A simple early Monday morning text message exchange with a friend inspired me to write today. She is newly between jobs and is in gray below, and I’m in blue: My last comment sat with me for a few seconds after sending it. My first thought was realizing just how true this was. But the second got me thinking about what I’d really gained by leaving my 23-year career behind almost three years ago today. I usually just reduce this to simple concepts like “time freedom”. But what is that really?
Been a Two Sides viewer for a while now and glad I found this blog - I find myself relating to you and your experiences more often than not. Retiring in March after 37yrs in a career I never planned, and the closer I get the more I realize how much the prospect of freedom motivated me to get here. It’s exciting after being a corporate cog for so long, but realistically I think it will take me a while to re-program my brain to understand I really can stop and smell the roses if I want. I think my for the rest of this year may simply be programming myself to not get locked into routines, and simply learn to appreciate spending time generously on anything and anyone that interests me.
Thanks, Dan. I appreciate your support. Belated congrats on your own retirement! You're 100% right about the time it takes most people to adjust. Best wishes to your on your journey. You've got this!
I'm not sure why your post resonates so much with me today but it truly does. Perhaps it has to do with a couple of recent losses in my life within the past month, first my mother and then my father-in-law. I have been thinking about retiring a lot lately despite not being anywhere near financial freedom but life just seems too precious to waste going into work everyday. I think I've come to the realization that I don't need a million dollars in the bank and I can get by with a lot less if I just put my mind to it.
So thanks for the reminder that life is about the freedom to choose how we all want to live and I believe I will choose my early exit this December when I turn 60. I'll pick up a part time gig that is less stressful than my current job just to keep myself active and provide a little bit of a cushion for the next few years before I begin collecting all of my retirement benefits.
I'm very sorry for your losses, Jason. We sure gain a lot of perspective from the events of our lives, even the sad ones. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I hope that this decision turns out to be as positive a move as you intend. Best wishes to you in all things.
Been a Two Sides viewer for a while now and glad I found this blog - I find myself relating to you and your experiences more often than not. Retiring in March after 37yrs in a career I never planned, and the closer I get the more I realize how much the prospect of freedom motivated me to get here. It’s exciting after being a corporate cog for so long, but realistically I think it will take me a while to re-program my brain to understand I really can stop and smell the roses if I want. I think my for the rest of this year may simply be programming myself to not get locked into routines, and simply learn to appreciate spending time generously on anything and anyone that interests me.
Thanks, Dan. I appreciate your support. Belated congrats on your own retirement! You're 100% right about the time it takes most people to adjust. Best wishes to your on your journey. You've got this!
Thanks Jason, and thank you (and Eric) for sharing so much of your experiences on this journey.
Hi Jason,
I'm not sure why your post resonates so much with me today but it truly does. Perhaps it has to do with a couple of recent losses in my life within the past month, first my mother and then my father-in-law. I have been thinking about retiring a lot lately despite not being anywhere near financial freedom but life just seems too precious to waste going into work everyday. I think I've come to the realization that I don't need a million dollars in the bank and I can get by with a lot less if I just put my mind to it.
So thanks for the reminder that life is about the freedom to choose how we all want to live and I believe I will choose my early exit this December when I turn 60. I'll pick up a part time gig that is less stressful than my current job just to keep myself active and provide a little bit of a cushion for the next few years before I begin collecting all of my retirement benefits.
Cheers to the "Next Phase"
Jason
I'm very sorry for your losses, Jason. We sure gain a lot of perspective from the events of our lives, even the sad ones. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I hope that this decision turns out to be as positive a move as you intend. Best wishes to you in all things.