I really enjoy your channel, as a 53 yr old looking to retire early I find it really inspiring. This one has really made me stop and think, so thank you for doing it! It’s so hard to balance prioritising today vs protecting for tomorrow. But focussing on experiences rather than material goods is so important and something I need to get better at 👍
Thanks for this lovely feedback- we are glad you found it of use. Never an easy topic to discuss or contemplate. We have found it has really helped us to focus on what is important to us. Thanks again for the comment👍
What a wonderful video and so true and inspirational. I love how you both have your life priorities in a great place. A fun little way to look at a life time is to ask someone how long they think they will live to….then you take a measuring tape out to that latest life end date and also find their current age on the tape. Then show them all they have lived and what is left! It’s a beautiful way to remind you to live right now! A simplified version of your great web site you referenced. Great work!
Love this timeline idea Sharon- so much more hands on than a digital model. Not only that, we don't really know how long the tape measure is going to be. Thanks for your supportive and positive comment. Have a great week👍
All this has been on my mind recently too. I came through a cancer diagnosis two years ago and it certainly makes you see life differently. Grab every day and do the things you love. You've presented so many interesting things to think about here. Thank you
Thanks Helen- glad you are coming through your challenges with such positivity. Although the loss of Dad and my brother were devastating, better things can come from trauma- and that is what I have come to believe. We really are trying to live our best life each day- some days are easier than others to do that- but overall we feel that we are doing ok so far. Many thanks for the comment and sharing your thoughts. Have a super day🙏R
Thanks Anthony- I think it's always good to be honest and put stuff out there. I just hope that it encourages others to talk and think about it. Thanks for the response👍
It's the truth, you never know how much time you have left and money can't be taken with you; Memories are more important than material things. Working for the NHS I have seen alll sorts of things and it shows you how valuable life is. Great video by the way.
Thanks for this David and thanks for what you do in the NHS🙏 I think that the memory thing is the single biggest takeaway from this whole thing. It’s all we are now working for. Thanks for the comment👍R
I've been dipping in and out of your videos for a while Richard and I'm really enjoying your wellbeing Thursday videos sharing your thoughts and reflections on living a fulfilling life. Living intentionally, in the present and simply for the last decade or so has completely changed my life for the better. Thank you for your insights.
Thanks for the lovely comment Janet- you are way ahead of me on the positivity front! All I know is that the small changes and shifts in mindset are really helping me to live my best life. Glad that you are enjoying the channel. Have a good one👍🙏R
Thanks for this Richard. You have summed up so well exactly what we have been thinking/feeling. I experienced a cardiac arrest in Oct 2022 . This event made my wife re-evaluate our lives. We have sold our house, bought a motorhome and are trying to live our best life. Good work, thanks for your insightful words.
Thanks for sharing this Ian- 2022 must have been a pretty scary time! Glad that you are recovered and are gaining the positives from what must have been a really traumatic time. It's great to share these experiences as it really fires me up to keep doing what I am doing. Many thanks. Have a good one and enjoy your adventures👍 R
Thanks Mangal- it's not really a thing we tend to talk about, but there is one certainty in life that we are not going to live forever. We have loved our early retired life so far and everything that it has given us. I am sure you will love it! Many thanks for the comment. Have a great week👍R
I think you have been incredibly brave in discussing this topic, which you have done with sincerity and personal experience. It has resonated deeply with me as I sat down with a coffee to watch your video. My dear Mum is nearing the end of a rich and fulfilling life. Thank you...although I do now need to go and splash my face with cold water!!
Oh gosh Bronwen- not sure I wanted that physical reaction to the video! Glad that you found it of use- the concept has brought me a lot of comfort and confidence over the past few years. Your Mum is very blessed to have lived a full and fulfilling life- it’s what we all aspire to. Those Stoics really did know there stuff! Thanks for the comment and hope you have a good day. Take care🙏
This made me quite emotional, when you were talking about spending those last weeks with your dad. I had the honour of being able to support my sister (physically and emotionally) when her husband was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and sadly died three months later. That time we spent together was awful and yet wonderful at the same time - knowing the true value of life makes you appreciate it so much more. I’m so sorry for your losses - it must have been very difficult losing two loved ones in a short timeframe. I really enjoy your channel, especially the wellbeing and practical videos and you are inspiring me to think about retiring early!
