As I picked up the latest SmartMoney magazine up off my desk, I realized that I am usually drawn to the retirement articles first. I’m always eager to check out the latest information and can’t digest enough of it to satisfy my questions, such as:
- Am I saving enough for retirement?
- What if I really want to retire early?
- Am I investing my money in the right places?
But today, this realization hit me in an almost eerie kind of way. Why am I so obsessed with retirement? Do I hate my job so much that I can’t wait for the day I am able to walk out the door for good?
I don’t know. That’s a lot to think about. I’m only 27. If the traditional retirement age is 65 (and recent signs indicate that this age will be increasing) that’s a long time to be miserable. But, I don’t hate my job. I don’t love my job either, but I do love certain aspects about my job. There’s the people, and the steady paycheck. I feel good about the industry in which I work. I feel like I make a difference.
However, I still find myself wanting for more. I’m guessing my wife (a psychology professor) would tell me that it’s a natural part of the human condition (or something like that…) More of what, I’m not exactly sure, but there are a few things that come to mind:
- Satisfaction
- Security
- Money
- Freedom From the 8-5 Routine
- Opportunity
- Stimulation
- Less Stress
It’s interesting that retirement doesn’t necessarily provide me with any of these things, other than #3. Am I spending too much time obsessing over retirement? Even after contemplating the items above, I don’t think so. Regardless of my feelings about my full time job, the need to take care of me and my family will always exist, including the day I am no longer able to work, even if I want to.
What do you think? Can you relate, or am I the odd ball out in left field?
