I need a break from my writing routine. It’s got me feeling a bit bored and restless. I need to bring the joy back.

1. And that’s why the blog is being put on hiatus for a few weeks (or even a few months).
2. As many of you know I’m spending 3 months in Europe next year, in 6 countries, massive DIY itinerary in the works. Bottom line, I’m jazzed about planning this upcoming trip and feel a strong urge to get away from the blog schedule.
3. That said, I’m excited to close out the year with today’s Wrap-Up documenting 2022’s travels, friendships, and memorable events.
4. The #1 highlight of the year for me was making it to Venice for the Biennale (on the temporary passport visa I had received) and then getting word from USCIS, while I was still in Venice, that my Green Card Renewal had been approved!! I was ECSTATIC!
5. Other memorable moments include this year’s birthday celebration at Corner Bar; the Green-Wood Cemetery Moonlight Walk with accordion players, and Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman; Lila Downs in concert. I consider her one of the best live performers working in the music industry today. She connects with her audiences on such a deep level – I’ve never seen anything like it. And finally, in March, my first time back on a plane. I was filled with trepidation but all went smoothly on the way to Austin. The flight back was a disaster. Described in the media as an “apocalypse” of delays, some said the worst flight delays in the history of aviation. It made for a memorable experience!
6. Also major shout-out to Brad. He had a phenomenal year with 2 museum shows, a one-man show in Chelsea, and an extraordinary art residency in Italy at Civitella Ranieri. Next year is shaping up to be equally exciting for him.

And with that please scroll down for the year in pics!

• 10,000 people a day are turning 65 in America. Of course, not everyone retires at 65, but I do think it is important to start planning for that chapter in your life well in advance.
• I did my first “retirement spreadsheet” when I was 50. Finances were a big part of it, but equally important was having a plan for how those days would play out in the absence of a work routine. (See #1 below)
• Retirement entered my life with a BANG with the 2009 Great Recession. I was 60 at the time and had planned to work for another decade. The economic downturn had other plans for me, however, and I was forced to reassess everything about my future. I closed the office, laid off the entire staff, and set up a home office.
• For the next 5-6 years, I was (luckily) able to generate income from projects I could handle solo, e.g., creating custom trend blogs, doing expert interviews, etc. With no office, no staff, and no overhead, I was in a weird kind of liminal space, still happily working but no longer in “growth mode.”
• That should have made the transition to retirement easier but it didn’t. I had created a business that I absolutely loved. It was completely aligned with my interests, and it was exciting, fun, and enormously satisfying. I loved the work and I loved the clients. There was nothing about retirement that seemed more fun or fulfilling than my business. But as you’ll see below, I got through it and am now in the happiest period of my life.
• Everyone’s situation is different, but if you are getting close to your retirement years, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you watch Dr. Riley Moynes’ video below on the various phases of retirement so you can be more prepared than I was (#2).

Scroll down for more …..