Month: September 2025

• I’m years away from retirement age, but I don’t think I’ll ever fully retire.
• Working keeps me mentally sharp and motivated, and I can’t imagine stopping.
• Though I’m saving money in case something happens, I don’t imagine ever fully retiring.

I’m 38 years old, and I’ve already made peace with the fact that I’ll probably never fully retire. That might sound depressing to some, but for me, it feels like the opposite. It’s invigorating.

Part of my decision is pure practicality. Like most people, I need an income to support my family, and that reality shapes my future. And like most people, I don’t have the kind of retirement savings that will let me stop working completely in my mid-50s, then spend the next few decades in leisure. And honestly, even the traditional path of retiring around 65 doesn’t feel like the future I want for myself.

But even if I did have the means to walk away tomorrow, I’m not sure I would. My work gives me something I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready to lose: purpose, identity, and a way to keep my brain sharp.

My work is a huge part of my identity

I’ve always defined myself at least partially by my work as a freelance writer and nutritionist. However, my career is far from the only thing that matters in my life. I’m also a husband, a father of two, a son, and a friend. While those roles matter most, my work has been a central thread in my life by connecting me to people, shaping opportunities, and giving me a sense of purpose that carries into everything else I do.

When I’ve had stretches of time off (like when our family spent five weeks in Nicaragua in 2023 or all of April in Europe this year), I’ve relished in the freedom… at first. After a couple of weeks, I start to feel antsy. I soon miss my routine. I long for projects to tackle and problems to solve. And, most of all, I miss the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing something well and being recognized for it.

Retirement, at least in the traditional sense, feels like it would be stepping away from all of that. For some people, that’s the dream. For me — at least right now — it feels like it would be giving up a part of myself.

Staying mentally sharp as I get older is non-negotiable

I’ve seen what happens when people stop challenging themselves mentally. Friends’ parents have retired in their 60s and, within a couple of years, seem to have slowed down significantly, both physically and mentally. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but enough that I’ve taken notice.

My work helps keep me thinking and my mind razor-sharp. For example, with the rise of AI, I’ve had to adapt quickly by learning how to use new tools without losing my own voice, and I often interview people from completely different walks of life. One day I might be talking with a registered dietitian about blood sugar research, and the next, a fitness trainer to break down the latest workout trend.

My work isn’t just about the paycheck

Though I do contribute to a retirement account in case I can’t work for some unexpected reason, I don’t see myself stopping completely, even when I reach the traditional retirement age. The financial reality matters, of course, but even if my savings were fully set, I can’t imagine not working in some capacity.

I’ve heard too many stories of people who retire with more than enough in the bank, only to find themselves restless and dissatisfied within a year. They end up consulting, volunteering, starting a small business, or finding part-time work. Often, this isn’t because they have to, but because they want to feel useful again.

For me, the idea of “semi-retirement” (scaling back my hours, choosing only projects that excite me, or shifting into less stressful work), makes a lot more sense than walking away completely.

The picture of retirement I saw growing up just isn’t for me

I think part of the problem is that we’ve been sold one narrow version of retirement: you work hard for 40 years, stop working entirely, then fill your days with leisure. That might work for some people, but I’ve come to realize that my ideal future looks different.

I know I don’t do well when life feels too easy. If I’m not challenged or pushing myself in some way, I start to feel restless and unmotivated. That’s why I plan to keep working for as long as I can, even if that means shifting into mentoring, working on creative passion projects, or doing freelance work that I can do from anywhere. I want the flexibility to travel and spend time with my family, but I also want the challenge, camaraderie, and sense of purpose that work gives me.

Never fully retiring isn’t about clinging to the rat race. It’s about holding on to the parts of work that make life richer and more meaningful. If that means I never “fully” retire, I’m OK with that.

Non-Aligned Movement Condemns U.S. Military Deployment in the Caribbean

The Coordination Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), representing 120 nations, has voiced its support for the members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in their opposition to the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean region, reports 24brussels.

