As a professional software developer, tackling complex business challenges with innovative technology was the highlight of my job. I genuinely relished this aspect. However, it made up only a small part of my daily routine.
The bulk of my hours were spent in tedious meetings, engaging in seemingly unnecessary administrative tasks, and dealing with an endless influx of emails and instant messages. This was a significant factor that led to my early retirement.
Even during the times when I engaged in the work I loved, there was a lingering frustration. I was eager to truly master my craft and delve deeply into the tools of my trade, rather than just skim the surface. But the reality was, I was constantly trying to be productive during those brief moments at my desk.
My approach was often to learn just enough of a tool or technology to solve the immediate problem before rushing off to tackle the next task. I was in a perpetual state of production, lacking the time to pause and reflect—to participate in my surroundings, rather than merely observe them.
When retirement arrived, I found myself transitioning from being a producer to a consumer, from an active participant to an eager observer. Suddenly, I had the luxury of time to indulge my curiosity fully. I eagerly consumed books, articles, and videos on topics that had long piqued my interest but were overlooked during my working years.
This role reversal is a hallmark of traditional retirement, and those who have already retired might find this perspective familiar.
For those who’ve followed my previous musings, you know rock climbing and thru-hiking are integral parts of who I am. During retirement, these became my top priorities. I’ve diligently filled my springs, summers, and falls with planning and undertaking these adventures.
These activities have been crucial for my successful transition into retirement. Yet, I also crave intellectual stimulation, which occupies my off-seasons.
In pursuit of this, I picked up computational cryptography as a winter hobby, diving headfirst into it with nerdy enthusiasm. I audited a college course on the topic, self-taught the underlying mathematics, and spent countless hours coding its intricate algorithms.
With plenty of time to dive deep into any confusing topic, I could fully understand before moving to the next. This uninterrupted freedom to think was nearly euphoric.
Despite the intellectual reward, there was an unsettling void. This time, it wasn’t frustration but a lack of fulfillment. I wasn’t solving real-world problems or creating tangible outcomes. This purely self-indulgent exploration was an end unto itself, rather than a means to any specific goal.
I initially believed my unique ability to balance my physical and mental pursuits would serve me well in retirement. Now, I wonder if these self-focused endeavors, even if balanced, can truly sustain me in the long run.
I keep searching for some profound insight that might help me say, "yes," but it remains elusive. The one thing I craved while working—time—has become almost overwhelming.
It turns out, I need a mix of giving and receiving for true fulfillment. Simply taking or producing isn’t enough, but most traditional retirement paths only guide us from one extreme to another.
In a typical career like mine, retirement is abrupt. You shift from a full-throttle work life to a standstill. This change is not only about finances but also encompasses more subtle aspects of life.
Chris recently shared a compelling story about his colleague, Riki, who approaches retirement uniquely. Instead of working endlessly toward some distant financial independence, Riki and his wife intersperse their careers with year-long sabbaticals.
These aren’t your typical academic sabbaticals but rather mini retirements. Riki’s career is punctuated by these breaks, avoiding the jarring conclusion most retirees face.
I admire Riki’s innovative approach. Unfortunately, this idea goes against corporate culture, which emphasizes continuous productivity, profit, and shareholder value.
During my travels, I’ve encountered many individuals whose passion overshadows even my own. Some live as nomads, traveling the world to climb or engage in other passions on a budget.
In Utah, I met Rebecca, a Canadian nurse making her way from British Columbia to Tucson for a short hospital stint. Along her journey, she took time to enjoy the west’s climbing and mountain-biking spots.
Rebecca’s flexible lifestyle, facilitated by travel nursing, struck me as a fascinating alternative to my abrupt retirement experience.
This year, I ended my climbing season in Kalymnos, a tiny Greek island. There, I met Dan and Meike, a Kiwi couple with toddlers. They had embarked on a multi-country adventure with their campervan, balancing travel and family life like masters.
Dan works as an independent builder, and Meike handles the home front, leveraging low-cost living and travel to make it all work.
Stories like these prove that with imagination and a willingness to step out of the conventional box, it’s possible to craft a life of adventure and balance. Many like them choose this binge-working lifestyle, stepping beyond the safety of corporate confines.
Of course, choosing these paths involves trade-offs. Without the steady income of a full-time job, saving for a traditional retirement becomes challenging.
Although balancing present and future time comes with risks, these are highly personal decisions, and what works for one might not for another.
Reflecting on my own journey, part of me wishes I had the courage to carve out more time for observation and creativity earlier in my career. Yet, I harbor no regrets. I am grateful for my career’s ability to afford me a retirement full of youthful energy and potential for new adventures.
Five years into retirement, I now contribute to this blog, rekindling a sense of production in my life.
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I’m David Champion. I retired from software development shortly before turning 53, prepared for over 40 years of worry-free living thanks to resources like CanIRetireYet. This newsletter, among only two I subscribe to, has played a part in my financial journey. Sharing my insights here, I hope to live up to the high standard of guidance that CanIRetireYet provides.
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