Turning 50: Part 4 – Life Begins at Retirement
Whenever I came across a phrase, “Life begins at retirement”, I always felt it’s too late. Indeed, it’s quite late for your life to start at 60 or 70, but in reality, it is probably what it is for ordinary people like myself, considering how little free time I have in my everyday life, all because of the full-time work taking up a huge chunk of my time and sucking up all my energy.
So, yes, I’m really looking forward to retirement to take back my time, but there is another reason to look forward to, which is to redeem my mediocre life.
Looking back on my (almost) 50 years in the rear-view mirror, I can’t really recall many good memories. During my school years, I was one of those uncool kids that others (consciously or unconsciously) looked down on, so there is hardly anything that I can look back on fondly.
Being an extreme introvert (more like socially awkward 😅) with very little leadership and communication skills, corporate life has largely been a struggle.
As is often the case with such persons, I turned online, aspiring to be “somebody” that I can never be in my real (offline) life. Since early 2000s, I’ve run a total of 4 or 5 websites (my latest attempt being this blue hour photography website, LASTLIGHTS.NET), but none took off. 😅
LASTLIGHTS.NET is my passion project shooting long exposure photography at blue hour.
So, these are why I’m looking forward to retirement. Indeed, it’s my last chance to have the time of my life. I’ll retire early, stay healthy, live super long (I’m gonna outlive all the former cool kids 😂), and spend as much time and energy as needed to live “my life” travelling and shooting long exposure photography at blue hour. 😀
Read All Series
PART 1 Turning 50: Part 1 – Young at Heart or Immature?
PART 2 Turning 50: Part 2 – Aging Is Preparation
PART 3 Turning 50: Part 3 – Underrated and Under-appreciated Corporate Life
PART 4 Turning 50: Part 4 – Life Begins at Retirement
PART 5 Turning 50: Part 5 – In the End, It’s People That Matter
PART 6 Turning 50: Part 6 – 50 Is the Time to Rethink about Life Going Ahead
PART 7 To Be Released on 7 July
NEVER MISS A POST
About the Author: LASTLIGHTS.NET is a passion project of Joey J, a Singapore-based Japanese photographer primarily shooting cityscape photography with long exposure at blue hour. Visit his Home Gallery (30 most favourite photos taken) or download his free eBook, Getting Started with Long Exposure Photography.
26 Comments
Great post Joey! Usually those who look down on the others are just trying to make themselves feel better and should be ignored!
This post can also match your one about shooting for your own self-satisfaction! All my sites have low traffic but I’m just happy posting and that’s all that counts. Hopefully you can retire soon then relax and live the life you want to full of travel and 10/10 weather days 😀
Thanks, I really can’t wait! Will try living in a few different cities for 3 months each, etc. 😅
You’re welcome! Yes would be so much fun, would also be possible if our works let us work from any location! I’d be moving to Tokyo in no time 😅
Indeed! Mine is work from “home”, not work from anywhere. 😅 It’d be so good if we could work from anywhere!
I may have been a cool kid but that never stopped me from calling less popular kids my friends. But it’s no question. You’ll outlive me.
That’s very nice of you. I don’t think I had a friend that was considered a cool kid. 😅 As for outliving or not, we never know. I’m just doing what I can do to increase my chance, because I can’t die before I’m having the time of my life.
Well I wish you good luck and I’ll be standing by showing my support.
Pingback: Turning 50: Part 3 – Underrated and Under-appreciated Corporate Life - LASTLIGHTS.NET
Don’t rush life Joey. Look forward to retirement, but enjoy the present. I started planning my retirement 26 months out and things have worked very well. Would I like to be younger, knowing what I know now? Sure. But, I do not regret my nerdy awkward beginnings, my continually being the new kid in school, my studious nature that led to high marks, my hard work on the farm until I could leave and my progress through my career with long hours and dedication. It made me who I am and I make no apologies for retiring at 61. It was the best promotion I ever worked for. Sometimes, we don’t know which road we are on until we look back at where we came from. Cheers and enjoy 50. Allan
Thank you, Allan, for your encouraging comment! I have no regret, either, as I only can be me, anyway. 😅 I just accept who I am and have tried to survive. The retirement is within my sight now. 😅
Wonderful post! Savour the present moments into and through the ‘retired life’. 🤗🙏💕✨
Thank you! Can’t wait to get started. 😅
Thanks for sharing this idea. So amazing. Anita
Thanks! 😀
Great post well shared 👍👍
Thank you! 🙏
Welcome! Visit my blog! 😁😁
💙💙
I can tell you are ready to go for this next chapter in life. I say, go for it and take it to its limit!
Yes, thanks, but not quite financially-ready. 😂 Need to work some more years at least.
Hi Joey, I’m in awe of your attitude and photography skills. You are fortunate to have such resilience. Many are not as lucky! You are living proof that the best revenge is success.
Thank you, I’ve managed to survive so far, but I guess I’m not quite a success in any sense. 😅 But I’m sure that best years are ahead of me!
Hello Joey,
When I was reading this article, at some point I thought, maybe it’s me. When I was in school, I was awkwardly introvert with lots of emotions. People would hardly notice me when I would be just sitting there in the class. It was okay for me.
However, I have been becoming ambivert from my late 30s and it’s okay for me as well.
I really loved your this article. I think I’m going to read all the other part of Turning 50.
Best of luck dear Joey.
Thank you for reading! I’ve been like this all my life 😅 but nowadays feel quite comfortable about who I am. Just can’t wait to retire and finally live my life. 😅
Pingback: Turning 50: Part 1 – Young at Heart or Immature? - LASTLIGHTS.NET
Pingback: Turning 50: Part 2 – Aging Is Preparation - LASTLIGHTS.NET