I retired 6 years ago now (December 2024 as I write this), but I still do the freelance illustration as it comes in from our website I set up in 2008, that I found a market for from 2000.
Drawing and cartooning was an interest from a small child. By "interest" I mean I loved it and did it all the time. I cover some of this in our WHERE THE SMOKE COMES OUT comic. Audio and music later became an interest that lead to a Degree in Electrical Engineering, then working R&D in electronics design and firmware development.
Had to do all kinds of things in my working life, and one was get an understanding of why people are the way they are to deal with and manage them, as well as my internal self.
But the point I am getting to is, I enjoy working alone and not dealing with people. I am an Introvert, that had to work in teams, and later be a manager. I am glad I don't have to do that anymore. I also like making things , be they illustrations, cartoons, comics, paintings, models, sculpting or music made in a studio. Things I can do all by myself in my studio.
I spend a lot of time in my studio now. It is what I want to do.
But I don't always be productive. It doesn't matter if I make something brilliant for myself or not sometimes.
I go out with my wife or by myself to restaurants and cafes, and go out of the crowded times. Except of course when our adult kids and grandson visit.
I did electronics "for my career", and when we downsized in 2019, got rid of all the technical books and magazine, tools and materials I had collected for my career, and to be "up to date". I was pretty good at what I did, but it wasn't easy, and all rather stressful. I just don't care anymore.
Knowing what you want to spend the rest of your life doing is important in retirement. Seems there are many that don't.
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