As a child, I always imagined that I would get to a point where I wouldn’t need to work anymore and life would just work on a cruise. I know I’m not alone because many people have said the same thing. It’s like we feel cheated because our parents did everything to make growing up so easy and now we have to face the aspect of reality that we never imagined.
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A friend recently told me about how the worst part of this entire process is how it feels like it’s never-ending and looking at how my dad at 70’s fighting against complete retirement, I know it’s not entirely a lie.
We’re so young yet filled with so many big dreams and so tired. Sometimes I feel like I’m due for that big break but when I think about my parents and where they are now in their lives it feels so far off and almost impossible.
The world isn't as favourable as it was when my parents were young. My dad graduated with a third class and had several companies and institutions searching for him with full employment and a furnished home. He settled for a lecturing position and began to build from there to where he is today.
Today, no one will offer you anything close to a lecturing position if you don’t have at least a Master’s or in some cases, be on your way to get a PhD. It’s tough. The educational system is mediocre now and the competition is high. You’d need to do a lot to make yourself different to get even a little bit noticed.
Some weeks, I get to live my childhood imagination. I don’t work, I just live. But I’m not at peace because I know the feeling can’t be permanent. So my peace turns into a period of anxiety and worry while I think about what I have to do next.
My goal has always been to retire early but I know that won’t be possible because asides from the fact that I know it’ll take a very long while to get there, I can’t help but have a project that requires completion. Productivity keeps me going.
I believe the work we have to do right now is a huge part of what keeps a lot of us sane. And while I know it’s exhausting and frustrating, eventually, we’ll see the benefits of staying focused and getting things done right now.