Independent Living
Aug 26, 2024

How Sherrie C. Turned Job Loss into an Adventure-Filled Life

How Sherrie C. Turned Job Loss into an Adventure-Filled Life
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Sherrie Cunningham dedicated 30 years to her job, only to be laid off unexpectedly. The company insisted she pass her accounts to a younger colleague, warning that failure to comply could jeopardize her severance package. "I felt betrayed and angry," Sherrie recalls. Despite her efforts to find new employment, she quickly realized that her age was a significant barrier to getting hired. Turning to her financial advisor, Sherrie developed a plan to remain financially stable. "I am grateful to have savings for such an emergency," she says.

With her financial situation secured, Sherrie faced a new challenge: how to fill her now-empty calendar. A natural adventurer with a competitive spirit, Sherrie seized the opportunity to pursue activities she had always dreamed of.

Embracing a New Lifestyle

Living just blocks from the beach, Sherrie began spending her free time walking and biking along the shoreline. Within a few months of being laid off, she immersed herself in new activities: attending Bible studies, playing pickleball, and joining the Scooter Babes—a group of women who decorate their mopeds and participate in holiday parades. She also volunteered at a local hot meals program, helping serve over 150 meals a day.

Three years have passed since the phone call that ended her career, and Sherrie has filled that time with travel and adventure. She has hiked in Mexico, explored the Mediterranean, and collected sea glass on the beaches of Alaska. Although COVID-19 has limited her travel plans, Sherrie recently attended a family reunion with cousins she hadn’t seen in decades.

A Life of Excitement and Connection

Sherrie approaches life with excitement and a sense of opportunity. When she walks down the streets of her beach town, at least a dozen friends call out, "Hey Sherrie, how are you? What are you up to?" Her response is always something exciting—whether it's playing pickleball, visiting her grandkids, or riding motorcycles with her partner.

"Without a full-time job, I get to do all the things I always wanted to do. I live more frugally now, but I have more time to do the things I love," Sherrie says.

*Authored by Jordan Evans