A solo woman's retirement manifesto

3/6/2023

It's important to have guiding principles in life. Otherwise why do we do the things that we do? I know that a lot of people survive on this earth living on the "life escalator" (and the "relationship escalator") which really doesn't require you to have guiding principles. As long as you stay on the escalator, it gently takes you along and you do the things in life mostly "because that's what adults do". Which is a trend I like to buck with this blog. Today I write my own retirement manifesto, so I can check in with myself on my "why" when faced with difficult decisions and to make sure I've not gone off track with my purpose.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"I want to be someone that gave more than they took."

- some quote I could be remembering correctly or incorrectly from the amazing TV series "Bones".

Motive. Intention. Policy.

I want financial independence so that I can work on discovering and solving problems without any money motivation.
Building relationships with friends is my priority, while maintaining my solo autonomy. My sexual and romantic health is of equal priority to my companionship health.
I make conscious choices to say no to "couples privilege" benefits, unless opting into that system will benefit someone else (rather than myself). E.g. I opt out of visas or other immigration that could gain me access to a country I desire to live in, if it means that I must get married.
Don't hold too tightly to plans, don't invest too much in planning too far in the future if it will restrict the autonomy and freedom of a future version of Ryan (me).

Money is an abundant resource. But accumulating and keeping more than I need takes it away from someone that does need it. I therefore aim to die with zero ($).
Time is not an abundant resource. I will say no, and I will accept that "No." is a complete sentence.
I deserve financial independence and I will not be ashamed of my path. Many people will doubt my life choices or be envious of how I achieved them.
I will acknowledge and act on the privileges that I have. I will support government politicians or policies that actively helps others with less privileges than me.