It’s strange how life works. You spend decades imagining retirement as a time of calm, freedom, and the chance to do exactly what you want. And yet, as the moment approaches, I find myself busier than ever. Somehow, the countdown to freedom has become a rush against time.
The house, for example, seems to demand attention on every corner. Renovations that once felt like small projects now feel like mountains to climb before we leave. Every decision carries weight, every task seems urgent. In trying to prepare for a life of leisure, I’ve realized that preparing can be its own kind of stress.
Work, too, has taken on a new dimension. Staying focused, staying relevant, keeping up with changes — it all feels harder than it used to. I notice how easily my attention drifts, how much effort it takes to maintain the pace I once managed with ease. And I wonder, as the days shorten, how to leave on my own terms, feeling fulfilled and confident, rather than worn out.
Through all of this, I am learning an important lesson: that slowing down is not giving up. That stepping back, letting go of the pressure to perfect every detail, and allowing myself to breathe is part of preparing — not for retirement, but for life beyond work.
The big lap of Australia is waiting, and the freedom I imagined is already beginning. But I’m starting to understand that the true joy will come not from racing to the start line, or finishing every task before the first mile, but from embracing the journey itself — and carrying a calmer, steadier mind into the adventures ahead.