Hi Ros- it was not my intention to bring out emotions- I count the time that I had with both my Dad and my brother in their final months as a gift rather than suffering- it would have been so much worse if we hadn't had that time. We left nothing unsaid, and although losing them so quickly really hurt, and continues to hurt, I know they left in peace. I agree with your sentiment that times like that are both awful and yet wonderful at the same time. It pretty much sums up the feeling- thanks for such a concise and accurate view. Glad that you are enjoying what we do...we are enjoying doing it! Have a good one, and thanks again. 👍 R
@@earlyretirementwanderlust it didn’t make me emotional in a bad way - it was a feeling of thankfulness that you had been blessed with the gift of time, as you said ❤️
Four Thousand Weeks, is one of my go to books. If we are all blessed to have 4000 weeks, we could plan and do such a lot! Life is a gift and time is very precious. I love the idea of memory dividends. Lets face it, no-one is going to say I wish I had worked more! As always you have made some salient points, and I like how you have put them into context of your own life. Another well edited and thought provoking video Richard, well done! Looking at the many comments by others, you have hit the mark with lots of people 😊
Thanks for the lovely comment. 4000 weeks is a book that I keep going back to time after time…and not necessarily when I feel I need help. It’s just one of those books that seems to resonate each and every time I go back to it. Glad you enjoyed. Have a good one🙏👍R
Very interesting. One of the things I'm most proud of is asking my dying Dad what he wanted at his funeral AND telling him I loved him, despite having a very challenging relationship with him over the years. I think you have a healthy attitude towards life (and death). It clearly motivates you to be the best person you can be.
Wow- thanks for sharing this insight. So glad that you managed to get things cleared up. I feel eternally blessed with the short time I had with Dad after his diagnosis. Like I said- no regrets and no words left unsaid. Love is something that we should never hold back. I miss him terribly each and every day, but those conversations stay with me forever. Thanks again for sharing. 🙏 Have a great day.👍
Thanks for this. I also really like Bronnie Ware and her work about regrets of the dying. That made me decide when I retired, I would draw a line and not ruminate over bad things that happened in the past. The here and now is too precious to waste.
Thanks Richard , we are going through a version of this ourselves it’s great to get that reminder of what time we have verses what we want to do with it .
Thanks for sharing this Greg. Life can be pretty cruel at times, but we do have that choice of what we want to do with our time. Thanks for the comment👍 R
Congratulations Richard on being willing to explore what can be difficult territory. Such clarity and sensitivity, rooted in your own lived experience. So authentic and inspiring. I felt privileged to listen to you. Thanks very much. Best wishes to you both.
Many thanks for your kind words Stephen. It is comments like this that really fire me up. It's not an easy topic to discuss, but I think that as a society we need to get better at doing it. Have a great weekend👍R
Powerful stuff. Currently watching my parents come to the end of their lives having wasted the last 20 years having lost sight of all of this stuff. Sadly their legacy is teaching me this lesson from their missed opportunities and wasted time. I still have a long way to go with this but like you, its something that has become much more important to live by in recent times.
Thanks for sharing this and we are sorry for what you are going through- it's never going to be an easy one to deal with. However as you say, there is always something positive that can be drawn from such situations and you seem to be using that fuel well. Nothing seems to prepare us for the challenges we have to face at this time in our lives- but I guess that has always been the same. Sharing ideas and thinking really helps me, and that is one of the main reasons why we are doing what we do. Thanks again👍 R
Another amazing and deep video, Richard. Thank you! After reading 4,000 weeks, and in prep for our early retirement (that launched yesterday, actually!) I created an excel file that has 1900+ lines for each week until I turn 85ish and each week I make note of the highlights of each week. Savoring and remembering fits nicely with the 4,000 hours idea and the Die with Zero book.
Congratulations Susan- here's to the next set of adventures🎉 I love the spreadsheet solution...of course I do😂 I really like the fact that each week you have a visual check of potential time remaining- it must really focus the mind each week. As you are aware, I record my thoughts in a Journal and carry out a weekly review, which helps me record the highlights of the week- what it doesn't do is show me how many empty pages I have still remaining. I need to do bit more thinking on this one. Thanks for the inspiration👍R
Great video 👍 I stumbled upon some of the reflections of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross a decade or so ago. Her observations were definitely a game changer for me. One of my favorites... "There are dreams of love, life, and adventure in all of us. But we are also sadly filled with reasons why we shouldn't try. These reasons seem to protect us, but in truth they imprison us. They hold life at a distance. Life will be over sooner than we think. If we have bikes to ride and people to love, now is the time."
Oh I love a good quote and this is a belter- many thanks! It pretty much sums up everything I was trying to express- but in a much better way😂 Always good to share the thinking that is out there. Many thanks. Have a good one👍 R
What a great video with some awesome points. None of us know how long we have got left. Thanks for sharing this with us. One life make sure you enjoy it.
Thanks Jonathan. It wasn't the easiest message to put together but you are so right in the fact that we don't know how long we have got left so we need to embrace the moment. Have a great weekend👍 R
This is a great video Richard and thanks for putting it out there. It so describes how myself and my partner feel about life since our retirements. I too lost my dad and one of my brothers last year and it certainly makes me think more about the concepts you have mentioned.
