Early-retirement wannabe

Marine_life

I am honestly not sure about status - I don't think I am personally that worried about it - although having said that I worked hard to be where I am and feel that I've achieved something. My family are proud of me (but would still love me if I didn't do what I do - I know, I asked them!).

But here's the thing - I'm not good with my hands, I'm good with my mind. I have zero dexterity and zero patience which means learning a new hobby (playing the guitar, basket weaving etc.) is just never going to happen. Even if I could somehow muster the patience I mostly don't have the desire or the ability.

So indirectly it comes down to needing some form of intellectual challenge. There are lots of things I like to do (sports, holidays, listening to music, eating and drinking etc.) but none that you would really meet the need for intellectual challenge.

So, for me, the gap is mental stimulation which needs to be purposeful. When I find what that is then I will probably be ready to retire.

By the way I am also incredibly impulsive so it could be that all the above is rubbish and next week I will simply throw it all in and .....

justme111

reading first comes to mind. spirituality philosophy learning languages communicating with other intelligent people.
a bit surprising that someone obvously intelligent like you denies yourself pleasure of exploring parts of you that were labelled probably in your childhood as "not good at.". I am sure that you know that hands fine motor skills are deeply related to many areas of the brain- you probably shutting down the whole areas of yours by refusing to go out of your comfort zone.

k6chris

justme111 wrote: »

reading first comes to mind. spirituality philosophy learning languages communicating with other intelligent people.
a bit surprising that someone obvously intelligent like you denies yourself pleasure of exploring parts of you that were labelled probably in your childhood as "not good at.". I am sure that you know that hands fine motor skills are deeply related to many areas of the brain- you probably shutting down the whole areas of yours by refusing to go out of your comfort zone.

I have much sympathy with Marine_Life as I certainly have beome conditioned to what I am supposed to be good at (= useful to companies so they will pay me money for it) verses what I actually enjoy doing but am full of self doubt about (= creative stuff). I think one of the issues is that it's quite hard for people who are used to being respected for being good at something, to try something where there is a very realistic prospect of being very poor at it (even if you enjoy it!). I guess we need a JFDI mentor :rotfl:

chiefie

I was rubbish at French at school and now I!!!8217;m fluent (not affluent). I love history and learning the whys and how!!!8217;s of the past as they do indeed repeat themselves constantly. I!!!8217;m planning to learn web design (basics), want to learn the basics of sailing and I already volunteer. I!!!8217;m the same as you in many ways, easily bored without a challenge and am rubbish at diy etc but don!!!8217;t want to be defined by what my job is. It is/was a big part time of me but too big to be honest. I!!!8217;m going to have to learn new stuff and it won!!!8217;t be easy to shift my way of being into something new but I know it has to be done.

Angry_kittens

Marine_life wrote: »

I am honestly not sure about status - I don't think I am personally that worried about it - although having said that I worked hard to be where I am and feel that I've achieved something. My family are proud of me (but would still love me if I didn't do what I do - I know, I asked them!).

But here's the thing - I'm not good with my hands, I'm good with my mind. I have zero dexterity and zero patience which means learning a new hobby (playing the guitar, basket weaving etc.) is just never going to happen. Even if I could somehow muster the patience I mostly don't have the desire or the ability.

So indirectly it comes down to needing some form of intellectual challenge. There are lots of things I like to do (sports, holidays, listening to music, eating and drinking etc.) but none that you would really meet the need for intellectual challenge.

So, for me, the gap is mental stimulation which needs to be purposeful. When I find what that is then I will probably be ready to retire.

By the way I am also incredibly impulsive so it could be that all the above is rubbish and next week I will simply throw it all in and .....

I read in some of your previous posts you enjoyed playing Poker online (and saw success at the low stakes, assume you played cash games?). Have you thought about playing it live at casinos? I'm not talking about the local £50 buy in 1 night tournament types, I think for you something like: http://www.pokerstarslive.com/ept/ May be more up your street.

Do a bit of travel, play some poker, big buy ins, big prizes, the challenge you're looking for?

Bit of a shot in the dark from me but I'm quite into Poker and can only afford the low stakes, I dream of playing at that level someday!

Alibert

Play bridge .. as big a mental challenge as you could possibly ask for, and sociable v

Volunteer at the CAB massive intellectual challenge to develop expertise plus massive people skills challenge

There are scores of other hobbies with intellectual challenge

atush

Anonymous101 wrote: »

I've not been to many of the 'Stans. I'd like to though.

I think you're right. Especially for someone like you. You need a break from the stress of work but don't particularly enjoy not doing very much. Once the stress of work is no longer there then that opens up many more possibilities. :cool:

Japan is amazing BTW. Its certainly one of the favorite places I've visited. I'd love to go back someday. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I've not been to the Stans either. And dont really want to actually visit at least at this point in their history. But a virtual walk thru- that sounds cool.

How do we join Bugslet?

Anonymous101

I also play poker and would love to spend more time practicing that skill. I do have a friend from school that's played professionally for a number of years but online only and usually medium stakes. Playing live at a high standard would be much more appealing to and a good mental challenge.

I think a more immediate goal I'd have would be to learn a language.
If I could retire now after a couple of months rest I'd begin learning Spanish. With more time and not having mental fatigue from work I think it would be much more feasible (and enjoyable) than doing it whilst working. The extra time would also allow for longer trips abroad to practice and fully immerse yourself too!

Anonymous101

atush wrote: »

I've not been to the Stans either. And dont really want to actually visit at least at this point in their history. But a virtual walk thru- that sounds cool.

How do we join Bugslet?

I should have caveated my statement with the safety factor.

Part of visiting a country for me is the social interaction and getting a feel for what its like to live there. Although I'd enjoy a virtual walk through I don't think it would quite cut the mustard as far as visiting is concerned.

I'd be interested to hear how the walk through's are done though.

Marine_life

I am not giving an opinion on this yet....but I want to put the questions out there.

Here it is.

What exactly is "living life to the full"?

I want your definition - not what you think the definition should be.