What Would You Do If You Didn’t Have To Work?
What Would You Do If You Didn’t Have To Work?
by Retirebyforty
What would you do if you didn't have to work? Have you read Ernie Zelinsky’s How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free. I really like it because he challenges traditional retirement. Most people only think of retirement as the end of a journey. We feel useful when we work and retirement means the end of that usefulness. However, retirement doesn’t have to be that way. Ernie encourages us to think of retirement as an opportunity to find yourself and rekindle your zest for life.
Early in the book, Ernie asks – what would you want to do if work was abolished in this world? That’s a bit extreme so let’s modify it a bit. Work won’t be abolished so let’s take the primary motivation away. My question – what would you do if you don’t need to work for money? Would you keep working in the same job/career? Think about this. The answer will tell you whether or not you’re in the right place.
What would I do?
If you asked me that question 12 years ago, I wouldn’t have a good answer for you. Sure, I knew that I didn’t want to be a computer engineer forever. However, I didn’t really know what I would do for the rest of my life if I quit my job at 35.
Fast forward to 2020. Now that I’ve been a SAHD/blogger for 8 years, I have a much better idea. I am having the best time of my life. Would I keep doing this if money isn’t a problem? (Stay At Home Dad)
The answer is a big YES! I love being a SAHD (for the most part.) It’s great to spend time with RB40Jr and we have a lot of fun together. Sure, we butt heads sometimes, but that’s natural. Everybody fights a bit when they spend a lot of time together. It’s a privilege to be able to raise our son so closely. Most dads never have the chance to do this. I really appreciate my good fortune. My son loves having a parent at home too.
As for blogging, I probably would continue doing this even if it doesn’t make any money. It’s good for me to put my thoughts down and it keeps my brain active. I can’t imagine retiring early to a life of leisure. At this age (46), I still need some challenges. However, it is a lot of work to write 3 times per week and I’d probably cut back a little. Overall, I really enjoy what I do right now and I’m very grateful for it.
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