Slow Down or Speed Up?

It is the quintessential question of early retirement (or half retirement in my case). For once in your life, you have the freedom to decide how the daily schedule will look. Each and every day. There is a huge amount of hard earned freedom that comes with this possibility. Especially for those who are still relatively young. Unlike traditional retirees, you might have loads of energy and still have many decades of life to live. So should you slow down or speed up? is this a time to jump into a bunch of challenging new projects or curl up on the couch and read a book?

It sounds like a fairly luxurious question, yet I think many of us struggle with it. Is this time to throw ourselves head first into a new venture or catch up on much needed rest and relaxation? Or both?

Slow Down

I am tired. I know. At the fairly young age of 45 I might not deserve such emotions. For many people, I am just at the mid point of a career. Am I being a bit histrionic?

The arduous process of becoming a doctor has tired me out. The years of taking care of people twenty four hours a day have taken their toll. Burned out is not the right term. I think that scarred is more accurate. This work has, at times, wounded me.

I long to let go of the weight of the world. To disabuse myself of such stringent responsibilities. It is so refreshing to wake up in the morning and not have a crushing list of activities to accomplish.

Slow down or speed up? The exhausted physician part of me wants nothing more than a little but of rest.

Speed Up

But, of course, there is a completely other side of me. The side that recognizes that life is hopefully only half way through. There is so much to accomplish and so much time to fill over the ensuing years.

Now is the chance to chase after all those dreams that the indentured servitude of the W2 was holding me back from. My thoughts start to race. I could makeover the blog and finally give it a real go at marketing and monetization. Paul and I could try to take the podcast to a much higher level, and really build an audience.

I could build another business. I have always wanted to give a go at online sales. It seems so invigorating!

Slow down or speed up? So much to do and accomplish. How could I waste this much life just because I’m tired?

Maybe Both?

Of course it doesn’t have to be all black or white. I could slow down my schedule, minimize the activities that I don’t enjoy, and allow some time for adequate rest and relaxation.

And then I can launch into new and more creative ventures. I can start businesses for the fun of it. Maybe build the blog and podcast but, not get overly caught up in the numbers and statistics.

I now have the power to concentrate on the intrinsic value that I glean from activities and let go external validation. I can pace myself base don my inner rhythms and goals.

Doesn’t that sound refreshing?

Final Thoughts

Slow down or speed up? This is an integral question that must be faced by any early or even traditional retiree. The years are long and must be filled somehow. The answer may vary for each person.

I realize that I need a little bit of both. Let go of that which stressed me about about the 9 to 5 and yet embrace new chances to create and grow.

I can forge my own unique path.