I lost focus in the end of 2023 and early 2024. I ran myself into the ground, physically and emotionally. Among the myriad of lessons learned during that time and the recovery, there was also one factor that I didn’t really think would affect me so much, and negatively – I had reached quite a few of my goals.
Mainly, the financial goal of being able to survive on passive income. Long term deposits in banks, an investment in a friend’s construction firm, stocks, the hypothetical worth of the bakery as soon as I sold it – which was the plan. Surviving means paying everything for Lily, and having basic needs covered. Beer is not included.
That’s what I was working for, very hard, too hard. And when I realized that I had reached it, I was very psyched at first. But then came the emptiness. The inevitable question – and now? What’s next? Financial freedom was always one of my most important goals, as my mom was quite focused on that and passed it on to us. To a fault, but I managed to work around that quite early and define my own goals moderately.
On top, I reached personal goals. Lily was going to move to and live with me, going to school here. We were able to visit Germany, for the first time together, and she was able to meet my grandmother, which was extremely moving for me. It seemed like my grandma had waited just for that, she passed away 2 months after I took pictures of Lily and her together, and with my mom and me. Though she was somewhat in a fog already, I think she did realize who Lily and I were, though I hadn’t seen her in a long time and she only knew Lily from seldom video calls. “How beautiful that you finally made it.” That’s what she said.
I had to set more goals. Harder-to-reach goals. And one of them is more a dream than a goal, but if things keep going like they are, I might actually be able to pull it off.
A forest for rescued animals
I want to buy a piece of land, plant a ton of native trees, and rescue an animal here and there to have live there, unbothered (at least my humans). Some cows, pigs, chicken, whatever. Cats and dogs, too. Maybe build a house, or have it built, nothing fancy, something for me and Ellie to sit on the porch and drink beer or gin-tonics at 11am on a Sunday morning in the sunshine, just chilling.
Yes, staying together with Ellie is a goal, too. Not at any price, but for the moment, it’s looking good. First time that I can imagine growing old with someone. Related to her is another goal, how I want to die – having a fatal heart attack while in the middle of a fantastic orgasm. That would be great. But not a real goal, as that is not easy to fabricate, nothing I can influence much. Staying together with her, that I can influence a lot.
I don’t really have goals about Lily. She’s her own person, I don’t feel like I can have goals for her. For myself in connection with her, yes. Keep giving my best as a father, keep learning, keep teaching, keep being there, always. Do my very best so she can be happy in her life, no matter the circumstances, and thrive as a good human being. Having enough money saved when she finishes school so she can study if she decides to.
That’s about it for now. There are more goals, of course, but nothing as long term. What about you? Any goals you’ve reached, any you’re close, any that seem more a dream than a possibility?
Post created for the #weekend-engagement challenge by GalenKP. Check that and other great content out in the Weekend Experiences - Community!
I can see the beer being an important part of your plan in the illustration. :)
It is indeed. It's one of the things that I do enjoy on days off, when the kid is not around. Drinking a beer in the sun at 10-11am just has that special feeling. Then falling asleep for a buzzed nap at 1-2pm. I wouldn't want to do it every day, though when retired, that might be happening and becoming a problem. I'm quite aware of my addiction risks, and the existing ones 😅
But day drinking has always been one of my retirement-goals. Maybe because I'm surrounded by a lot of older folks here who do it. I guess it represents the "not having to do anything" that comes with it, that allows me to do that in the morning. Not having to be productive anymore.
I was telling someone that my dream when I am retired is to stand on a literal soap box and rant at passersby with nonsense.
My latest, most recent raving post is such an example.
Im not really one for drinking. I'll have alast hurrah in a few weeks then see if I can best the previous 3 years I had without any booze.
Nice! That soap box interesting as well. Any ideas on the clothing yet? Are you going to place a fake-dead-squirrel in your beard or something like that?
3 years without alcohol, well done! I stopped when I was recovering from the burnout, for around 3 months. But it always sneaks back in, as my community is quite beer oriented :-D
You know those big heshin sacks that 20kg of potatoes come in? Sometimes onion? I'd love to wear a few of those.
And a designer beanie.
Sound great. See if you can get a bag like bag that was filled with garlic, to add another dimension to the passers experience.
True happiness lies in learning to enjoy the simplest things in life.
Good luck with those future plans.
Thank you!
I have a goal for the next 2 years. I need to buy 1 million HIVE.
I remember that! But you need the price to drop for that 😅
Those long term goals are important, being able to live off of passive income is a nice one. It's one we all should have for sure. Hopefully as ETH climbs it will start to drag Hive and other alts with it giving us a chance to make some money towards that passive income! Over the last years I've become something of a minimalist, trying to spend less and even eliminate items I don't want or really need. Part of my long term plan, making things easier for my kid when my time is up!
I'm still tempted to head down south to where you live though!
Spending less is always a good start! I always lived very frugal, only recently I upped my standards - I'm drinking the "expensive" beer now for $1,50/550ml instead of the "cheap" beer for $1,25/660ml. It just tastes better and I can afford it 🙃 Also, I'm eating out more and giving myself more allowance for my hobbies. It feels great to finally be able to do so.
And take a trip down here to check it out - gotta know what you're getting into. If you're getting more serious, check out Facebook groups (yes, most folks still move there), for example "Cotacachi Expats" or "Ecuador Expats". Tons of useful information there.