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Great essay. As someone who went down the "FIRE" path, I definitely agree with your take on it.

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Jun 20, 2022Liked by Thomas J Bevan

I've been self-employed via my online creative businesses since 2010.

I've said this for many years now - I don't ever plan to 'retire'. I work 4 days a week, for maybe 4-5 hours a day. I have all the leisure time I could ever want, plus work that gives back to the world and keeps me engaged - why would I want to stop?

I'm in my early 40s now, own my own home outright, have no debt, plenty of investment (not enough to say FU to working just yet, but we'll get there), and my husband also works full-time in the business, so we have complete family flexibility with our time for things like travel.

I know it's not possible for everyone, there are, after all, many necessary jobs that don't work like this, but for me, this was they way to live happy and free.

Every time I talk to my friends in 'normal' jobs (not career callings that are meaningful), they are miserable, and living for 'retirement'.

That's not the path for me. I want to enjoy my life NOW, every single day.

Another great essay, Tom.

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I’m surprised you think the same as me on retirement, but I’ve definitely always thought this way. I wonder if it’s something to do with humble working class beginnings and our obsessions with work that are passed down.

I honestly think once we give into the idea of “retirement”, is when we start to atrophy and lose our faculties.

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