Thanks Steve- and sorry for your loss. Life can be really cruel at times, but I always like to think that out of trauma comes growth. I only wish I could have realised how important this concept is without having to go through the experience of loss. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Have a great weekend👍R
I enjoy your wellbeing vlogs, Richard. You are still teaching though early retired! I read 4000 weeks after it came up in the comments of one of your previous videos - then immediately read it again! It really does make you think about how you use your resources of money and time
Thanks Deborah- not sure the teacher thing is a compliment 😂 but after 30 years it’s a hard habit to break. Glad you enjoyed 4000 weeks- it is my go-to book when I want some inspiration or insight and each time I return I get something new. The sign of a good book! Thanks for the comment 🙏 Have a good one👍R
Thanks Sharon- I’m glad you found it useful. I didn’t know how it would go down, but it is an important topic to me and knowing it has been of some use to others out there is a real blessing. Thanks again for your kind feedback 🙏
Once again, your message resonates so powerfully with me from your experience with your parents to the whole notion of living in the present and creating those memories that offer life-giving dividends in the years to come. So glad I found your channel. Thank you!
Thanks Sharon. Jackie and myself count ourselves really fortunate to have found such a great group of people that follow that channel. We get so much out of the experience so thank you! Have a great day🙏👍R
Wonderful reflection Richard. You speak well and truthfully. As noted before, I too have experienced trauma and loss. This has altered my perspective greatly and like you, I have made the conscious decision to live life with gratitude and with renewed purpose. Travel- local and international, walking and exploring, reading, and stamps (you mentioned stamps! I love my stamps!) along with time with family are where I focus my energy. Take good care and I am still jealous of your Shetland trip😉
Thanks Jeff🙏 Mindset is such a strange thing as it changes through our lives. Love that you are on our page re travel and adventures. We are having a blast in Shetland- it has really surprised us and surpassed all our expectations. Hope you are keeping well. Have a good one👍R
Brilliant !! More of your wise words and your dads. On a practical level I think also that we don’t talk about death , about the issues it brings up. and getting less active in mind and body. I’m sure you have had to deal with these issues with friends and family. I have power of attorney for my mother although she has capacity. It’s very helpful for her managing things. But it’s vital to get it in place before any loss of capacity happens. Some people are not clear about all this. Perhaps you could talk about it at some point. Thanks for the chat
That’s a great idea- many thanks👍 Jackie and I chatted about it today and will get our thinking caps on as the LPA is a really important process that up to a few years ago we were absolutely unaware of. Needless to say- we have lots of things to chat about. Many thanks again for your kind words. Have a great day🙏R
Thanks for the comment Brian- not sure the teacher thing is a good thing? Guess 30 years in the job is a hard habit to break. Glad it was of use to you. Have a great day👍R
Really been enjoying your videos, especially the ones like this about intentional living. My plans were set back somewhat by getting divorced in 2012 so in terms of housing and savings I was basically starting from zero again. On the plus side this has led me to be very intentional with the way that I live my life, i'm lucky in that my side hustle is something I enjoy and will happily continue with in to retirement. I'm a civil servant and a juggler which represents about a third of my income. I'm 53 now and although i'll not be able to retire quite as early as you have the juggling job will allow me to work how often I want to, so taking months off at a time will be possible. I'm also a keen hiker and appreciate what you said about doing things now and not putting them off. Last year I did the Everest Base Camp trek, something I had been putting off till retirement but then suddenly realised that anything could happen between now and then that might mean I wasn't able to do it. It's all about finding the balance and you definitely seem to have done that.
Thanks for sharing this- really inspirational👍 I think that if you can do something that you love- it’s not really a job (sure there is a famous quote in there somewhere😂). So good that you can earn from the thing that you love. Love the fact that you did the Everest Base Camp- too often we hold back on these things. We have lots of things that we still want to do on our list and we are slowly working out how we can do them. Thanks again for sharing🙏
Great vlog and very thought provoking, particularly as age wise I'm in front of you, but retirement wise, but to leave my job and adopt the simple life is so daunting. Thankyou
Many thanks for your kind words. If it’s any consolation- we too found the prospect of retirement really daunting- however in reality non of our preconceived worries came to fruition. You may well see that we are having a blast and long may that continue! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts🙏👍R
In my view one of the most important videos I watched recently. The stoic Epictetus already spoke about how death is a natural occurrence and that it can happen at any moment. My favorite book on this subject is the essay ‘On the Shortness of Life’ by the Roman philosopher and senator Seneca. Very compelling and thoughtful. TLDR by CHatGPT 1. Life is Long if Used Wisely: Seneca argues that life is not inherently short; rather, it’s long enough if we manage our time wisely. He believes that people often waste their time on trivial pursuits and distractions, leading them to feel that life is short. 2. Misuse of Time: People commonly squander their time on unnecessary worries, pleasures, and tasks that do not contribute to their personal growth or happiness. Seneca criticizes those who live for others’ expectations or societal pressures instead of focusing on what truly matters. 3. Value of the Present: Seneca emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. Dwelling on the past or worrying about the future can prevent us from fully experiencing life. The present is the only time we truly possess. 4. The Importance of Philosophy: Seneca advocates for the study of philosophy as a means to achieve a meaningful and fulfilled life. He suggests that philosophical contemplation and self-examination lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world, allowing for better use of time. 5. Death is a Natural Part of Life: Seneca reminds readers that death is inevitable and a natural part of life. Accepting this fact can help people live more fully, as they become more conscious of making the most of their limited time. 6. Avoiding Procrastination: One of Seneca’s major points is the danger of procrastination. Many people delay important aspects of life, assuming they will have time later. However, this leads to regret, as life can end unexpectedly. 7. Self-Sufficiency: Seneca emphasizes the importance of being self-sufficient and finding contentment within oneself rather than relying on external sources for happiness or fulfillment. This inner contentment allows for a more peaceful and focused life.
