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As someone around 40 I enjoy reading these types of posts for the different perspectives. As I get older I find myself rediscovering why I went into medicine in the first place. Doing good work reading cases or on procedures is very rewarding and I like to think I am making a difference in the lives of patients. At the same time, the day to day frustrations of work are a grind. Some days it seems like the system is so dysfunctional I can’t believe it continues to exist.
I am on the path to FIRE, but probably wont retire early. My wife and I are both professionals and make good money. We have the house, kids, paid off cars etc. Even with all that we put a lot of money away and should be at our number for retirement at 45. After that, I still can’t see walking away. Maybe cutting back even more, I have already gone a little bit “part-time” to have more time for kids/hobbies.
Life is what you make it. My wife and I are on the same page with finances and priorities. We do not need fancy vacations or stuff to make us happy. Hike in the woods together and PPJ sandwiches for lunch, some exercise and fresh air in good company. Backyard BBQ with friends/family. Occasional football game. A few hobbies/passions outside work. Life is good.
If I make it to 75.8 years and it’s time to check out, with the current path I am on I think I will have done enough. Husband, father, decent radiologist… There are too many things in this world to do and experience in one lifetime, so I do what I can do and am happy with the decisions I have made up till this point. Hope reincarnation is real, kind of doubt it, but it would be neat to play the game again and see what would happen next time. Probably end up grinding on that plain film list again… lol
