Transitioning from Chaos to Peace: My Semi-Retired Journey

For as long as I can remember, my life was a whirlwind of constant motion—a relentless grind of late nights, early mornings, and the unending pull of productivity. For years, I lived on a razor-thin margin of sleep, five hours if I was lucky, while the rest of my time was spent churning out words, meeting deadlines, or simply chasing a sense of purpose that always felt just out of reach. I’ve worn every hat: author, psychic reader, promoter, blogger, and creator of content that came pouring out of me like water breaking through a dam. I was Demetri Welsh back then, a name I wore like armor, shielding me from the world while I churned out 20 books, performed readings for clients across the globe, and buried myself in the chaos of constant creation.

Looking back now, I can see just how draining that life was. I worked through burnout after burnout, convinced that if I just pushed a little harder, sacrificed a little more, I’d reach… what, exactly? Perfection? Satisfaction? Peace? The truth is, I didn’t even know what I was chasing. I only knew how to keep moving forward, dragging myself through the fire and convincing myself that stopping was not an option.

Then, everything changed. I stepped into the light as my true self. No aliases, no masks, just me—Derrick Solano. It was liberating, terrifying, and exhausting all at once. In claiming my truth, I also realized that I was done. Done with the endless cycle of creating, pushing, and proving. My work was already out there—six books that laid bare my life, three albums that poured my soul into lyrics and melodies, and countless readings that helped others while I often neglected myself. My life’s story, in all its messy, unfiltered glory, was complete. And with that realization, I knew it was time to step back. Semi-retirement wasn’t a choice; it was a necessity.

But here’s the thing no one tells you about slowing down: it’s hard as hell. Transitioning from a life of chaos to one of peace isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. The habits, the drive, the need to keep moving—they’re all deeply ingrained, and letting go of them feels like tearing out pieces of myself. I’m still learning what it means to just be. To sit still. To watch a movie from start to finish without feeling the pull of my desk calling me back. To read a book—not write one—for the simple joy of it. To step away from my computer without the weight of guilt pressing down on me. It’s like learning to live all over again.

That’s where this blog comes in. Writing here has become my therapy, my outlet, my new passion. This space is mine—raw, unfiltered, unapologetic. There’s no schedule, no rules, no need to package my thoughts into something polished or perfect. I write what’s on my mind, when it’s on my mind, and I write often. Daily. Sometimes multiple times a day. If you’re following along, expect to see me here frequently—because this is where I process, where I vent, and where I rediscover who I am outside the chaos.

Social media? That’s in the rearview mirror. I shut down those accounts months ago, and I don’t miss them for a second. They were noisy, performative, and exhausting. This blog, though? This is different. This is where I can be me without worrying about likes, shares, or filters. Sure, my posts get converted into podcasts and sent out to platforms like Spotify and YouTube, but that’s just part of the process. It’s not about chasing an audience; it’s about facing myself. It’s about saying, “Here I am, scars and all,” and not running away from what that means.

For years, being myself felt like my greatest fear. I grew up believing that authenticity would only lead to abandonment, rejection, and pain. And for most of my life, that belief was proven right. But now, at 38 years old, I’m finally climbing out of that darkness. I’m finally learning to be okay with who I am—even if being myself scares the hell out of me. This blog is part of that journey. It’s my way of reclaiming my voice, of putting myself out there, even if no one else is listening.

If you’ve stumbled upon this little corner of the internet, welcome. Maybe my words will resonate with you. Maybe they won’t. Either way, I’ll keep writing. I’m not here to impress anyone or fit into a box. I’m here to be real. To be messy. To be free. My posts might seem excessive or repetitive to some, but that’s okay. For me, this is a lifeline. This is healing. And if you decide to stick around, know that you’ll be getting the unfiltered version of me, every single day.

So here’s to this new chapter, this new life, and this new space where I can just be. Here’s to the billion thoughts I’ll share here and the billion more waiting to be written. And here’s to anyone reading this who might be searching for their own version of freedom. Let’s figure it out together. Write it, share it, live it—unapologetically. This is my semi-retired life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

So, what does semi-retirement actually mean for me? It means I’m done chasing the endless need to create. I’ve written my life into existence through my six books, and I’ve sung my truths into the lyrics of three albums. My story is out there—raw, unfiltered, and unshakably mine. For now, there are no plans to write another book or compose another song. My creative chapter, as far as books and music go, is closed, at least for the foreseeable future.

But there’s one part of my life I’m not letting go of: my psychic readings. That’s not just work for me—it’s part of who I am. Guiding people, helping them find clarity, cutting through the noise of their lives with honesty and insight—that’s something I’ll do for as long as I’m able, or at least as long as Fiverr lets me. It’s not just a job; it’s a calling, and it brings me a deep sense of purpose. If you’re ever looking for me outside this blog, you’ll find me there, doing what I do best: giving no-fluff, straight-to-the-point guidance to those who need it most.

So, this blog and my readings—these are my retirement. This is the life I’ve chosen for myself, one that’s rooted in honesty, reflection, and connection. And this blog? It’s my new passion, my new playground, where I’ll be sharing my thoughts as often as they come, whether that’s five minutes from now or two weeks down the line. You can expect plenty more posts because I have no plans to slow down when it comes to writing here. This space is mine, and I intend to fill it with every unfiltered thought that crosses my mind.

Until the next post—whenever that may be—take care. Whether you’re here to follow along or just passing through, know that this journey is just getting started. See you soon.