I had my first overseas trip with my younger son. Since he’s athletic and into sports, we did a lot of outdoor activities together. We revisited several hiking trails we used to do when he was younger, but this time at a different pace and with a quiet awareness of how much he has grown.
Then and Now
We also played a lot of basketball. The streetball culture in Hong Kong gave us opportunities to play with many different people, ranging from high school and university students to working adults and retired ‘uncles’.
Thanks to our active lifestyle of walking nearly 30,000 steps per day, we could indulge in the rich and delicious local food and snacks without guilt.
Hong Kong remains a lively city, easy to navigate, and highly efficient. We easily fit VR gaming, a live show, and visits to anime and sports shops into our schedule. It’s the kind of place where variety compresses into convenience.
Overall, the trip felt simple yet meaningful, with shared activities, small moments, and a sense of progression for both of us.
P.S. This is my first trip in decades where I haven’t had to constantly check work emails or keep up with what’s happening around the world. It has significantly reduced my mental stress and helped me feel more mindful and less rushed.
“But men labor under a mistake. The better part of the man is soon plowed into the soil for compost. By a seeming fate, commonly called necessity, they are employed, as it says in an old book, laying up treasures which moth and rust will corrupt and thieves break through and steal.” — Henry David Thoreau
There comes a point in everyone’s life when time matters more than money. Ever since I read Jacob’s Early Retirement Extreme nearly two decades ago, I’ve set a goal to save enough to reach financial freedom. I think the mid-40s is about the sweet spot to begin a new chapter. At this age, I still have the energy and health, along with the resources, to do the things I want. And I might discover other mountains that I’d like to climb.
Facing the unknown requires courage. And giving up a decent-paying job, along with the perks and status that come with it, isn’t easy. But once one had a taste of those things, they start to feel less special. While I enjoy meeting smart people, having intellectual conversations, and learning new things, I’m less interested in the lifestyle many people in my industry pursue. People in high-paying jobs often network, socialize, and spend on expensive status markers—high-end watches, alcohol, cars, houses, luxury travel, and fine dining. I’m more drawn to a simple, minimalist life. I don’t have the courage to live like the toilet cleaner in the film Perfect Days, but I do believe I have enough to live meaningfully.
Most of the things I enjoy in life are free (running, drawing, playing basketball) or relatively inexpensive for the amount of enjoyment they provide (video games, streaming services, books). Things can be costly, but diminishing returns kick in quickly. I think it’s better to own a small number of high-quality things that truly bring joy than to accumulate too much to keep track of. Often, expensive purchases are positional goods, signals for showing off, rather than sources of intrinsic value. Experiences like travel are one area where money can help. But to maximize enjoyment, it’s best to do them occasionally, so we don’t get used to them and take them for granted.
For me, the ultimate freedom is being able to thrive under any circumstances. As Thoreau discovered in Walden, it doesn’t take much to live a good life. Time, attention, and freedom may be the most valuable luxuries. Or in Thoreau’s words, “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.”
After my kids were born, I started revisiting my childhood hobbies. With more resources and a more mature mindset, I’ve been able to improve and surpass my younger self in many areas. Focusing on my hobbies may not be a good way to contribute to society. But as long as I continue to learn and grow, maybe I would discover new possibilities I can’t yet imagine.
“Somewhere in this world, there are people who’ve put in that unimaginably huge amount of effort. And the fact that I’m still this small makes my heart race at the possibilities that exist in the space between us.” — Taiki
I’ve wanted to play piano and sing at the same time. This year I finally gave it a shot with one of my favourite Frank Sinatra songs that has a relatively simple accompaniment. I also teamed up with my boys to make it less daunting. I think it’s a good start, and I hope to tackle a solo performance in the future.
My WayLyrics:
And now, the end is near And so I face the final curtain My friend, I’ll say it clear I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain I’ve lived a life that’s full I traveled each and every highway And more, much more than this I did it my way
Regrets, I’ve had a few But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do And saw it through without exemption I planned each charted course Each careful step along the byway And more, much more than this I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew But through it all, when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out I faced it all, and I stood tall And did it my way
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried I’ve had my fill, my share of losing And now, as tears subside I find it all so amusing To think I did all that And may I say, not in a shy way Oh, no, oh, no, not me I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught To say the things he truly feels And not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows And did it my way Yes, it was my way
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