Retired…Gone Fishing - Victoria Lansford

The last couple of weeks have been brutal, and I’ve literally been asking myself when can I retire or at least slow down. I’ve been navigating my way through the work created by other companies’ screw ups, packing up half my house in preparation for renovation, and dealing with the “continuing sto-o-o-ry” of a yes-you-do, no-you-don’t, yes-you-do medical diagnosis.

"Veterinarian's Hospital: The Continuing Sto-o-o-ry of a Quack Who's Gone to the Dogs" sketch from The Muppet Show; image courtesy of Muppet Wiki — “Veterinarian’s Hospital: The Continuing Sto-o-o-ry of a Quack Who’s Gone to the Dogs,” sketch from The Muppet Show; image courtesy of Muppet Wiki

Last week, we were once again back at the cardiology department at Emory Midtown Hospital and ran into the surgeon who saved my husband’s life almost exactly three years ago. When he expressed concern at our being there, I had to own up. “Chris is great! It’s my turn.”

It appears I have a weird and rare vascular disorder that forever more changes what I’m able to do, with a long list of what I can’t do. My husband quipped that my having something typical just wouldn’t be “on brand” for me, humor being the best medicine and all.

I keep asking myself when did I get old, why do I have more medical specialists than commission clients, and why our $4000/month medical insurance policy refuses to cover the drugs that stand between me and an early demise.

So with longevity questioned, I decided to approach the problem like I do design work: My design process is a little of “yes,” a lot of quick “no not thats,” and a bit of “more of this” until things take shape. I get a sketchy idea of what I want, then a long list of what I don’t want.

It beats an existential crisis.

So what does retirement look like?

Well, it’s definitely semi-retirement.

Will I keep making artwork?

Yes!

Will I keep exhibiting my artwork?

Yes!

Will I keep supporting my continuing students who are already enrolled?

Of course!

Will I keep showing up in your inbox?

Occasionally

Will I launch so many time-sensitive metalsmithing courses every year?

(And spend months crafting all the emails, dashboards, and webpages for each one?)

No!!!

I’ve already had to postpone my 3D Filigree course to later this year in order to preserve some bench time in the midst of all the medical appointments.

Underwater Landscape V, Eastern repousse necklace, Photo by Pat Vasquez-Cunningham

Since I don’t love fishing (I’d rather watch paint dry!), my semi-retirement goals are all about being wildly creative without all the admin and marketing needed to rise above all the noise out there. I’ve been hoping AI would catch up enough to lighten my load on course launches, but AI simply can’t be me.

My friend Kelley keeps reminding me that my contemplations are right on time for a major impending birthday. It’s not fun acknowledging that I’m a finite resource, but the thought of ditching my long to-do lists in favor of having more fun definitely does not suck!