Navigating the Challenges of Aging and Writing Full-Time
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Chapter 1: A Complicated Week
This week has proven to be quite challenging for several reasons. My earnings began to decline unexpectedly earlier in the week. Fluctuations like these are natural, but they can be disconcerting. Then, I encountered issues with notifications. My "pick of the day" series relies on the subjects being aware, which encourages reciprocal engagement. With Medium's notification system malfunctioning, my earnings seemed to take a hit.
If I were completely dependent on Medium, I might feel anxious, but I realize that life is too brief to let it weigh me down, especially at my age. This situation serves as a reminder of the old saying about not putting all your eggs in one basket.
Section 1.1: The Dilemma of Age
Some might argue that I've always been at a challenging age, but that's a different discussion. Currently, I find myself in a peculiar situation of preparing for retirement a few years before the UK's state pension age.
I'm old enough to access a private pension (the eligibility age was recently lowered to 55, which feels increasingly distant), yet too young to receive my state pension, now set at 67 after the latest changes. This places me in a sort of limbo—neither working nor collecting the state pension. Before making this leap, I carefully considered my options, and writing full-time on Medium is part of my strategy to bridge the gap in the coming years. While finances will be tighter, the freedom and time I gain are invaluable.
Section 1.2: Seeking Discounts
Given this somewhat precarious scenario, I find myself keenly assessing any chance to snag a pensioner discount. Unfortunately, I don't qualify for many.
Having reached 60, I could get a rail discount card, but my current train journeys don't justify it. I won't be eligible for a bus pass until I'm 67. Interestingly, if I lived in London, I could enjoy free bus and tube travel—though I've outgrown the nightlife and attractions of the city that once appealed to me.
Free prescriptions (available since turning 60) are a welcome benefit, though my local pharmacy excels at losing them, resulting in long wait times. But I digress; discussing that isn't great for my blood pressure.
When it comes to haircuts, some barbers advertise discounts for seniors but don't specify the qualifying age. It's amusing to wonder whether I should be pleased if I don't appear old enough or disappointed that I haven't reached the official age yet. I still haven't figured out if they ask for ID to verify age.
I often compare men's haircut prices in different towns; it's a revealing insight into local affluence. Prices have been rising, with typical rates now hovering around £15-£17, which, with a tip, quickly adds up to £20.
As a side note, tipping seems to be a lost art for my children when dining out. I'm not sure if it's a matter of principle or merely a desire to save for their next avocado toast, which might be why they're struggling to get on the property ladder. In contrast, I was raised to tip, a habit I can't shake, similar to my inability to drop litter or hold a door for someone behind me.
So, here I am at a challenging age! At the time of writing, the notification issue has been resolved. It's onward and upward for my "pick of the day" series, and I'm hopeful that my earnings will rebound.
As always, thank you for reading.
Chapter 2: The Hardest Age to Raise Children
In this segment, we explore the complexities of parenting at different stages.
This video, "What age is the hardest for parents to raise kids? #WakeUpCLT To Go," dives into discussions surrounding the challenges parents face as their children grow. Insights from experts and parents provide a well-rounded perspective on this topic.
Chapter 3: Discussions on Parenting Ages
Continuing on the theme of parenting, we delve into insights from a panel discussion.
The video titled "What Was the Hardest Age to Parent? The Mama Mondays Panel Has the Discussion" offers an engaging conversation about the various challenges parents encounter as their children reach different ages.
Why a phoenix? This mythical bird symbolizes resilience and rebirth—qualities I strive to embody as I embark on my journey toward full-time writing. This series is dedicated to anyone else contemplating the leap into self-employment as a writer. Please share your plans or experiences in the comments, and if you've always been self-employed, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
A human, not an AI text generator, wrote this story. (More Info)
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