Thanks for this Nico- wow isn’t AI crazy good these days. Love that it happily gets to grips with the Stoic works. Years ago I used a stoic journal that made a lot of sense to me on a daily basis. The messages are so valuable and thankfully are been kept alive today. Thanks for doing the legwork on this- these notes have been cut and pasted straight into my journal notes. Thanks again🙏👍R
@@earlyretirementwanderlust it is only a short few pages to read in full. Highly recommended. I have experienced death frequently in my life and in my family. People that I have known have died in their sleep, in climbing accidents, during plane crashes or due to car accidents, but also quietly in bed surrounded by family. Friends and family have died in their early 20’s and their late 90’s. Some through illness or accidents, some just of old age. It made me read anything a lot about the other bookend in life, next to being born. I learned to celebrate the life of a friend after he died after a long illness. With his wife, family and friends we had a celebration of his life as a musician, we talked a lot, laughed a lot and made music and showed videos of him enjoying life, making music. Reflecting on memories and experiences. That is how it should be. We celebrate the life and shared experiences with the one that is no longer there in body, but still is there in spirit and in our memories. Celebration in the knowledge that at one time, it will be happening to us.
I absolutely agree with this Nico: "We celebrate the life and shared experiences with the one that is no longer there in body, but still is there in spirit and in our memories. Celebration in the knowledge that at one time, it will be happening to us." Although I have no religious views- I truly believe that our loved ones spirits remain in our memories. It has brought me such comfort over the past few years.
Thank you for that profound video Richard. I’m just about to turn 50 & have a very similar outlook; but I’ve really only come to it after losing someone close nearly a year ago. I feel like I changed in so many ways as last year unfolded. First solo camper trip to Shrewsbury next week! Will be visiting the castle, museum, National Trust. Feels like a new life is just beginning. I’ll be ordering Bill Perkins from your Amazon shop later after work! Lovely to hear about your dad. All the best. X
Thanks for such lovely words Louise🙏 Good luck with the camping trip- I’m sure that you will love it. It really is food for the soul, just getting outside and sleeping under canvas. Hope that things are getting easier for you- it’s really tough, but it does ease as time progresses. Thanks for the comment👍 Have a good one and enjoy the camp 🏕️ R
Thank you for your comforting and encouraging words. Just ordered Die With Zero from you, so I can look forward to a great read under canvas after the sight seeing! X
Just finished listening to Your Money or Your Life (for free on library app) read by one of the authors Vicki Robin. One of the questions she asks in the book is whether we use our time to make a living or a dying? Quite a profound idea. Thanks for your thoughts today Richard.
Wow that’s deep Alegna- but I love it. I may have to look into the Library App- as I love audio books and podcasts but audio books seem so expensive at the moment. Free is good😂 Thanks for the comment🙏 Have a good one👍R
Our library offers Borrowbox and it is great for audio books, onscreen books and current magazines just for info. Hope you can access it too in Yorkshire.
Thanks for the lovely feedback👍 The campervan decision can be a tough one if both parties are not convinced! We obviously both love our time in the van and it has quite literally changed our lives and our mindset for the better. Have you thought of hiring a van to pile on the pressure? We are sure once your wife has sampled campervan life she will love it! Best of luck🤞Have a great day👍R
@@johngarceau541 the company is better known for its strong political positions hence wearing that T-shirt is more often associated with that. Doesn’t bother me but not sure if the wider context is known
I really enjoy your channel, as a 53 yr old looking to retire early I find it really inspiring. This one has really made me stop and think, so thank you for doing it! It’s so hard to balance prioritising today vs protecting for tomorrow. But focussing on experiences rather than material goods is so important and something I need to get better at 👍
Thanks for this lovely feedback- we are glad you found it of use. Never an easy topic to discuss or contemplate. We have found it has really helped us to focus on what is important to us.
Thanks again for the comment👍
What a wonderful video and so true and inspirational. I love how you both have your life priorities in a great place. A fun little way to look at a life time is to ask someone how long they think they will live to….then you take a measuring tape out to that latest life end date and also find their current age on the tape. Then show them all they have lived and what is left! It’s a beautiful way to remind you to live right now! A simplified version of your great web site you referenced. Great work!
Love this timeline idea Sharon- so much more hands on than a digital model. Not only that, we don't really know how long the tape measure is going to be.
Thanks for your supportive and positive comment.
