Thread: What happens to your career as you *ahem* age?

I'm moving my studio into a bigger space in 2 weeks, lots of growth in my career as both a teacher and a performer. And that's great, and I'm ecstatic...

But I can't help wondering where I'm going with all of this. I'm not panicked, I'm sure I can keep going & growing as a teacher and performer for another 10 years. But then.... well, then it will be time to seriously think about how I'm going to fund my retirement. I'll be in my mid-50's, a lousy time to start a new career.

If I start now, I could probably build a reasonable freelance writing career in 10 years. (I used to do this for part of my living). Or I could get my massage therapy certification and take my teaching & massage skills on the road to work at resorts & cruise lines after my kids are grown. Heck, I guess I could pursue all of the above and see what happens. Or I could finish up my degree & go to grad school for physical therapy. That's just not ME somehow, but it would offer more security.

I'm just thinking out loud here. LOL - it's been 15 years since I had a 'real job' and earned a steady paycheck.

Of course I'll never stop dancing or doing yoga! But at some point I'd like to stop doing both as a career and let them be *just for me* again.

Anyone else earning a physical living and wonder about their future? Or anyone IN their future, retired or semi-retired from dance as a career? Advice? Thoughts?

p.s. with the snow & ice here, I live in fear that I'll slip and break a leg. I have no health insurance, something like that would bankrupt me and end my business & career.

I think these thoughts make me crave a little security...

Lauren, you could still go and teach with a broken leg. Just think about that dance instructor from "fame !". All you need is a big stick to bang on the floor to indicate the rhythm ..l;, ..g.:

well, well, well.....i get so much joy at my age, showing off those i have trained, booking them..like my children.
i can pick what jobs i want, book another to what i do not want, or am to old for.
i enjoy the respect.my yearly week end in santa cruz calif.fills any void i might have.lecturing and teaching the staunch old ways .
i enjoy my celiberty in my town, being recognised autographs.i look forward to answering questions from all over the world.
but i think the coaching 5 days a week, to those WHO WANT TO KNOW, is the tops.
dancing with richard hagopian ....yes, it is a royal time in a life!

ooooooo forgot, another great honor ...only due to age.....
MAY 3RD in fresno, the brothers of the balady are playing
the show features ONLY the "grand dames of fresno bellydance".
myself, bayla zena, and ely buffin
i was baylas and elys first bd teacher.

Marry a rich, old guy? J/k.

You're very wise to be thinking about this now. I'm not sure massage or physical therapy are the best choices, as they too wear the body down. Writing seems like a good bet, and as you've done it before, you wouldn't be starting from scratch. There are even tech/marketing writing jobs available at companies that offer health insurance.

With any luck, Obama or Clinton will finally get us universal health insurance, and we can stop worrying so much about that. It eats up so many of our dollars and our anxieties.

Originally Posted by Bellydancingcaroline

Lauren, you could still go and teach with a broken leg. Just think about that dance instructor from "fame !". All you need is a big stick to bang on the floor to indicate the rhythm ..l;, ..g.:

..l;,

Left out an important detail -- osteoporosis runs in my family. When my mom was younger than I am now, she fell & broke her hip. She was in the hospital and bedridden at home for months. Doctors told her she'd never walk again-- luckily she rebelled...

So when I picture falling & breaking a leg, I picture that kind of scenario. Can't bang my stick from my bed at home!

Cory, I admire you so much... but you (and a few other grande dames I've met around the country, including Aunt Rocky) are a marvelous exception. Most bellydancers are no longer dancing or teaching after age 60-65.

I won't be ready to retire that young, and I don't fancy myself one of the grand exceptions, so I do feel the need for a backup plan.

I don't have any advice to offer, but I wanted to congratulate you on your expanding business!! You're an inspiration!

LAuren, I'm with Taj; careers like massage take a lot out of you, and you'll be looking to conserve your energy for dancing then. Writing does sound great, maybe kick-start yourself off with that by taking a local (if there is one) community college class in creative writing, just to get your verbal juices flowing again. I sign up with the local PUD office for a once-a-month hafla near where I live; just a potluck dancer's party. Food, music, dance..fun! (no guys) And it's a great way to keep dancing without the pressure of performing or teaching (plus, the PUD building is free, as are local granges sometimes).

Originally Posted by KHari3

LAuren, I'm with Taj;

Alright... "marry a rich old guy" it is, then! ..l;, ..l;, ..l;,

Seriously, I'm appreciating the input so far. Glad I started the thread, this is helping. You guys are right about the physicality of massage & PT, that's been pointed out to me before and I need to stay aware of it.

Gwyncara -- thanks!!

My massage therapist was talking about going into hypnotheapy.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

p.s. with the snow & ice here, I live in fear that I'll slip and break a leg. I have no health insurance, something like that would bankrupt me and end my business & career.

I think these thoughts make me crave a little security...

