Jillian Johnsrud was falling apart. After suffering a miscarriage, she couldn\u2019t pull herself together to return to her job as a youth pastor in DC. She decided to take a month off.<\/p>\n
That unexpected break became Jillian\u2019s first \u201cmini-retirement\u201d \u2014 a deliberate step away from work for at least 30 days to focus on something meaningful.<\/p>\n
Today, Jillian is a mom of six who has taken more than a dozen mini-retirements with her kids, who currently range in age from 8 to 17.<\/p>\n
During her first mini-retirement, she and her best friend piled into her green Honda Civic and drove from DC to Seattle, leaving her 13-year-old son Micah at home with her husband.<\/p>\n
A couple years later, Jillian took Micah, then 15, to Glacier National Park in Montana for another mini-retirement. They saw mountain goats, kayaked together, and swam in ice-cold waters.<\/p>\n
This trip created irreplaceable memories. Sadly, Micah died six years later.<\/p>\n
His death changed how Jillian sees time. She now understands that meaningful moments don\u2019t wait for perfect timing \u2013 they either happen now or vanish forever.<\/p>\n
Waiting for \u201csomeday\u201d might mean missing chances forever.<\/p>\n
This drives her philosophy about mini retirements \u2014 life contains fleeting seasons that we either embrace now or miss entirely.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to share those memories with him there is priceless,\u201d Jillian tells us.<\/p>\n
This understanding shapes her approach with her other children too. From a 10-week road trip to 10 national parks in a pop-up camper to a recent six-month journey across the eastern United States with her five younger children (now ages 8-17), Jillian prioritizes experiences that fit each season of family life.<\/p>\n
Planning your own mini retirement? Jillian recommends focusing on four key areas: managing your time (pick just 2-3 priorities), addressing career logistics (craft a compelling story for your employer), saving money (about 6.5 percent of your income for a month off every other year), and preparing for emotional revelations.<\/p>\n
Jillian emphasizes the importance of separating your mini retirement fund from long-term retirement savings. This separate fund, which she calls the \u201cin-between bucket,\u201d allows you to spend freely on experiences now rather than postponing all enjoyment until traditional retirement age.<\/p>\n
As Jillian puts it: \u201cYou can\u2019t postpone every good thing in your life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n
Timestamps:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising run times. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths.<\/em><\/p>\n (0:00) Introduction to mini-retirements<\/p>\n (0:59) Definition of mini-retirement: stepping away from work for 30+ days to focus on something meaningful<\/p>\n (3:03) Jillian shares her first mini-retirement story after experiencing personal loss<\/p>\n (8:28) Taking time off to enjoy important life moments before they pass<\/p>\n (12:12) Jillian\u2019s trip to Glacier National Park with her son Micah before he passed away<\/p>\n (20:33) Four components of planning a mini-retirement: time, career, finances, unexpected challenges<\/p>\n (34:14) Time management: choosing 2-3 clear goals rather than trying to do everything<\/p>\n (42:39) Career strategies: how to present your mini-retirement to employers<\/p>\n (1:01:29) Financial planning: saving 6.5% of income for monthly breaks every other year<\/p>\n (1:14:34) Handling unexpected challenges that arise during your time off<\/p>\n (1:20:01) How mini-retirements reveal personal issues you\u2019ve avoided through work<\/p>\n (1:33:32) Jillian\u2019s recent family adventures with five children<\/p>\n Thanks to our sponsors!<\/p>\n NetSuite<\/strong><\/a> Indeed<\/strong><\/a> Wayfair<\/strong><\/a> Pestie<\/strong><\/a> Shopify<\/strong><\/a> <\/div>\n![\"listen](\"https:\/\/affordanything.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/listen-to-afford-anything-on-itunes.png\")
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