Finding Shirley Valentine
Shirley Valentine is one of my favourite films. I hadn’t seen it for a while so rewatched it recently.
Based on Willy Russell’s play set in Liverpool in the 1980s, Shirley struggles with a loss of her identity, the sense of her younger self, her dreams, ambition, and fearlessness.
Life has become monotonous; she talks more to her kitchen wall than to her husband; her children have grown up and left home to live their own lives.
We see Shirley grasp the opportunity to join a friend on a holiday win to a Greek island and she revels in this newfound experience, her first trip abroad.
The most poignant scene in the film for me, is when Shirley sits facing the sunset over the sea, alone, and talks about how she has disappeared into her unused life.
She shares the fear that the rest of her life will remain unused, asking,
Why do we get all these feelings, dreams and hopes if they can’t be used?
This distressing reflection is a turning point for Shirley.
She chooses to reset her life, to create new dreams and set new expectations for herself, and the relationship with her husband going forward.
Life changes don’t have to be as dramatic as moving to a Greek island and getting a job in a seaside taverna under bright blue skies, though this may be appealing.
If you want to be focused and proactive in creating retirement on your terms, to use the next stage of your life in a way that fulfils you, be intentional in your reflection and choices.
Get in touch for a conversation about how I can support you in this process.
Photo credit: PARAMOUNT/Allstar
P.S. To receive weekly emails to your inbox with blog articles, resources and Second Spring service information about retirement life planning, sign up to the newsletter here.
You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link at the end of emails.