Lauren, me personally, I would make alot of sacrifices career-wise for health insurance.

I have been without it for periods of time and the worry caused me much stress. For the short term, you could look into a major medical policy, one that is relatively cheap because it has a several thousand dollar deductible. You don't use it for routine medical treatment and minor problems, you use it for the broken leg, cancer, heart attack, etc.

Sedonia

But Sedonia, you are *such* a hypochondriac. How many of your health "crises" have we lived through since you blew into town? I know that I'm one to talk in relation to health insurance. That is probably one of the biggest factors in my staying employed at the university for so long (to have the coverage for the husband and kids).

Lauren, since you are doing advanced thinking (and thereby planning) on this issue of your future security, you've already taken what can sometimes be the biggest step in the process.

It's probably not enough to live off, but further down the track you could try and earn a bit from getting others to teach your classes while you do all the admin and take the profit. You could expand your satellite classes to add to this, hire your teachers out for birthday/hen's parties and take a booking fee. If your processes are streamlined you would still have time to do another part-time job (perhaps that writing) and together that might be enough to live off. But probably not to retire on.

A plan I have in the back of my mind is to start an online product sales business. You've got to find a niche product that's easy to store in the garage, buy without seeing, and ships easily. I know a dancer who sells printer ink online, and was able to move to a beautiful country town and live off that. Not a glamorous product, just something everyone needs, and such a business is relatively cheap to scale up.

lauren, i live in california.my domestic partner works for a large corporation. since we are "legal", and we have a great governator, i have health ins, vision, dental, prescription etc
we file joint taxes in ca.and get a 2 car discount on auto ins.
so, even though i have had this business since 1973 , there is no way of telling if i could do that for myself in this day and age.
i am sure you will dance/coach yourself to the other side.
z

Lauren, I am a physical therapist who has begun to live a double life as a bellydancer in Monterey, CA. I am thrilled for you on both accounts, your expanding opportunities and your thoughts for a more secure future. Have you considered possibly becoming certified in some lesser form of health care/fitness? There is more and more need for wellness such as pilates, nutritional consulting, or even a PTA (physical therapy assistant)? There are a lot of different choices depending on whether you really still want to be self employed or whether you want to be part of a payroll. If I was in you situation I talk to someone at a local college who works in career counseling or shadow a few workers who do what you think you might want to do later. Of course I'm that kind of analyzer. Anyhow, I thought it was a cool post especially because for a while I felt I couldn't be a "professional dancer" because I was starting late (I started bellydance at age 34) but I am really starting to feel differently. -Annette

Hi, Annette! I started at 35, and my career as a professional dancer is just really taking off, so don't give up!!

I am certified in group fitness, and I'm an RYT. Pilates, etc. would be more of the same, very physical. I'm also a senior in the health & wellness (kinesiology) program at a nearby university, though I took this year off to get my studio off the ground. So going on to grad school for the PT is a logical next step. Nutrition counseling or something is another thought, though.

I've just started teaching meditation in depth to my yoga students, as a Saturday workshop class. I'm finding that fascinating and rewarding, wouldn't it be wonderful to lead mind/body/wellness retreats? Hmmmmmmm...

I know that whatever I do needs to be portable. I'm determined to live outside the US for at least a few years after I get my son tucked away at college somewhere (4 years from now).

Come to Scotland !!! Come to Scotland!!! I'd love to see Lauren Plc. set up shop here. Ooh, but then Italy is nice too. Then there's Egypt. Oooh how exiting.

Hi there Lauren and gang ..g.:
I'm 38 now, and have decided to stop / retire (ok not completely but the most things) from oriental dance when I'll be 45. (my husband doesnt believe it lol)
I feel that I dont have any life, its like teaching 12 hours per day, working for teaching, doing shows, and all this is a loop. I miss my free time, with family, friends etc, ofcourse i have so many interests, but I feel that its holding me back sometimes from real life, and its something like a monolithik thing that i dont do anything else than bellydance.
No time for reading, for going to movies, to theatre, my travelings are all related with bellydance (and I love them), dont have time to paint (my university degree is restoring and painting ancient greek art) or just sitting and looking at the seiling while listening to Deep Purple !!!
I guess insurance/ economics are different in every country, for us in Greece we can be retired (i'll have 27 full years of working at my 45, started at 18) and this means full pension and a BIG bonus. I'm planing to move half year to Cairo (where the cost of life is the 1/5 of Greece) and paint over there lol

Maybe you could start some savings, or find something beside bellydance but not so much body related, more mentaly and communicational also heyyy you are great at communications from what i get from internet.

