Published via Ecency

Many people see retirement as the end of productivity …. Of course, that's general perception but I see it differently. I'm excited about retirement; to me, it's the beginning of a new chapter filled with learning, online work, agriculture, and sharing life experience with others.

My wife is the strongest source of encouragement in this journey of staying active and purposeful after retirement. She also plays the role of the “Major Domo"

The experience from a typical underdeveloped nation, like where I'm writing from, is enough lesson for retirees to tread with caution. Retirement benefits don't guarantee good living; in some cases, like the old system called Defined Benefit Scheme, pension is not paid regularly. High inflation rate has made monthly pensions a mockery. Because of these anomalies, workers are afraid of going into retirement.

Having realised these challenges, I made up my mind to enjoy my retirement by getting involved in activities that are not stressful: I'm turning my hobbies into cash. Fortunately, the Internet has presented a platform for even geriatrics to earn a living. I also have a passion for agriculture; apart from being a source of food, it also helps me to keep fit by performing basic physical tasks.

For online gigs, I do affiliate marketing, content creation, product review, Web3 learning, crypto activities, and blogging. My first eBook is live and I intend to write more. While concentrating online basically to create income streams, I'm getting into subsistent agriculture. I have acquired the skills to run poultry, catfish and snail farming. To make the farming angle easy for me, my wife is involved and she is the driving force …. She is my partner.

To get the best out of my retirement, I pay attention to my health. Without good health, all the wealth created is useless; you can't even be productive if you are sick. I'm happy with my health; though it's not within my power to determine my health status, I take a walk daily, read valuable books, avoid stress, have intimate relationships with my wife (intimacy is very important) and keep faith in God.

Let me chip in a word for those yet to retire, especially those from underdeveloped nations: Since quality life is not guaranteed after retirement, take action now. Start preparing early by learning skills; identify what you can do without stress and acquire skills. Digital skills are highly recommended because as you grow older, physical tasks become difficult to perform. Build multiple income streams; don't rely solely on pension because it's never enough or regular (I'm speaking from experience). Ensure intimate relationships with your spouse; that will be your staying power and motivator.

Final word:
At 66, I may be retired from public service, but I am not retired from life. As long as God gives me strength, I will continue learning, creating, farming, and encouraging others. Even if I live up to 100 years by God's grace, I won't be a parasite.

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