Ok, so I'm only 22, but I can't imagine wanting to retire. Am I the only one out there who loves their chosen profession? If you love what you do, then I see no reason to retire. Retirement is for people who dislike their jobs.
I refuse to settle for a career that simply pays the bills. I want more. I've worked hard and I deserve to be happy in my job. I love the path I've chosen, but if 2 months, 5 years, or 20 years down the road I decide that I no longer like what I do, I'm going to change my career.
This isn't saying that there won't be bad days. Its not saying that what I do won't be hard or frustrating. All I'm saying is that I'm excited to enter a profession in which I can wake up MOST days and look forward to going to work. Why should I give that up?
Some people have told me that it becomes more difficult to change careers as you get older and that is why most people stick with their jobs even if they are unhappy. I don't disagree with this, but that doesn't mean its no longer worth it. I know its cliche, but life is about the journey, not the destination. If I'm not happy, then no amount of money and no number of difficulties or roadblocks are going to keep me from pursuing my passion and doing what I love.
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but there is a point where you get too old to do some jobs. retiring isn't always about quitting because you don't love you job, but because you physically can't do it, or do it well. Also, many people retire to spend more time with their family, which is not at all a bad thing. So don't jump to look down on people who retire, but at the same time, love your career, and live life to the fullest wherever you are, retired or not.
-Anne Michelle
Retirement is for people who dislike their jobs.
Well, that's blatantly ignorant. Retirement isn't for people who dislike their jobs, its more for people who get to a certain point where they can physically no longer work.
I love the path I've chosen, but if 2 months, 5 years, or 20 years down the road I decide that I no longer like what I do, I'm going to change my career.
Good luck with that. In 20 years you'll be considered "to old" to change your profession [unless you take up working for Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds].
Or maybe I didn't put it very well. I'm new to Progressive U, so forgive my first blog if it was not precise enough.
I never said Retirement is ONLY for people who dislike their jobs. I guess I should have said "Early retirement is for people who dislike their jobs." Of course people will need to retire when they can no longer physically work. But I don't know many 55-year-olds who can no longer physically do work. And yes, I also realize that many people retire to spend more time with their family, but I guess the kind of job I'm looking for is not one that forces me to choose between my family and my career.
And my point with my second statement was exactly what you said. That I would be considered TOO old to change my profession. But I think that sucks. Why couldn't I start a new career at the age of 42? Or 72 for that matter? The whole reason I wrote this blog was to share my disappointment at the fact that people do get stuck in jobs that they don't necessarily like and then feel like they can't get out of them or do something else.
I'm sorry if I came off strong, but I can see where you're coming now that you've explained to me.
I can understand the whole retirement issue. My grandfather worked up until he was 86 and his company forced him to retire. He worked for that company for about 62 years and continued to work even after having a severe heart attack.
I also agree that it sucks when you're 42 or 72 you're considered "too old" to get into a new profession. When you stated that I had thought you meant that if you didn't want your career anymore you were simply going to just get up and change it.
Well, I know its not that easy, but if I don't want my career later in life, I'm going to try my damnedest to get up and change it. I hope that I never feel that way, but if I absolutely hate my job and dread going to work every day, then I would absolutely going to explore all my other options to turn my life around.
There's a woman who's been substituting in my school for more than 40 years. She's about 86 now. I asked her why she keeps coming to work every day, because she can afford not to. She said she just loves and loves being around the kids. Her husband's dead and her own children don't care. We're all she has left, she told me. What more can you ask for than spending your last days with your favorite people?
And so, I totally agree with you.
Peace and blessings,
-Liz