Micro Retire to Macro Aspire

Since I was 13, my self-worth was built around one thing: having a job. My first summer gig was mowing lawns (I had the best diagonals in the neighborhood), followed by landscaping at a flower park, carving rotisserie chickens at Boston Market, and drafting P&IDs at Ashland Chemical (shoutout to INROADS)—all before I even started university.

During university, I dove into co-op rotations with NutraSweet, Monsanto, Solutia, and P&G.

After graduation, I worked nonstop for another 23 years, never taking more than 10 consecutive days off without connecting for something. I prided myself on being available 24/7. My coworkers weren’t just colleagues; I called them “family” because, truthfully, I spent more time with them than with my own. 28-hour shifts and 7-day weeks on manufacturing startups were badges of honor.

I was so wrong.

While working in Singapore, I heard countless stories of people dying shortly after retirement. Because of this, I believed retiring meant expiring. I didn’t want to wait until I was 70+ to finally daily drive an AMG V12 Bi-Turbo (hence my philosophy on Smiles Per Mile).

I love working—I never see myself stopping. I started realizing that retirement wasn’t about stepping away from work; it was about stepping toward yourself. It was about freedom.

So, in 2023, with my son approaching his last year of high school, my daughter her first, and my soul in need of healing, I made a choice: I retired to work for myself.

I can't tell you how many people warned me:

"Don’t touch your retirement funds."

"You’re too young to step away. You have so much talent."

"Just grind a little longer—it’ll pay off later."

For what? To maximize my bank account while I run myself into the ground—only to later use the money I accumulated for healthcare in the last chapter of my life? No, thank you. The truth is—they not like me.

Instead, at 48 years old, I chose to:

✔ Prioritize self-healing—mentally, spiritually, and physically.

✔ Be present for my kids, even if they find my dad jokes unbearable.

✔ Break generational cycles—so the trauma stops with me.

✔ Help others unlock their best selves.

✔ Fill every moment with joy and new experiences.

And guess what? I would rather see the smiles from my kids’ achievements, witness their maturity, be there every day when they need me, rather than chase the next award, raise, or promotion from a surrogate “family” member.

Let’s flip the script on the concept of retirement!

Even a few weeks of true disconnection can recalibrate your soul, shift your perspective, and help you step into your purpose sooner. Extended breaks are proven to benefit mental health, boost productivity, and improve your quality of life.

What would your Micro-Retirement look like? Where would you go? What would you start? And most importantly—who would you Macro Aspire to become?

Retirement isn’t about stopping. It’s about starting. Like a Rollie, work in service to others never stops.

See CBS News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCLkSC8Dy6s

© Nuri Dimler 2025