Energised again
I am energised again. I solved two issues with payments. Bunq executives never responded and now it’s time to have some fun.
Tonight I take ferry to Banda and it looks like I have a nice hotel to stay at for 3 nights. Before I head back up to the main islands of South Maluku.
Eat, Pray, Love
I feel like I am following my own version of Eat, Pray and Love. First the Camino, then Indonesia, what next?
Yesterday I met so many wonderful people. At the bank they helped me with a bank transfer using cash, and the ladies were so happy to practice English. Whilst in the towns in the south of the main island, I shared out sweets with kids (and also adults) who so liked it. Being connected to people is so needed.
I am so glad I did this trip. I am also learning to let my mind wander a bit and take my time, rather than always jumping into things.
Third book parked
The third book is definitely parked. The timing is not right to complete it. I also have a feeling the narrative of the book is going to change dramatically.
Epic Retirement Facebook Page
I’ve done a post on the Epic Retirement Facebook page and I have 400 likes after barely 1 hour. Then before I know it, it is 3,200+ I feel so humbled and rewarded by the kindness people show in response to my posts. The post says…
Hi all,
I stopped my regular day job four months ago. My wife (who i deeply loved) had been terminally ill with early-onset dementia for several years and passed away in June.
In the early days of her illness, I lost my sense of purpose and motivation for my career. I took quite a bit of time off while she was ill and eventually moved into a far less demanding role. During that period, I realized that stepping away from my usual job sooner rather than later was not only possible but something I wanted to do. It also helped me prepare for the day when I would leave my regular job behind.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
• You can live on much less than you think – I’ve become comfortable living on significantly less than I did when I was working, whether it was four months ago, two years ago, or five years ago. I’ve just become smarter with my spending.
• You can discover new passions – I found a love for writing, and I don’t care if it ever makes me money. It’s refreshing to learn something new without any pressure, and it’s a complete departure from my IT career.
• The world is full of beautiful places and people – If you’ve built up savings or a pension in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or North America, you can travel much more affordably than you might expect. There’s so much to see and experience.
• Be kind to yourself – This is a new phase of life, a journey of discovery. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Explore new things, but also be cautious of slipping into too much time spent on the sofa with a glass of wine.
• We are not immortal – Losing my wife made me deeply aware of this. Don’t let external forces decide how you spend your time. You’ve been given the gift of life, so make the most of it.
• It takes courage – I won’t lie, deciding to stop work at 51 wasn’t easy (and I also know I am very fortunate to be able to do it). I stood at the edge of the diving board many times, looking back. But once I took the plunge, I was so glad I did.
Enjoy your retirement, non-working life, or whatever you choose to call it. Ultimately, it’s about having the freedom to live life on your own terms. Take care, everyone
