I used to be 65 at 6.05 this morning. I do know the time as a result of I’ve a twin, and so the time is on my delivery certificates. We had been 130 not out between us at 6.20 this morning, since he made it into the world quarter-hour after me.

I don’t, after all, really feel any completely different for hitting the age at which all through most of my life it was thought that previous age started. That’s technically 66 for me now. However it stays the case that every one the pension preparations I’ve ever been concerned in did assume that this was the day once I placed on my slippers, began smoking a pipe, and commenced taking part in a bit of mild golf to whereas away my years.

I will not, after all, be doing any of these issues. I will likely be carrying on working. I believe I’ll by no means cease doing so. The concept of a life with out writing is, for me unimaginable. I stick with it doing so when on vacation, which is why nobody ever notices when I’m away. Why, then, ought to I retire?

That mentioned, I’ve been shocked to notice some modifications in my attitudes in the direction of work, largely since long-Covid hit me. I now know that it’s unlikely I’ll keep in academia for greater than one other 5 years, when I’ll have delivered my final affect case examine.

I’ve additionally determined I’ll in all probability not become involved once more in one other project-specific grant of the kind I’m engaged on with Copenhagen Enterprise College at current. I’ve loved them however I now get pleasure from doing social media extra. That one expires on the finish of 2024.

And I even assume that I’d quit making use of for grants altogether over the following few years. I’ll see, however I believe that by the point I’m 70 I’d give them up and the calls for that they make.

Nonetheless, recognising all that’s indicative of considering on my half akin to Tony Benn’s suggestion that he gave up being an MP in order that he might do politics. If I gave up particular funding will probably be to launch extra time for my very own considering and writing.

There’s a motive for saying that. Being 65 jogs my memory that I’m finite. There may be much less time to return than there was. I wish to get pleasure from that point. Some will likely be spent pursuing my three different passions (my household, birdwatching when strolling, and railway historical past and modelling) however I’ve no intention of giving up my different nice ardour, which is the pursuit of financial justice. If I quit some sorts of funding over the following few years that may solely be as a result of I need extra time to spend on the work that I wish to do with much less time required to satisfy deadlines imposed by somebody aside from myself.

Saying this, I do know that I’m fortunate to assume that is perhaps attainable. I’ve had 5 days in hospital in my life. I’ve no persistent situations. I take no prescribed drugs frequently, which I collect is uncommon at 65.  I’m fairly match and might nonetheless run if I’ve to, though I want brisk strolling. That mentioned, I’ve realised how debilitating sickness might be: lengthy Covid demonstrated that.  I do know I would like time to deal with myself too, and I’ll.

However, including all that lot collectively what I conclude is that the mental interplay that this weblog (plus my household, associates and colleagues) provide is prime to my future. The challenges that they create give me objective, and the weblog is actually an enormous half in that. That’s the reason I admire the assist folks present to it. And exactly as a result of that assist implies that I do know I can sit up for having fun with being busy doing one thing I get pleasure from, and which others appear to assume worthwhile, then I can deal with the entire thought of retirement as one thing that’s unlikely to ever be for me.  65 is only a quantity. I am selecting to disregard it.

If moderation is gradual on the weblog right now, please forgive me. I will be out for lunch and far of the afternoon.

From my spouse this morning, as if she thinks I’d care about numbers (😊)