Retirement, But Make It Couture: How I Imagine Clocking Out of the Hustle

Daily writing prompt

How do you want to retire?

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Let me be very clear: I do not want to retire quietly. I want to retire like I just wrapped my final runway walk—head high, heels on, and preferably with a standing ovation. Or at least a decent espresso in my hand and no notifications on my phone.

Retirement, for me, isn’t just an endpoint. It’s a curated exit. A Voguegenics Glow-Out™.

Some dream of golf carts and gated communities. That’s adorable. But I want a cozy, gothic-modern cottage she-shed nestled somewhere on my property, green and moody, with stained glass windows, a little overgrown herb garden, and enough time to write, paint, and say “no” without guilt. Think: Morticia Addams meets Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give. Someplace where I can decorate and go to exist for a while, uninterrupted without compromise.

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And while we’re at it, I want to retire with my health intact, my finances stable, and my closet still dangerous. I’m definitely not hanging up my style just because I’m hanging up the 9-to-5.

I want to pour into my grandbabies (if I have them), into my community always, and into lattes with zero urgency. I want to take midday naps without explaining myself. I want to be that older woman at the farmer’s market giving unsolicited skincare advice and still somehow being right about everything. Because, of course, I will be.

I want to retire with peace in my home and peace in my bones. But I also want a little sparkle. OK, maybe a lot of sparkle. A little chaos I choose. A soft life that still has volume.

And if Voguegenics has anything to say about it, I’ll still be writing, still sharing, and still reminding everyone that glow-ups are timeless.

Already dreaming of your glow-up years? Check out The Voguegenics Method: A 30-Day Glow-Up for Mind & Style. Let’s start designing the life you’ll want to retire into.

Dorey Duncan Scott Senior Litigation Paralegal

Hi! I’m Dorey Duncan Scott, a mother of three, wife and fashion entrepreneur. I started my career in fashion back in the early 90’s when I did print, still and runway modeling. I studied Fashion Merchandising, Music Business and Marketing, while also obtaining certificates in such industry-necessary areas such as make-up, styling and runway choreography. In addition, I had work as a spokesmodel for several brands, appearing in print and in person. As a former model, turned senior litigation paralegal, artist manager and on-air personality with a passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development, I bring a unique combination of style, strategic thinking, and legal expertise to my work. My years navigating the legal world have sharpened my attention to detail, while my experience and passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development drives my desire to help others feel empowered and help them in their journey toward self-empowerment. My experience in the fashion world has taught me the power of confidence. 

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