Is 60 really the only option to retire, or are there any better options ?
Maybe I can retire today as well, maybe…?
For years, I assumed I’d retire at 60, until I realised that I wouldn’t choose to retire. My employer would decide that I’m no longer fit or have crossed some arbitrary “acceptable age.
But who invented this retirement number ? Who decides if 60 is the most appropriate age ? What if I am healthy enough to work until 70, or what if I am feeling burnt out today at 40, but still have mortgage payments pending ?
I was always good at studies and was confident to lead a good life. My school friends, even today, are confident that I was always amongst the brightest in class. I loved writing stories, debates, articles, and more, and I was good at it.
But all that vanished when I took a full-time job. I’m not saying my job was bad, but I stopped nurturing my passions once I got it.
Actually, I never even calculated how much I really need to lead a comfortable life.
But recently, I realised something important: with 1 year of emergency funds, sufficient Real Estate Assets, & some asset restructuring from my family, maybe I already have enough to live the way I want, not the way my employer expects me to. My savings and assets might easily sustain a modest life. Maybe I don’t need to save more; just ensure cash flow and use my free time to do meaningful work.
1️⃣ Fear of the unknown :
Everything looks fine, yet I hesitate.
What if COVID happens again?
What if a medical emergency drains my savings?
When I look deeper, it’s not the world — it’s fear that holds me back.
2️⃣ Social stigma:
This never bothered me much until I started working from home. Nowadays, people ask, “So what do you do these days?” I’ve always believed no work is small, but society often judges us by where we work, not who we are.
To demonstrate my impact beyond a job title, I began coaching my society kids once a week. Helping them explore their career interests and develop critical skills has been incredibly fulfilling and reminds me that purpose is not defined by employment labels.
Still, as they say, life must go on, so I just ignore the noise now.
💰 I think I have enough for my needs. But there’s never an end to greed.
So, have you ever paused to calculate how much you really need to retire? Maybe you already have enough to live comfortably. Maybe it’s time you can explore the skills and passions you left behind. To turn this reflection into action, I want you to schedule just one hour this week to determine your ‘freedom number’, the amount you truly need to achieve financial independence