Retiring at 65 is a HUGE Mistake!

[@julliettecarignan8563]

I absolutely agree we're wise to be conscious about our choices and not to blindly consume any external narrative. If we're unhappy in our career and living only for weekends, yes, we should make changes. But I object to the assumption that working is sacrifice and misery - I think that's as negative a narrative as any. What about the possibility that well-chosen work that suits us can be a fun way to play with like-minded people, to use skills we get a kick out of, to use our brains in a way that delights us and gets us into a great-feeling Flow state? Maybe we even get to travel sometimes, work with people from other cultures, and expand our world beyond what we could do on our own? Let's be open to that possibility. Work isn't necessarily a burden. It CAN be a way to be offerred interesting -- even excitingb -- challenges that we enjoy tackling and get to do it with teams we may really enjoy.

[@DixieDaydreamer]

A lot of the timings we have in our work lives come from the industrial revolution. The 9-5, Sunday Schools, clock towers, lunch breaks, holidays, all these and more are simply things that came about as the workforce got smarter, earned more money but they still needed to be ruled with an iron fist by the factory owners to ensure you had control over the numbers in the workforce. The "16-65 rule" is simply a product of the industrial west, however with a modicum of smarts and a bit of spare money you can break that rule and find what you want. I'm Gen-X and from a poor working class background in the UK. It took me until my early 20s to realise that the classic school-work-retire thing from 16-65 is bullshit. You find ways to make your money work for you, you sacrifice what you don't need and you focus. Each year you work ways to bring that retirement date forward, I'm looking to finally retire around 55, I won't be rich but I'll be comfortable. I'll quit work and then focus on my side-hustles to just rake in some "pocket money" to pay my bills so i spend my pensions on fun stuff.

[@JeremyBadder]

I love that. I wish more people would think for themselves instead of being told what to think. I hope that you achieve the goals that you set for yourself!

[@johnmanier9047]

Inflation will eat you up if you retire

[@JeremyBadder]

Yes, traditional retirement is sad. I have seen it happen to people in my life.-

[@whatsupbudbud]

I had the opportunity to not work for year due to gains in crypto and you know what? I missed work. Not because it defined me but because, in my opinion, humans thrive when they strive for success, and with success I don't mean status or wealth but rather achieving something you set your mind unto. It's a self-validating exercise which, at least for me, creates happiness. That being said, the work must have meaning (to you). I posit the statement that everything is inherently meaningless and it is up to each of us to attach meaning to things and activities. I attach meaning to creating software, doing extreme sports, creating oil paintings and having fun both alone and with other people. There are many ways how I will be able to continue working, love what I do and I'm confident most people can do it as well. Gotta try though. ;)

[@JeremyBadder]

Yes, I don't think doing nothing brings fulfillment and everyone has to decide for themselves what is best. I think building a life for yourself outside of what we are told to do is really what I'm getting at.

[@dystopia-usa]

Living past 65 in the USA is a huge mistake unless you are a part of the billionaire/millionaire class.

[@JeremyBadder]

It is a sad set up that people buy into.