I’m 53 — And I’m Not Done Yet

So, here I am. 53 years old.

And apparently, I’m supposed to start slowing down.

I’m not sure who came up with that idea.

I’ve spent more than 36 years working in transportation, aviation, dealerships, fleet operations, parts, service and everything in between. I’ve had some great jobs, some difficult ones, some big successes and, like everyone else, a few things I’d rather forget.

I’ve learned a lot along the way.

I’ve also made plenty of mistakes.

And I’m still learning.

Starting Over

Recently, I found myself starting another chapter.

Losing a job can mess with your head. Even when you know it’s about restructuring, circumstances or decisions that have little to do with you personally, it can still make you stop and ask yourself:

“What now?”

At 53, that question can feel a little different than it did at 23.

But I’ve come to realize something.

Starting over doesn’t mean starting from zero.

I’ve got decades of experience behind me. I’ve built relationships, managed people, solved problems, dealt with breakdowns, budgets, customers, employees, manufacturers and more than a few situations where the answer wasn’t obvious.

I’ve learned how to figure things out.

That experience doesn’t disappear because one chapter ends.

There Is Still A Lot Ahead

That’s really what Jolly Not Done Yet is about.

I’m not pretending I’ve got life figured out.

I don’t.

I’m still trying to figure out what’s next. I’m thinking about work, money, family, getting older, travel, the things that make me laugh, the things that drive me absolutely crazy, and what I want the next part of my life to look like.

There will probably be some serious stuff.

There will definitely be some opinions.

And hopefully there will be a fair amount of humour along the way.

Because getting older doesn’t mean you stop being curious, ambitious or interested in what’s around the corner.

It just means you’ve got a little more experience to take with you.

Why This Blog?

I started this because I figured there might be other people out there asking some of the same questions.

Maybe you’ve been laid off.

Maybe you’re thinking about changing careers.

Maybe your kids have grown up and you’re wondering what comes next.

Maybe you’re looking at your age and thinking, “Is it too late?”

Or maybe you’re just trying to figure out life like the rest of us.

I’m going to share some of my experiences — the good, the bad, the funny and probably a few that make me shake my head.

I’m not writing because I think I’m an expert on life.

I’m writing because I’ve lived a bit of it.

And I’ve still got plenty left to live.

So at 53, here’s where I stand:

I’ve got a lot behind me.

I’ve got a hell of a lot ahead of me.

And I’m not done yet.