I'm Gen X and about to retire. I'm excited to have more time for things I love, but stressed about financial stability.

• I started working when I was 13 and haven't stopped since. 
• I'm in my early 50s and been wanting to have more time to do things I love. 
• I started planning for retirement, and while it makes me a little nervous I'm excited. 

Julia put down her fork and blinked across the table at me, lids fluttering as rapidly as a hummingbird's wings. "You're what, now?" my closest friend asked.

"Retiring," I repeated around a mouthful of roasted beets. "End of this year, maybe the beginning of next."