Have a great week👍
All this has been on my mind recently too. I came through a cancer diagnosis two years ago and it certainly makes you see life differently. Grab every day and do the things you love. You've presented so many interesting things to think about here. Thank you
Thanks Helen- glad you are coming through your challenges with such positivity. Although the loss of Dad and my brother were devastating, better things can come from trauma- and that is what I have come to believe. We really are trying to live our best life each day- some days are easier than others to do that- but overall we feel that we are doing ok so far.
Many thanks for the comment and sharing your thoughts. Have a super day🙏R
Thanks Richard for sharing your thoughts with such honesty and vulnerability, it’s really appreciated and has provoked much thought.
Thanks Anthony- I think it's always good to be honest and put stuff out there. I just hope that it encourages others to talk and think about it.
Thanks for the response👍
It's the truth, you never know how much time you have left and money can't be taken with you; Memories are more important than material things. Working for the NHS I have seen alll sorts of things and it shows you how valuable life is. Great video by the way.
Thanks for this David and thanks for what you do in the NHS🙏 I think that the memory thing is the single biggest takeaway from this whole thing. It’s all we are now working for.
Thanks for the comment👍R
@earlyretirementwanderlust thanks, 14 years is some going, and I worked through the COVID pandemic, and that was an eye opener.
I've been dipping in and out of your videos for a while Richard and I'm really enjoying your wellbeing Thursday videos sharing your thoughts and reflections on living a fulfilling life. Living intentionally, in the present and simply for the last decade or so has completely changed my life for the better. Thank you for your insights.
Thanks for the lovely comment Janet- you are way ahead of me on the positivity front! All I know is that the small changes and shifts in mindset are really helping me to live my best life. Glad that you are enjoying the channel. Have a good one👍🙏R
Thanks for this Richard. You have summed up so well exactly what we have been thinking/feeling. I experienced a cardiac arrest in Oct 2022 . This event made my wife re-evaluate our lives. We have sold our house, bought a motorhome and are trying to live our best life. Good work, thanks for your insightful words.
Thanks for sharing this Ian- 2022 must have been a pretty scary time! Glad that you are recovered and are gaining the positives from what must have been a really traumatic time. It's great to share these experiences as it really fires me up to keep doing what I am doing. Many thanks.
Have a good one and enjoy your adventures👍 R
Great Video Very thought provoking Richard. I'm taking early retirement aswell whilst hopefully being able to do the things on my bucket list.
Thanks Mangal- it's not really a thing we tend to talk about, but there is one certainty in life that we are not going to live forever. We have loved our early retired life so far and everything that it has given us. I am sure you will love it!
Many thanks for the comment. Have a great week👍R
I think you have been incredibly brave in discussing this topic, which you have done with sincerity and personal experience. It has resonated deeply with me as I sat down with a coffee to watch your video. My dear Mum is nearing the end of a rich and fulfilling life. Thank you...although I do now need to go and splash my face with cold water!!
Oh gosh Bronwen- not sure I wanted that physical reaction to the video! Glad that you found it of use- the concept has brought me a lot of comfort and confidence over the past few years. Your Mum is very blessed to have lived a full and fulfilling life- it’s what we all aspire to. Those Stoics really did know there stuff!
Thanks for the comment and hope you have a good day. Take care🙏
This made me quite emotional, when you were talking about spending those last weeks with your dad. I had the honour of being able to support my sister (physically and emotionally) when her husband was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and sadly died three months later. That time we spent together was awful and yet wonderful at the same time - knowing the true value of life makes you appreciate it so much more. I’m so sorry for your losses - it must have been very difficult losing two loved ones in a short timeframe.
I really enjoy your channel, especially the wellbeing and practical videos and you are inspiring me to think about retiring early!
Hi Ros- it was not my intention to bring out emotions- I count the time that I had with both my Dad and my brother in their final months as a gift rather than suffering- it would have been so much worse if we hadn't had that time. We left nothing unsaid, and although losing them so quickly really hurt, and continues to hurt, I know they left in peace.
I agree with your sentiment that times like that are both awful and yet wonderful at the same time. It pretty much sums up the feeling- thanks for such a concise and accurate view.
Glad that you are enjoying what we do...we are enjoying doing it!
Have a good one, and thanks again. 👍 R
@@earlyretirementwanderlust it didn’t make me emotional in a bad way - it was a feeling of thankfulness that you had been blessed with the gift of time, as you said ❤️
🙏
Four Thousand Weeks, is one of my go to books. If we are all blessed to have 4000 weeks, we could plan and do such a lot! Life is a gift and time is very precious. I love the idea of memory dividends. Lets face it, no-one is going to say I wish I had worked more!
As always you have made some salient points, and I like how you have put them into context of your own life. Another well edited and thought provoking video Richard, well done! Looking at the many comments by others, you have hit the mark with lots of people 😊
Thanks for the lovely comment. 4000 weeks is a book that I keep going back to time after time…and not necessarily when I feel I need help. It’s just one of those books that seems to resonate each and every time I go back to it.
