Wanting It

I didn’t plan to retire at 34. I had failed to get the job I wanted at one company, and moved to another. It again looked like I wouldn’t be able to take my fate in my own hands. I was frustrated. The South African mentality of not blaming or relying on anyone was in me. Make a plan. Do the work. Except that didn’t seem to be how the world worked in reality. There was too much noise for plans. Too much politics for agency. I did plan for the risk of getting disabled and not being able to work. By 34, I had built enough Capital to live a simple life if some bad fortune prevented my hands from feeding my mouth. Particularly frustrated by my lack of control, the realisation dawned that it was available if I wanted it. I didn’t have to be disabled to stop working for an income. If I refocused on the things that really mattered to me. That meant letting go of traditional measures of status and success. I would be time rich, but seemingly lost to many. But time, space and relationships are what I valued. So I took the step.

First Day Post Work - August 2014