gone fishin’//into the future
I’m looking forward to having the freedom to explore my passions and interests without the constraints of a 9-to-5 job. Imagine waking up each day with the possibility of doing something you love—whether it’s traveling, spending more time with family, pursuing hobbies, or even starting a small business just for fun. The idea of having the time to truly live life on my own terms is incredibly appealing.
Of course, financial stability is a big part of the equation. I’m actively working on building a solid retirement fund to ensure that when the time comes, I can enjoy my retirement without financial worries. It’s about striking the right balance between living for today and planning for tomorrow.
But I’m hoping to not be annoying about my investment strategy. Nothing like Wallstreetbets or a hedge fund manager, but rather just someone that consistently doesn’t spend money on things I don’t need, but rather puts it away in a savings and/or retirement account. I think my favorite thing to invest in is bonds. Not you junk, corporate type bonds. But rather those grade A, always going to pay a consistent percentage more type of bond. I also like bonds as an investment strategy because when you tell someone you’re buying a bond, it doesn’t lead to a vast amount of questions about why you’re buying those bonds, and in fact is an easy way to get out of a conversation you don’t want to be in. Try it next time you’re in a conversation you find annoying. Just mention the fact that you are thinking about buying government bonds(it doesn’t matter which government), and that will immediately end the conversation.
I suppose healthcare is another consideration for the future. Staying healthy and active is crucial for making the most out of retirement. I plan to prioritize my well-being, embracing a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, and regular check-ups. At least in theory.
I probably fall short of taking care of my health as I would like most days. I tend to forget to get an annual physical done for reasons that are usually not sufficient. I still eat way too much sugar and processed foods due to how easy and accessible they are. And it doesn’t help that I don’t particularly like cooking. It’s not like I won’t cook. I will still make my own food rather than go out to eat, especially rather than going out to fast food. But I would definitely take a wild guess that most doctors would still classify my diet and eating habits as being the dreaded ‘room for improvement’.
But I suppose it’s all about making strides for improvement when it comes to personal health, both physically and mentally. Compared to my health in the late teens and early twenties, I know I’ve definitely gotten better. Unfortunately, I used to smoke, drink, and consume quite a bit of energy drinks. All of which I stopped doing when I turned 25 because I could no longer justify the shitty feeling I had whenever I woke up from doing those things. Granted, I didn’t immediately quit cold turkey, but rather it was a slow process of weaning myself off of each of them over the course of several months.
Though the part of caring for my health that I dislike the most is exercise. I know that it can improve serotonin levels and is good for the body. But it’s the part of health and caring for oneself that feels the most like work, and I have kinda gotten to the point where I really dislike working. So, I tend to do exercises that are the least impactful or strenuous, like walking or stretching. Sure, they won’t get me Hemsworth-like ripped, but I don’t want to look like that either way. I just want to be able to have basic mobility and physical functionality in my seventies without everything hurting all that time.
If you were to ask me what specifically I want to do when I finally retire, I would either have a whole list of activities or hobbies for you, or I would shrug and tell you that I have no clue. I suppose it just depends on the day, week, or month that you ask me. I know I will definitely be reading, but I already do plenty of that already. I would have more time to watch more movies, which would be nice. I might even paint, which I haven’t done on a regular basis since I was a teenager. So, sure, I might not have a definitive plan as to what I will do with my time in retirement, but I suppose I have time, you know, to figure it out.
Ultimately, I look forward to the opportunity to reflect on my life, cherish the moments, and create new memories. Retirement, to me, is not just about stepping away from work; it’s about stepping into a new chapter full of possibilities and experiences. While the future is uncertain and plans may change, the excitement of what lies ahead keeps me motivated and optimistic.
Fred Aiken Writing 