Not a distant fantasy

I don’t think I’ll ever truly retire—not in the traditional sense. When I quit my day job, I want to stay active, doing whatever helps me feel productive. But I dream of a season in life where pressure gives way to presence and ambition makes room for quiet joy. I picture sunny afternoons with a book, unhurried mornings with my tea, and the freedom to write whatever I please.  I imagine spending more time playing with Thomas too. That’s not a distant fantasy—it’s something I’m building already. Slowly. Intentionally.

Creative endeavors

Two creative outlets I’m especially committed to are this blog and a novel I’ve been working on. I see the blog as my living memoirs—a space where I respond to daily prompts, reflect on ideas, and share short essays that express who I am. As for the novel: no spoilers until it’s done. But if all goes well, I hope to share it with the world within a year or so. I want to entertain others as much as I’ve been entertained by my favorite authors. It’s time to give back.

Building a community

Through this blog and my social media posts, I’ve been connecting with new people every day. It’s been profoundly rewarding. I’ve received thoughtful feedback, but more importantly, I’ve felt a growing sense of community. I’ve made new friends, and old ones feel closer than ever. Little by little, we’ve come to know each other more deeply. That’s something I value greatly as I think about retirement: I want to stay connected—both in person and online.

So, this is how I want to retire: intellectually active, creatively engaged, and closely connected to the people who matter most. And that’s not some distant fantasy—it’s already taking shape, one day at a time.