When My Time Wasn’t My Own
It was 2016, and my time wasn’t mine to control. Before making any plans, I had to check my roster.
“Sorry, I’m working all weekend.”
“Sorry, I’m on night shifts for the next seven days.”
“Sorry, I’ll have to see if I can organise a shift swap.”
That was my life, dictated by rosters, shift patterns, and the constant fatigue that came with hospital medicine.
Reassessing the Dream
At that time, I was considering a career as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. But somewhere between the long nights and the endless deliveries, a quiet truth surfaced: I didn’t love my hospital job enough to make the sacrifices it demanded. I wanted something different. A life with rhythm and freedom, not just prestige or titles. It was time to “retire” from the hospital grind, move to a quaint seaside town, and become a General Practitioner (GP). For me, this wasn’t a step back — it was a step toward balance, autonomy, and intentional living.
Redefining Success
I used to tell friends, “I want to retire at 40. Work just for the fun of it.”
At the time, it sounded ambitious, even unrealistic. But deep down, I was really saying: “I want control over my time and I want to have enough.” Little did I know there was an entire movement built around this philosophy F.I.R.E (Financial Independence Retire Early). When I discovered it, everything clicked. I had found language for what I had been craving all along: freedom over schedule, purpose over prestige.
A New Path Toward Financial Independence
Fast forward to 2021. I was 37, and finally on my journey toward financial independence. The goal isn’t just early retirement. It’s to be Time Rich:
to have the freedom to choose how I spend my days,
to work because I want to, not because I have to,
to live life on my own terms.
This shift wasn’t just financial, it was deeply personal. It marked the beginning of a life built around freedom, purpose, and balance rather than endless busyness.
Time Rich Reflection
This was my turning point. The moment I stopped measuring success by titles or hours worked, and started measuring it by the freedom to live life intentionally. Financial independence isn’t about escaping work: it’s about reclaiming time. It’s about building a life where you can say “yes” to the things that matter and “no” to the ones that don’t. Sometimes, the bravest decision isn’t to push harder but it’s to pause, reflect, and choose a different path.
What would your life look like if time, not your roster, decided your days?
Your Turn: Find Your Own Turning Point
Every journey toward financial independence starts with one decision. To take back control of your time. Start by asking yourself:What does a Time Rich life look like for me? Then take the first small step. Whether it’s saving, investing, decluttering or simply redefining success on your own terms.