Kisses
Maria Aya

One of my first balet teachers (Liz trained with the Royal ballet) is in her 70's is still teaching Hatha yoga! She is a part owner in The Fuve Willows Health Center in Lincoln, Ne and loving it. Her goal is to bring teachers and students from all kinds of disciplines to the center. they have even started a spa ont he premisise. Not bad considering this has all happened since she was in her 50's.

five willows | within we are calm

{{{{HUGS}}}

I'll let you know..but then I never had a career
Somewhere there must be a rest home where the zimmers have sparkly lights and the toilet flusher is a big fat tassel

Originally Posted by lizajuk

I'll let you know..but then I never had a career
Somewhere there must be a rest home where the zimmers have sparkly lights and the toilet flusher is a big fat tassel

Where the piped music is Oum Kalsoum and they feed you felafel & baba ganoush?
My friend is a dancer and an architect, and she wants to build it. Trouble is, she wants to build it in Egypt...

Lauren,

If you can, finish your degree. Look at something like physical therapy, exercise physiology, recreational therapy. These are things that you can put your dance and yoga to work in. As baby boomers age there will be more and more call for occupational, physical, and recreational therapists.

Think of it this way--if you were injured in a car accident or developed a serious chronic illness, would you be able to continue your current schedule?

I supported myself for a few years as a freelance writer and editor but the only way I was able to do that was by also working for Kelly Services so I could take advantage of some of their percs. And it was feast or famine. I was either working 18 hours a day on a project or twiddling my thumbs looking for the next one to come my way.

As much as people are encouraging you that you can keep on dancing and teaching, the reality is that as you age, regardless of how good your health and physical condition is, recovery from illness and injury just takes longer.

Don't count on the universal health insurance. It will still involve paying pemiums and copays. And it may never happen, especially if we have another conservative Republican president. I have a great day job with good benefits and health insurance but at 60, I still worry about my future and if I will be able to pay for myself as I age.

Maybe the thing to do would be to sit down and have a long talk with your kids cause it does involve their future as well.

Souzan

Hmmm... I'm thinking I ought to at least finish up my exercise & wellness degree, I can always *write* about wellness topics for the aging population. Although I'd rather be a travel writer.

My goal a few years ago was to build a career as a travel writer and move to Italy (Liguria province, near France/Switzerland borders). During the tourist season, I could work in a resort teaching yoga & bellydance and/or doing massage, the rest of the year I could bop around from that lovely central base and write travel articles. And maybe run an occasional meditation/yoga OR bellydance retreat, mostly for fun but a little supplemental income as well.

But then I found out how difficult it is to get a Visa to live in Italy, or a lot of other countries as well. Hmmm... I might have to marry a rich Italian!! Such a sacrifice.

Heyyyyyyy come to Greece we will be partying all night, going for weekends to Cairo, and also to Rome and Istanbul !!!!


Maria Aya

Hi Lauren.
Good for you for thinking about all this now and congratulations on expanding your current business!

One thing that hasn't really been discussed yet is the fact that America is "greying." In other words, the Baby Boomer retirement flood is here. The older generations need consistent, fulfilling, gentle exercise in order to stay active and healthy. Belly dance is a perfect complement to an older active lifestyle. Not many dancers have picked up on this (that I know of), but it will become a wonderful lucrative niche teaching, producing shows, and such for seniors. (I'm not talking about nursing home residents, either...I'm talking 50+ women who are strong, powerful, and want to have FUN!)

Do you think they'll respond better to a pretty young thing, just out on her own or a seasoned professional dancer who's been teaching for ages and understands the challenges associated with an older class? Senior students are going to want teachers they can "relate" to.

Just a thought...

Oh, and PM me if you want the low-down on professional freelance writing these days (that's been my day job for the past 11 years).

Best of success to you!
Mira

I really hope the us covernment will start to take care of their people and offer medical insurance for everyone. Start to think of the humans instead of capitalism... ehem sorry... ive been reading to much marxism. But i get so angry when thinking of this. ,m::

Lauren, i´ve been thinking about this for quite some time now, I really think all your posts make so much sense, everything you say here is so well put and you seem so clear in your mind. So I bet just listening to you talk could move the listener. I want to hear of you as a writer some day, whatever you will write people will always read.

And MariaAya... im green with envy, restoring and painting greek art and not being able to fint time for it, please try????? (I´m working on my degree in art theory and cultural studies so therefor i have a special interest in this as well)
And dance like an egyptian... Do you also walk like one?

MariaAya -- Greece is definitely on my shortlist!!!

Mira -- I know you're right. But *I* personally can't keep doing this for that long, not as a career. I think 10 more years might be pushing it. Teaching enough classes per week to earn a living at it is going to lead to physical and mental burnout. I hope to be buried in a Bella, but I want it to be just for my personal fun after a point. PMing you, though, about the freelancing.

Originally Posted by fayzah

Lauren, i´ve been thinking about this for quite some time now, I really think all your posts make so much sense, everything you say here is so well put and you seem so clear in your mind. So I bet just listening to you talk could move the listener. I want to hear of you as a writer some day, whatever you will write people will always read.

Awww, Fifi...