The Real Reason I Want to Retire

The real reason I want to retire: Because death is coming.

I know I think about death more than I should. It’s almost a daily occurrence – if not multiple times a day. This is my only life. My conscious time in this universe is constantly counting down. My time in this body and with the people I love is continually diminishing. And I refuse to awaken one day – like many of my relatives have – and realize my best days are behind me. I don’t want to be filled with regret over what I should have done in my life, unable to move on and constantly fixated on the past because I’ll never have that again. That is my greatest fear.

So I’m retiring. I will not wait until my Mom is dead to be free from a work schedule and an alarm clock. I will not wait until I am 68 to visit the places I’ve always wanted to see – because let’s face it either the places or my health might not be there.

When people ask me why I’m retiring I usually steer away from this answer even though it’s honest. My fixation with death seems to be my greatest motivator. I try to live each day to the fullest while also working towards my goals. In 1250 days I will be completely free.