I thought this picture of me passing through a rock arch was a good representation of where I feel I am right now. Thanks to my daughter for the timely click of the shutter. :)
The Past
Most of my adult life was spent doing the things that societal norms said you should do. Somehow though I always felt like something wasn't quite right. In fact even in my late teens I resisted the pressures to join the work a day world and all that comes with it. At the time I didn't have the capacity to see or find a different way and I succumbed to the pressures and did the "right thing".
Now don't get me wrong it wasn't all bad. I have two wonderful kids that I love and the times we had together I wouldn't trade for anything. There were times in my work that I truly enjoyed and I learned a lot of new skills. That feeling of there being a better way never really left me though.
Finally after thirty odd years of making some tweaks to my routine and trying to work with in the system I decided to leave it all behind. Quit my job, sold my house, and moved away from an area I had lived in for over 40 years. I didn't have much in the way of a plan other then to do some part time work live off my house proceeds and wait for some retirement funds to kick in.
In 2016 I got a little more serious about an old hobby, photography. Never the fan of Facebook or the like and ignorant about cryptocurrency, I looked for somewhere to share my hobby and maybe make a little money. I ran across a platform called Steem but some of my old ways persisted and I didn't join for another year and a half. Now there is a decision I wish I had back. :)
The Present
So now I have been on Hive a little over three years. The original reason for joining (sharing photos for money) has evolved into a full fledged Web 3.0/cryptocurrency obsession. I have a little BTC and add a little more every now and then but it will probably in itself never be life changing for me.
I feel that what's going on in the Hive ecosystem... POB, LEO, CubDefi and the whole Web 3.0 movement and beyond is where things will change for me. In fact they already have. Learning and earning on Hive has already become a part time job for me in my retirement. Probably the most exciting and rewarding job I have ever had. :)
The Future
I will keep moving forward with what I have been doing. I will look for more ways to generate passive income to relieve day to day financial worries, spread the word to attract others to join and help make them successful in this new world. And yes, if there is enough, maybe even spend a little on some unnecessary things just to enjoy life a bit. :)
Like the picture shows, I feel like I'm walking through a doorway leading me to a bright new future and that better way I was always looking for.I think the future will find me better off financially and more mentally well than I ever was in the socially controlled work a day world.
Thanks for reading and enjoy your day!