Glad you enjoyed. Have a good one🙏👍R
@@earlyretirementwanderlust ditto
Very interesting. One of the things I'm most proud of is asking my dying Dad what he wanted at his funeral AND telling him I loved him, despite having a very challenging relationship with him over the years. I think you have a healthy attitude towards life (and death). It clearly motivates you to be the best person you can be.
Wow- thanks for sharing this insight. So glad that you managed to get things cleared up. I feel eternally blessed with the short time I had with Dad after his diagnosis. Like I said- no regrets and no words left unsaid. Love is something that we should never hold back. I miss him terribly each and every day, but those conversations stay with me forever.
Thanks again for sharing. 🙏 Have a great day.👍
Thanks for this. I also really like Bronnie Ware and her work about regrets of the dying. That made me decide when I retired, I would draw a line and not ruminate over bad things that happened in the past. The here and now is too precious to waste.
Someone I am going to have to look up. Many thanks for the tip- always good to share!
Thanks for the comment. Have a great weekend👍R
Thanks Richard , we are going through a version of this ourselves it’s great to get that reminder of what time we have verses what we want to do with it .
Thanks for sharing this Greg. Life can be pretty cruel at times, but we do have that choice of what we want to do with our time.
Thanks for the comment👍 R
Congratulations Richard on being willing to explore what can be difficult territory. Such clarity and sensitivity, rooted in your own lived experience. So authentic and inspiring. I felt privileged to listen to you. Thanks very much. Best wishes to you both.
Many thanks for your kind words Stephen. It is comments like this that really fire me up.
It's not an easy topic to discuss, but I think that as a society we need to get better at doing it.
Have a great weekend👍R
Powerful stuff. Currently watching my parents come to the end of their lives having wasted the last 20 years having lost sight of all of this stuff. Sadly their legacy is teaching me this lesson from their missed opportunities and wasted time. I still have a long way to go with this but like you, its something that has become much more important to live by in recent times.
Thanks for sharing this and we are sorry for what you are going through- it's never going to be an easy one to deal with. However as you say, there is always something positive that can be drawn from such situations and you seem to be using that fuel well.
Nothing seems to prepare us for the challenges we have to face at this time in our lives- but I guess that has always been the same. Sharing ideas and thinking really helps me, and that is one of the main reasons why we are doing what we do.
Thanks again👍 R
Another amazing and deep video, Richard. Thank you! After reading 4,000 weeks, and in prep for our early retirement (that launched yesterday, actually!) I created an excel file that has 1900+ lines for each week until I turn 85ish and each week I make note of the highlights of each week. Savoring and remembering fits nicely with the 4,000 hours idea and the Die with Zero book.
Congratulations Susan- here's to the next set of adventures🎉
I love the spreadsheet solution...of course I do😂 I really like the fact that each week you have a visual check of potential time remaining- it must really focus the mind each week.
As you are aware, I record my thoughts in a Journal and carry out a weekly review, which helps me record the highlights of the week- what it doesn't do is show me how many empty pages I have still remaining. I need to do bit more thinking on this one.
Thanks for the inspiration👍R
Great video 👍 I stumbled upon some of the reflections of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross a decade or so ago. Her observations were definitely a game changer for me.
One of my favorites...
"There are dreams of love, life, and adventure in all of us. But we are also sadly filled with reasons why we shouldn't try. These reasons seem to protect us, but in truth they imprison us. They hold life at a distance. Life will be over sooner than we think. If we have bikes to ride and people to love, now is the time."
Oh I love a good quote and this is a belter- many thanks! It pretty much sums up everything I was trying to express- but in a much better way😂
Always good to share the thinking that is out there. Many thanks. Have a good one👍 R
What a great video with some awesome points. None of us know how long we have got left. Thanks for sharing this with us. One life make sure you enjoy it.
Thanks Jonathan. It wasn't the easiest message to put together but you are so right in the fact that we don't know how long we have got left so we need to embrace the moment.
Have a great weekend👍 R
This is a great video Richard and thanks for putting it out there. It so describes how myself and my partner feel about life since our retirements. I too lost my dad and one of my brothers last year and it certainly makes me think more about the concepts you have mentioned.
Thanks Steve- and sorry for your loss. Life can be really cruel at times, but I always like to think that out of trauma comes growth. I only wish I could have realised how important this concept is without having to go through the experience of loss.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Have a great weekend👍R
I enjoy your wellbeing vlogs, Richard. You are still teaching though early retired! I read 4000 weeks after it came up in the comments of one of your previous videos - then immediately read it again! It really does make you think about how you use your resources of money and time
Thanks Deborah- not sure the teacher thing is a compliment 😂 but after 30 years it’s a hard habit to break. Glad you enjoyed 4000 weeks- it is my go-to book when I want some inspiration or insight and each time I return I get something new. The sign of a good book!
Thanks for the comment 🙏 Have a good one👍R
A very thought provoking video ❤Perfect timing Richard 😂
Thank you 🙏
Thanks Sharon- I’m glad you found it useful. I didn’t know how it would go down, but it is an important topic to me and knowing it has been of some use to others out there is a real blessing. Thanks again for your kind feedback 🙏
Once again, your message resonates so powerfully with me from your experience with your parents to the whole notion of living in the present and creating those memories that offer life-giving dividends in the years to come. So glad I found your channel. Thank you!
