As someone who is retired i feel i should point something out.
The reason retirement exists isn’t so you can have an eternal vacation.
It’s because your body is so broken that you cant go on.
Every day is filled with dread and terror about what’s going to break next. And every “incident” you think, “oh shit is this it”.
There is no such thing as aging. You peak then you slowly die. Maybe the process is for 5 years, maybe for 30. It’s all just luck of the draw. And the whole time there is fear. Fear of that disabling event that send you to the “home”. Fear of the money running out. Fear of death it self. I’ve lost track of the number of times i found myself incapacitated and face down on the floor.
This comment hits hard in the emotions. I’m doing everything I possibly can to not rush through my life. The situation of cotemporary life is dizzying with necessary task rushing–better pay that bill before I forget, better go see the folks soon again just in case its my last opportunity, better savor one more cuppa before the sun sets. Its maddening really. We know we have to rush just to survive, but we have to hold a 2nd focus toward “taking it all in” because we are acutely aware these really are the good ole days we will long to return to for the rest of our overly demanding and rushed days. I hate life🥴
That’s why I started running at age 45. Unless I get injured and can’t run any more, I am kinda hoping that my heart will just explode one day on the track, and that’ll be it. (I have already surpassed my one mile running pace from my 20’s and have no plans to slow down.)
The injury bit would really suck, as spending the rest of my days not able to walk would be really bad. Even more so as I am using running as a way to delay the process of arterial stenosis that has already started at my kidneys. (I suspect my life would get really suck, really quick, if I can’t actively manage that. It’s already put me in the ICU once, just about one year ago.)
I got a small glimpse into how my body is breaking down already and decided focus on the things I could actually do to slow that down.
Still, even with the risks, I am able at least point my physical health and well-being in a much better direction that should pay off (hopefully) in my last 40 years. (Quitting booze a few years ago probably ensured that I would still have a family around that gives a shit about me, so there is that as well.)
I can’t predict the future and eventually my body will still give out regardless. Doing what I can now to ensure a smooth path out is just about the only thing I can do.
As someone who is retired i feel i should point something out.
The reason retirement exists isn’t so you can have an eternal vacation.
It’s because your body is so broken that you cant go on.
Every day is filled with dread and terror about what’s going to break next. And every “incident” you think, “oh shit is this it”.
There is no such thing as aging. You peak then you slowly die. Maybe the process is for 5 years, maybe for 30. It’s all just luck of the draw. And the whole time there is fear. Fear of that disabling event that send you to the “home”. Fear of the money running out. Fear of death it self. I’ve lost track of the number of times i found myself incapacitated and face down on the floor.
Dont rush to get here, it’s not fun.
This comment hits hard in the emotions. I’m doing everything I possibly can to not rush through my life. The situation of cotemporary life is dizzying with necessary task rushing–better pay that bill before I forget, better go see the folks soon again just in case its my last opportunity, better savor one more cuppa before the sun sets. Its maddening really. We know we have to rush just to survive, but we have to hold a 2nd focus toward “taking it all in” because we are acutely aware these really are the good ole days we will long to return to for the rest of our overly demanding and rushed days. I hate life🥴
Sure, but you’re not having to work until you die. So, big win for you
That’s why I started running at age 45. Unless I get injured and can’t run any more, I am kinda hoping that my heart will just explode one day on the track, and that’ll be it. (I have already surpassed my one mile running pace from my 20’s and have no plans to slow down.)
The injury bit would really suck, as spending the rest of my days not able to walk would be really bad. Even more so as I am using running as a way to delay the process of arterial stenosis that has already started at my kidneys. (I suspect my life would get really suck, really quick, if I can’t actively manage that. It’s already put me in the ICU once, just about one year ago.)
I got a small glimpse into how my body is breaking down already and decided focus on the things I could actually do to slow that down.
Still, even with the risks, I am able at least point my physical health and well-being in a much better direction that should pay off (hopefully) in my last 40 years. (Quitting booze a few years ago probably ensured that I would still have a family around that gives a shit about me, so there is that as well.)
I can’t predict the future and eventually my body will still give out regardless. Doing what I can now to ensure a smooth path out is just about the only thing I can do.