I’m sure you’ve heard the saying about time, energy, and money. When you’re young you have time & energy, but no money. You trade your time for money when you are an adult. In the end, you are left with time & money, but no energy to enjoy it when you are older. It’s truly the Devil’s Dilemma.
Early retirement fights those trade offs. While I am not as rich as I might have been, and not as vigorous as I once was, I have more than my share of time, energy, and money to still enjoy in big doses. When it comes to travel, sports, or new hobbies – now is the time to tackle them all.
When people say to me “you are one of the busiest retired people I’ve ever seen,” I think, why shouldn’t I be? I’m just 55 years old and closing out my 6th year of early retirement. I have all the time, energy, and money that I will ever have. If I ever want to do something, damn straight I’ll be doing it now.
So Carpe Diem!
Are your time, energy, and money resources in equal vigor?
Image Credit: Pixabay
MrFireStation 
I couldn’t agree more with your post. We were also very fortunate to retire early (now 55/56 in our 5th year). I’ve tried many times to explain this “life dilemma” to family and friends with only a handful of successes. To be fortunate enough to have all three is a true blessing. When we are young, we think it will all just fall into place magically. By the time most recognize the dilemma for what it is, it’s usually too late for at least one of the three pieces to still fall into place (or you’ve lost one entirely). Those who “get it”early enough to prepare, are certainly the lucky few. Enjoy life! You’ve earned it.
So…
Quam bene vivas refert non quam diu
(“It is how well you live that matters, not how long!”)
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I’m surprised by how many people our age – who are also financially well off – continue to give their time & energy to MegaCorp. I can understand if your job is very exciting or highly purposeful, but many are just plugging away for the company.
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Me too. I have a close friend from my former MegaCorp. He was also a senior level executive there, and about nine years older than me. He is still plugging away at MegaCorp five years after I left. We are close, so I know he’s in a good financial situation, so I just don’t get it. For some, I think it’s purely about the identity. I really don’t think he knows what he’d do, if he couldn’t go to work tomorrow. I find it so sad. The world is too incredible to miss working an entire lifetime.
I had a great career with a great company, but my worst day in retirement still out weighs all of my greatest days working.
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“ The world is too incredible to miss working an entire lifetime” – my thoughts EXACTLY!
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