In my post Midlife Transformation: Embracing Life Changes, I shared why I chose to retire early at 56. At the time, my life had been mostly consumed by my job. It had become my identity. I knew that when I finally left, I wanted something I could do on my own, without someone telling me when I could take a vacation or how much my time was worth. I wanted to be my own boss.
Finding Digital Marketing
I had been exploring the world of digital marketing since 2020, while isolating and working from home. It started with a simple search for ways to make money from home. I stumbled onto several ideas and started watching YouTube videos to learn more. Honestly, I didn’t know anything about the industry or even what the term meant.
Since then, I’ve watched hundreds of videos. Most of them shared ideas with very little instruction on how to actually do them, or they led to a course the person was selling. I kept watching for almost four years.
Part of what held me back was fear. The idea of not having a fixed income was terrifying, so I waited until I felt like I had no other choice but to retire and finally take the leap.
Digital marketing is simply promoting products or services online, through websites, blogs, social media, email, and search engines. It also covers ways to earn online, like selling your own products, creating digital downloads, or recommending products you use through affiliate links.
What I liked was how many different paths there were, some requiring little to no experience, upfront cash, or tech skills. I just didn’t know which one would fit me best. So I decided to try several and see what felt right for my life and my goals.
Figuring Out Where I Fit
Most videos and blogs tell you to take something you’re good at and build on it. If you’re a mechanic, for example, you could start a blog or YouTube channel about working on cars. That could lead to promoting products, creating a course, or developing a digital product of your own.
For me, it wasn’t that simple. I had only ever worked in corporate management, which covered accounting, contracts, customer service, and HR. My background didn’t point to one obvious business idea, but those skills show up every day in running my own.
The first thing I tried was an Etsy store selling t-shirts. I had no idea what I was doing, how to design a t-shirt, or how to market it. I also didn’t pick a niche, which I now know is one of the most important steps, and it takes real research. I closed the store after two months.
Next came this blog. I eventually took a break to reassess its direction, which you can read more about in my post on the new direction for The Balanced Midlife
Now I’m focused on learning new skills: blogging, building websites, social media, AI tools, print on demand, and more. I’m learning as much as I can about digital marketing and trying different income streams along the way.
What I Enjoy (and What I Don’t)
I’ll be honest: some areas have been harder than others.
The most enjoyable part has been learning how to design: websites, t-shirts, content, images, and more. All of it was completely new to me. Taking an idea and turning it into something real is the best part. My previous job was extremely structured and left little room for creativity, so getting to create something from scratch has been a welcome change.
The least enjoyable part is probably social media content. Trying to keep up with trends feels overwhelming, and it often seems like everyone is doing the same thing at the same time. It also takes a special set of skills to capture someone’s attention in two seconds or less. That’s something I’m still working on, and one I plan to get better at in time.
One thing that helps: when I’m posting, I use Claude together with Blotato to help create and schedule content. It saves me a lot of time and makes the whole process feel more manageable.
Where Things Stand Now
Right now, I’m testing out print on demand, blogging, and digital products. I’ll share more as these projects grow and change, whether I keep building them, shift direction, or try something new.
My goal right now is to find where my passion lies. After all, I didn’t retire to do work that doesn’t feel fulfilling. It’s an exciting time of learning and figuring out who I am after leaving my career behind.
I’m not here to teach anyone how to make money online. I’m sharing what I’m learning, what I’m trying, and what I find along the way. If you’re curious about the tools I use, you’ll find them in the business section of my Resources page.
Final Thoughts
Have you ever thought about starting something new in this season of life?
If you’re interested in digital marketing or want to know more about how I got started, feel free to reach out through my Contact page with any questions or stories you’d like to share. I’d love to hear from you.