Life Styles

Okay, I know I’m pinging back and forth between the concepts of what makes a good marriage and what makes a perfect life. So let’s ping back to living a perfect paradise. What is your perfect life scenario?

If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that the answer to that question generally changes for me about every three to five years. I get this itch, this craving to seek out new places and experiences. I never understood people who hate change - for me it’s as essential as breathing. And so far this approach has worked (though yes, I have settled down in one place for long periods - it’s just not my preference.) The toughest part, though, is in the decision making stage that comes before. I am unsettled ~ out of balance.

For Jeff and I three years ago, paradise meant was escaping to a beautiful country, leaving the stress and intensity of careers behind, living simply in a place with low taxes and health care insurance (not to mention the good fishing). You’d think that’d be enough, right? My word, how greedy can we get to want more?

Maybe not more, but different. The good side is that we retired early - at 47 and 54 years old. But that’s the not-so-good part too. We’ve relished being free from the working world to build our home here. But now that we’re settled, what’s next? Is there a paradise where we can be productive, but without the intensity and stress of major careers? And if so, what do we want to do - who do we want to be - as we continue to evolve?

Our second dilemma is that our present paradise isn’t nearly as inexpensive as we thought it would be. Will our nest egg last? Prices for goods and services are close to those States-side. Should we down-size here or somewhere else?

What are you complaining about? I can hear you say. I’d give anything to be in your shoes. I might be saying the same thing. But really, apart from the retirement part, you might be facing some of the same challenges.

Who do you want to be over the course of the next few years?
Do you stress over the insane cost of living where you are?
Is there really any other place you’d rather be? And if so, how would it change things?

That less one is the biggy for us. Does where you do something change anything?
Hmmm….