Thanks Sharon. Jackie and myself count ourselves really fortunate to have found such a great group of people that follow that channel. We get so much out of the experience so thank you!
Have a great day🙏👍R
Thank you, Richard for this video. So so true, ALL of it. You & Jackie are so very inspiring on so many levels! Just love your channel!❤
Thank you Carol for such supportive and kind words. I am glad that the video hit the right spot.
Have a lovely day. 👍R
Fantastic, respect ❤
🙏
Wonderful reflection Richard. You speak well and truthfully. As noted before, I too have experienced trauma and loss. This has altered my perspective greatly and like you, I have made the conscious decision to live life with gratitude and with renewed purpose. Travel- local and international, walking and exploring, reading, and stamps (you mentioned stamps! I love my stamps!) along with time with family are where I focus my energy. Take good care and I am still jealous of your Shetland trip😉
Thanks Jeff🙏
Mindset is such a strange thing as it changes through our lives. Love that you are on our page re travel and adventures.
We are having a blast in Shetland- it has really surprised us and surpassed all our expectations.
Hope you are keeping well. Have a good one👍R
Brilliant !! More of your wise words and your dads. On a practical level I think also that we don’t talk about death , about the issues it brings up. and getting less active in mind and body. I’m sure you have had to deal with these issues with friends and family. I have power of attorney for my mother although she has capacity. It’s very helpful for her managing things. But it’s vital to get it in place before any loss of capacity happens. Some people are not clear about all this. Perhaps you could talk about it at some point. Thanks for the chat
That’s a great idea- many thanks👍 Jackie and I chatted about it today and will get our thinking caps on as the LPA is a really important process that up to a few years ago we were absolutely unaware of. Needless to say- we have lots of things to chat about.
Many thanks again for your kind words. Have a great day🙏R
Great vlog Richard and love the quote at the end 👌🏻
Thanks Dominic- he was a wise man😉 I keep going back to these words when I feel I need a bit of direction.
Have a great day🙏
Thanks Richard for reminding us/ me to live for this moment. Listening to you is like going back to school 😊
Thanks for the comment Brian- not sure the teacher thing is a good thing? Guess 30 years in the job is a hard habit to break.
Glad it was of use to you. Have a great day👍R
Very inspiring video. Thank you so much. ❤
Really been enjoying your videos, especially the ones like this about intentional living. My plans were set back somewhat by getting divorced in 2012 so in terms of housing and savings I was basically starting from zero again. On the plus side this has led me to be very intentional with the way that I live my life, i'm lucky in that my side hustle is something I enjoy and will happily continue with in to retirement. I'm a civil servant and a juggler which represents about a third of my income. I'm 53 now and although i'll not be able to retire quite as early as you have the juggling job will allow me to work how often I want to, so taking months off at a time will be possible. I'm also a keen hiker and appreciate what you said about doing things now and not putting them off. Last year I did the Everest Base Camp trek, something I had been putting off till retirement but then suddenly realised that anything could happen between now and then that might mean I wasn't able to do it. It's all about finding the balance and you definitely seem to have done that.
Thanks for sharing this- really inspirational👍 I think that if you can do something that you love- it’s not really a job (sure there is a famous quote in there somewhere😂). So good that you can earn from the thing that you love. Love the fact that you did the Everest Base Camp- too often we hold back on these things. We have lots of things that we still want to do on our list and we are slowly working out how we can do them.
Thanks again for sharing🙏
Great vlog and very thought provoking, particularly as age wise I'm in front of you, but retirement wise, but to leave my job and adopt the simple life is so daunting. Thankyou
Many thanks for your kind words. If it’s any consolation- we too found the prospect of retirement really daunting- however in reality non of our preconceived worries came to fruition. You may well see that we are having a blast and long may that continue!
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts🙏👍R
In my view one of the most important videos I watched recently. The stoic Epictetus already spoke about how death is a natural occurrence and that it can happen at any moment. My favorite book on this subject is the essay ‘On the Shortness of Life’ by the Roman philosopher and senator Seneca. Very compelling and thoughtful.
TLDR by CHatGPT
1. Life is Long if Used Wisely: Seneca argues that life is not inherently short; rather, it’s long enough if we manage our time wisely. He believes that people often waste their time on trivial pursuits and distractions, leading them to feel that life is short.
2. Misuse of Time: People commonly squander their time on unnecessary worries, pleasures, and tasks that do not contribute to their personal growth or happiness. Seneca criticizes those who live for others’ expectations or societal pressures instead of focusing on what truly matters.
3. Value of the Present: Seneca emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. Dwelling on the past or worrying about the future can prevent us from fully experiencing life. The present is the only time we truly possess.
4. The Importance of Philosophy: Seneca advocates for the study of philosophy as a means to achieve a meaningful and fulfilled life. He suggests that philosophical contemplation and self-examination lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world, allowing for better use of time.