NAM condemned the presence of U.S. military forces in Latin America and the Caribbean via air, land, and sea, specifically highlighting the deployment of a nuclear submarine as a violation of the 1967 Treaty of Tlatelolco. The U.S. has sought to justify its actions by promoting a narrative centered on combating drug trafficking.

The movement expressed its “unequivocal support” for efforts to maintain the region as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone under the Treaty of Tlatelolco, as well as a Zone of Peace as declared by CELAC at its 2014 summit.

This CELAC declaration reaffirmed the people’s right to self-determination, emphasized conflict resolution through peaceful means, and rejected military intervention within the region.

NAM reiterated the significance of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and sovereign equality among nations. The movement also denounced the use of threats, aggressive rhetoric, and military coercion as instruments of foreign policy, particularly in a region committed to diplomacy, peace, and disarmament.

• My daughter is studying abroad in Rome this semester, and I’m very anxious.
• I keep imagining her running into an Amanda Knox scenario, and I can’t get to her.
• I’m still adjusting to the time difference and reminding myself that this anxiety is normal.

My 20-year-old daughter is studying abroad in Rome. It’s an eight-and-a-half-hour direct flight from where we live. (That’s really far away!).

Since she left two weeks ago, I have asked myself multiple times, “Why did I let her go?”

My anxiety wasn’t helped by the fact that “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox” debuted on Hulu just a few days before her departure. It’s a true story about an American student studying abroad in Italy (yes, in Rome) who was falsely accused of murdering her roommate.

Since my daughter left the US, I have checked flights to Rome multiple times, imagining heroic rescue missions, but the sky-high price has kept me grounded (pun intended).

When I saw a photo from her orientation, I was able to calm down a little. It looked more like a wedding reception by a lake than a lecture hall, and I realized she was having an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In that moment, I knew letting her go was the right choice, even if I’m struggling.

This feels harder than college drop-off

One of the reasons I thought I could handle her studying abroad is because I’m already used to her being away at Fordham University in New York City, about a four-hour car ride from home.

She usually only comes back for holidays like Thanksgiving or school breaks, so I assumed I’d be fine with the distance.

But I didn’t factor in how different it would feel with her in a foreign country where she doesn’t speak the language, with a six-hour time difference (almost half a day), and the reality that I can’t easily get to her if she needs me.

I had to find ways to calm my nerves while she’s away for this semester.

The time zone difference is making this all more difficult

Her day in Italy is winding down while mine is only half begun, which makes it tricky to find a good time to check in.

When she was at college in the same time zone, she usually FaceTimed me after dinner. Now, we both keep forgetting each other’s time. On a recent call, when I told her I had just eaten lunch, she laughed and said, “Oh, I forgot you haven’t finished your day yet.”

To help myself adjust, I started using the “World Clock” app on my phone. I put Rome at the top of the list so I can see her local time at a glance instead of doing mental math every time I want to know where she is in her day or if it’s a good time to call her.

I’m reminding myself that my anxiety is normal

Before she left, I ignored an email from her study abroad office because I was in denial that she was actually going. When I finally opened it, the email was so long it felt more like a novella than a simple guide to coping with the distance.

As I read, I came across the “Stages of Transition” and realized I could relate to the “Gray Zone,” the stage when students first arrive and face normal challenges adjusting to a foreign country. I then realized that my time zone checking, constant worrying, and dreams about booking a heroic rescue mission were normal. Well, maybe not the rescue mission, but I didn’t actually buy the ticket, so I’m sort of normal (although my daughter might disagree).

While I was writing this essay, another email arrived from the study abroad office. This one assured me that, unlike Knox, students in their program not only return home safely but also come back more mature, open-minded, and with new personal and professional goals.

At this point, I’ll be happy if she simply returns home in one piece. Any personal growth is a bonus. While we’re on the topic of things she could bring back from Rome, I wouldn’t mind a Valentino dress. But if that’s too much to ask for, an Italian cannoli will suffice.