The prospect of retiring is a long way off for me. To be honest, i’m only just embarking on my chosen career - primary teaching. I do know that the idea of retiring doesn’t excite me the way it does others. I’d rather find a job I enjoy so much that it’s actually a pleasure, and being paid is merely a bonus, no doubt this ‘job’ or calling if you like will change as I do, and in the latter years the time spent ‘working’ will reduce. However, I never really see myself retiring completely. Not because I think I would be bored, in fact, I have plenty of interests I could pursue - cooking, craft, horticulture, painting,entrepreneurship, eating out, travel, reading, education, internet…
The Digerati Life summed it up for me;
To me, it means having the time to do the projects of my choosing, without feeling the insecurity of financial instability.
You see, I quite enjoy making money, not because I want to be rich (although that would be nice!). I see it as a measure of success, similar to when I make a meal, the measure of success is how many people enjoyed and commented on it, or when you sit a test, it’s the percentage mark or grade that counts. I find the idea of making money from my own sources quite exciting, and to suddenly not be allowed that buzz because I’ve reached a particular age seems pointless to me. As long as I’m enjoying making money either from working full-time, part-time or via a few side interests ie. internet ventures, freelancing, private tutoring, blogging (??) etc… it makes no sense to suddenly stop at a specific age.
The Simple Dollar also discussed retirement this week;
Retirement is not a shangri-la of doing nothing, at least not in my view - I see it as the point at which I have enough of a financial base to no longer worry about any connection between getting paid and what I’m doing.
I really like this take on it, for me it would be the freeom to take mini-retirements to pursue a specific non-paid interest or to travel, ultimate freedom whilst still making money at least some of the time meaning that you can start living this life before sixty as there is no financial cut off point. I’d like to be living this life from around 45, which is when my main financial burdon (my mortgage) is scheduled to end.
3 Responses to “Retirement - Why I don’t really fancy it…”
I completely agree with you and thought this was a lovely post.
Myla
beingabetterme.blogspot.com
I would love the opportunity to retire whenever I want to and be financially set. (who wouldn’t) But the actual thought of it makes me feel old and my mind can’t even go there!
Great post! I definitely view “retirement” as not necessarily spending the time to luxuriate or travel or do nothing. It is to be in charge of one’s life doing productive things and stuff we feel passionate about when we didn’t have time to do so while busy trying to hold down a job. I guess I’m willing to take that risk now to end the paid job and start anew with my own financial destiny in my hands. You’d say that was “retiring from a corporate setting” but not necessarily retiring from work.
The biggest plus is the flexibility that would offer and hopefully just a better managed schedule, more time with the family. Thanks for this post!