keongzai

I’m one year older in September. While I inch towards the inevitable end, it also means I am one year closer to retiring before I turn 50.

Retire before 50. What a concept unimaginable by so many in society. I got lucky in my career and started planning for this a few years ago. Perhaps I’ll share more in another post on another day.

As I move from the “35-44” to the “45-54” checkbox in survey forms, I am torn between being grateful for everything I have and feeling anxious that the best years are behind me. Is this what middle age feels like?

To celebrate, I started a “50 for 50” list – fifty things I’d like to accomplish before I turn 50. It’s like a bucket list but we’re starting earlier and giving myself five years to get it all done. Some are travel-related, like spend a month traveling in Japan. Some are things I just need to do, like plan my own funeral. Whatever it is, it’s just to make sure I have some things to look forward to in the next five years.

What are some of the ways you celebrate your special day?