to retire. You're still young, and if you don't have anything you are retiring TO, there's no reason you couldn't find other work to do. If you don't want to work full time anymore, maybe you could find a part time job that would let you ease into retirement slowly. It would keep you busy and wouldn't drop you into the great unknown unprepared.
On the other hand, this is a great time to learn more about yourself. Instead of being solely focused on work, try some things and see if you enjoy them. Maybe you'll take up woodworking, or sewing, or cooking. Maybe you'll enjoy restoring old cars, or motorcycles, or going fishing. Take a trip or two, even locally, to see if you enjoy traveling. Or maybe go hiking, there are a million destinations that only cost the gas to get there, and a whole world of wonders to see.
If you're married, spend some time romancing your spouse. Go for walks together, go see a movie or a concert, have a dinner date. You might find it's fun to get to know each other again after all those years focused on work. It could also lead to recreation in the bedroom (or out).
Sleep in late, just because you can. Take a nap. Ride a bike, go swimming, get some exercise, binge watch your favorite TV shows.
Start a side hustle or two. Make crafts and sell them, create how-to or inspiration videos and post them on YouTube, write a book, create a smartphone app or computer program you can sell.
The future is limited only by your imagination.