5. Death is a Natural Part of Life: Seneca reminds readers that death is inevitable and a natural part of life. Accepting this fact can help people live more fully, as they become more conscious of making the most of their limited time.
6. Avoiding Procrastination: One of Seneca’s major points is the danger of procrastination. Many people delay important aspects of life, assuming they will have time later. However, this leads to regret, as life can end unexpectedly.
7. Self-Sufficiency: Seneca emphasizes the importance of being self-sufficient and finding contentment within oneself rather than relying on external sources for happiness or fulfillment. This inner contentment allows for a more peaceful and focused life.
Thanks for this Nico- wow isn’t AI crazy good these days. Love that it happily gets to grips with the Stoic works. Years ago I used a stoic journal that made a lot of sense to me on a daily basis. The messages are so valuable and thankfully are been kept alive today.
Thanks for doing the legwork on this- these notes have been cut and pasted straight into my journal notes.
Thanks again🙏👍R
@@earlyretirementwanderlust it is only a short few pages to read in full. Highly recommended. I have experienced death frequently in my life and in my family. People that I have known have died in their sleep, in climbing accidents, during plane crashes or due to car accidents, but also quietly in bed surrounded by family. Friends and family have died in their early 20’s and their late 90’s. Some through illness or accidents, some just of old age. It made me read anything a lot about the other bookend in life, next to being born.
I learned to celebrate the life of a friend after he died after a long illness. With his wife, family and friends we had a celebration of his life as a musician, we talked a lot, laughed a lot and made music and showed videos of him enjoying life, making music. Reflecting on memories and experiences.
That is how it should be. We celebrate the life and shared experiences with the one that is no longer there in body, but still is there in spirit and in our memories. Celebration in the knowledge that at one time, it will be happening to us.
I absolutely agree with this Nico:
"We celebrate the life and shared experiences with the one that is no longer there in body, but still is there in spirit and in our memories. Celebration in the knowledge that at one time, it will be happening to us."
Although I have no religious views- I truly believe that our loved ones spirits remain in our memories. It has brought me such comfort over the past few years.
Thank you for that profound video Richard. I’m just about to turn 50 & have a very similar outlook; but I’ve really only come to it after losing someone close nearly a year ago. I feel like I changed in so many ways as last year unfolded. First solo camper trip to Shrewsbury next week! Will be visiting the castle, museum, National Trust. Feels like a new life is just beginning. I’ll be ordering Bill Perkins from your Amazon shop later after work! Lovely to hear about your dad. All the best. X
Thanks for such lovely words Louise🙏 Good luck with the camping trip- I’m sure that you will love it. It really is food for the soul, just getting outside and sleeping under canvas. Hope that things are getting easier for you- it’s really tough, but it does ease as time progresses.
Thanks for the comment👍 Have a good one and enjoy the camp 🏕️ R
Thank you for your comforting and encouraging words. Just ordered Die With Zero from you, so I can look forward to a great read under canvas after the sight seeing! X
That is really, really inspiring Richard.
Many thanks Lena- I am glad it was of use.
Have a good one.👍
Get the money thing figured out as soon as you can, gives you more time to be mindful
It’s a tough message John, but it does make life easier! Since we early retired we have definitely got more time for us.
Thanks for the comment👍
Inspiring and well said. Thanks Richard!
Many thanks Tony🙏
Just finished listening to Your Money or Your Life (for free on library app) read by one of the authors Vicki Robin. One of the questions she asks in the book is whether we use our time to make a living or a dying? Quite a profound idea.
Thanks for your thoughts today Richard.
Wow that’s deep Alegna- but I love it. I may have to look into the Library App- as I love audio books and podcasts but audio books seem so expensive at the moment. Free is good😂
Thanks for the comment🙏 Have a good one👍R
Our library offers Borrowbox and it is great for audio books, onscreen books and current magazines just for info. Hope you can access it too in Yorkshire.
Great video. Thank you.
Thank you - glad you found it of interest.
Very honest vlog as always 😀🙏🇬🇧❤👍
Thanks Jason- it’s an important topic for me so glad you found it of some use. Have a great day🙏
Great subject
Thanks! I think that it is one that we must not shy away from.👍
Thank you Richard; now I've just got to convince my wife, although she is coming round to idea of getting a campervan.
Thanks for the lovely feedback👍 The campervan decision can be a tough one if both parties are not convinced! We obviously both love our time in the van and it has quite literally changed our lives and our mindset for the better. Have you thought of hiring a van to pile on the pressure? We are sure once your wife has sampled campervan life she will love it! Best of luck🤞Have a great day👍R
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Likewise Alan 🙏
Interesting political T-shirt…
I also drink that coffee, very good
@@johngarceau541 the company is better known for its strong political positions hence wearing that T-shirt is more often associated with that. Doesn’t bother me but not sure if the wider context is known
No political views from me (ever!), but I do like the coffee when in the US. 👍🙏☕️