Yes – it’s been one whole year since I took my first steps into the world of semi-retirement!
Before the ink on my P45 was dry, I was already winging my way to New York to deal with urgent family matters. By 6am on Day One I was having an early morning coffee in Battery Park, overlooking Lady Liberty – yes, feeling liberated! – reflecting on my career and wondering what lay ahead.
Personally, the timing couldn’t have been better. Before the first month was out, my 93-year-old mother fell seriously ill and, following a month in hospital later in the year, is currently in full-time nursing care. While I carry the inevitable guilt that comes after so many years as her primary carer, our daily time together is no longer defined by routines, logistics, and pills. I get to be her daughter again.
Professionally, I couldn’t quite walk away from 30+ years of creating connections, championing fairness, and celebrating all that’s good about our profession. Alongside my consultancy work, I created Leadership Connect – a safe space for honest conversations around the trickier challenges facing today’s leaders. I also set up HR in Wales which continues to shine a spotlight on the outstanding work going on across Wales, through a reimagined Awards event, and thought-provoking conferences and webinars.
Delivering all this through my own business, with a headcount of precisely ONE, is financially… well, let’s just say interesting! Every penny I earn from the limited time I can devote to fee-earning goes straight back into these initiatives. So I can’t tell you how enormously grateful I am to sponsors and supporters who help cushion the blow and make it possible.
As I close out year one, I’ve realised that salaries, titles, and profits pale in comparison to the freedom and flexibility I now have. I get to invest my time, energy, and experience into work that uplifts others – be that prioritising family, supporting friends through crises, or offering pro bono advice to individuals.
And yes – making sure the HR community in Wales still gets to party!