In two minds about retiring

[Gemini]

For the past 16 years I have worked as a reflexologist. I have a nice relaxing room at home, or will go out to clients who cannot come to me.
Before that I worked in childcare (playgroup leader, leisure centre creche worker, classroom assistant) for over 20 years.
I do enjoy my work and if my life was different I would work a lot more, as I did initially.

16 years ago I had no grandchildren and my parents were self sufficient.
A lot has changed, 3 GC take a lot of my time, and my dad passed away 1o years ago, and my mum at 91 needs more and more of my time.
My OH retired 6 years ago, and with her golf and my weekly commitments we get very little time to do much together most weeks.

I never really intended to retire, but it has sort of happened gradually, scaling down. I have no time to take on new clients and many have dropped away over the years.
I now have one regular client who I go to every 3 or 4 weeks. Our cat sitter comes for a treatment intermittently as she doesn't live locally. Other than that, I give my OH treatments, when I remember or she asks me!

If my one regular client came to me I would not be thinking of giving up, as I enjoy working from home. I have to drive to him, find somewhere to park on the street, carry my couch and bags to the house. If I'm lucky I can park opposite the house if not it can be along walk and a struggle for me carrying the things.
I really like my client, he is my ex next door neighbour and I hope we would keep in touch when I do stop his treatments
Part of me doesn't want to stop, as its another move towards old age! The other thinks I could do without the hassle of going.
He is in his late 70's and doesn't drive, and doesn't want to get the bus over here. He of course came to me when he lived next door, but when I moved he said he would becoming a home visit client, which was fine as I was the one who moved away!

I pay my reflexologist what I earn each month, so I don't actually seem to get any money, bit as it pays for my treatment, it works well.

Anyway, I had better get my skates on and go to him, rather than writing about it

[Nanto2girls]

Decisions decisions Gem.
Only you can decide, but from what you have written i wonder if you are ready to retire yet.

[Plantaholic]

I imagine you could do without the hassle of taking all that stuff to your client.

[Grauntie Mag]

Similar here Gem. I have one client left now apart from OH. I have cut her hair for over thirty years. Now she has Dementia and is housebound, so I go even though I’d rather not but I would never leave her in the lurch. She is in her eighties.
Lugging your couch etc. sounds difficult to say the least. Could he not get a taxi to you?

[Oma]

It sounds like it's not so much wanting to retire but difficulty getting your equipment to your client .
How long can you keep lugging things around Gem . It must feel heavy and as you say your not making anything really so is it worth it xx

[Daisy]

Gem, it's both an easy choice and a difficult one! Once you have decided which of the two options you prefer you will feel ok about it, I'm sure.

I can understand what a hassle it is to visit this one client/friend. If you decide to carry on as you are would it be easier (or possible) to leave your treatment couch at his house?

If you decide not to retire (and you are still a spring chicken) would you feel it was more worthwhile if you recruited just a few more clients, but only on times to suit you at your house. GS2 will be starting school in September, and you will miss him. I know working is no substitute for a gorgeous little grandson, but it might be an idea.

You say you wouldn't think of giving up if your one client came to you, but perhaps you wouldn't mind going to his house if you also had just a few clients at home. It must feel like a bit of a no-man's land at the moment.

But, as I know, you have a huge number of calls on your time. Perhaps it's time to put your own wishes somewhere near the top of your list and think about yourself and what you want. xxx

[Nana]

A difficult choice, but I'm sure you will come to the right decision.

[Gemini]

Thanks everyone.

I'm not going to make any decisions yet. I may have a word with my client and ask if he would consider doing the bus one way, and I would drive him back. He gets free bus fares of course, and it's only a couple of minutes walk from the bus stop to my house. He still travels regularly to Leeds, Manchester, Scarborough and London to theatres, so he's not a stranger to public transport!
If he came by bus he could have a relaxing treatment then be driven home. It's only 3 miles away. It's not the driving I mind its carting stuff about, and not necessarily being able to park close to the house.

[Daisy]

Gem - that's a good idea.

[Plantaholic]

He will surely agree to that suggestion if it means he can still have his treatment Gemini. Especially as he uses public transport at other times.

[Shemadee]

Seems like a sensible suggestion Gem. A taxi for 3 miles might also be worth pricing. Lugging heavy items around must be exhausting and could cause an injury.

[Oma]

I think that's a very good idea Gem , it would benefit both of you .

[Sunshine]

Gem, you definitely need to look after your own needs and wishes. It is impossible to take good care of others if you don’t take care of yourself. You already have demands on your time with precious family. Some good suggestions have been made around your friend who you treat. Maybe put these suggestions to him and between you, you can come up with a plan.
I retired six years ago, aged 59. Initially I had reservations, especially as I really loved my job. It didn’t take long though to fall in love with retirement. A whole new world opened up for me and I wondered how I ever had time to go to work.
Good luck with whatever choice you make. Take care