The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

Retirement used to be this golden dream, didn’t it? A quiet life after decades of hard work, watching the sunset with a cup of tea in hand. But if you ask me, that dream has become a bit of a fantasy, something that only the well-off can actually pull off. The world has shifted—costs are skyrocketing, and financial freedom is harder to reach. So, here I am, facing what might just be the hardest personal goal I’ve ever set for myself: I’m going to work until I’m done. Not until I’m “retired,” but until I’m no longer here.

Now, you might be wondering, Why? Why push yourself instead of slowing down? The answer’s simple—family. As long as I’m able, I’ll keep working, not for some grand career ambition, but to make sure my wife is looked after, that there’s always food on the table for my family. I can’t rely on my children to carry that burden. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids deeply, but priorities have shifted over the generations. They’ve got their own lives, responsibilities, and pressures. Life moves fast for them, and while I’ll always be there when they need me, I can’t count on them to take care of me, nor would I want to. It’s not their job to hold things together—it’s mine.

In an ideal world, sure, I’d have told my younger self to save more, invest more wisely, maybe play the long game a bit better. But let’s be real, would the younger version of me have listened? I doubt it. Back then, life was about living in the moment, making sure everyone around me was happy, enjoying the little things without the weight of financial worry. I spent, I gave, I lived. And if I had the choice, I’d do it again. After all, what’s money for if not to share it, to spread a little joy? I’ve learned that when you give—even your last penny—it somehow comes back to you in ways you never expect. Give to charity, and watch how the world blesses you in return. It’s a cycle I’ve come to trust.

Sometimes, I do reflect on the world we live in now, and I can’t help but feel that the concept of retirement has shifted. It used to be seen as a well-deserved rest, but for many, especially those like me, it’s becoming a bit of an unreachable dream. And honestly, I’m okay with that. I’ve come to accept that my purpose isn’t tied to stopping work at a certain age, but rather to doing what I can, while I can, for the people I love. As long as I’m able, I’ll keep going.

And in the end, when I look back at the life I’ve lived, I’ll know that I didn’t sit back and wait for someone else to take the reins. I worked, I gave, and I took care of the ones I care about. That, for me, is enough. Alhamdulilah for this journey, with all its challenges, because it’s made me who I am today.

So, if you ask me again about the hardest personal goal I’ve ever set? It’s not reaching retirement—it’s working until I’m done.