The Blue and Purple Zone

When I was a kid, I read the phrase ‘Health is Wealth’. The phrase was known over the years, but only when you are older, the true meaning hits you. Most of my relatives and acquaintances I see who are above 60, their life is predominantly determined by their health. This is not to say wealth is not important, but that extra 10-20% of wealth doesn’t matter all that much. The title of this diary comes from the netflix series around Blue Zones - the locations around the world where people live the most. The factors which determine the health are the obvious one - food habits, relationships, health care, exercise and physical activities, and motivation. Most people focus on finances when they plan for their retirement, and I’m in no way saying that is not at all important. In fact, a large part of our day and life is already dedicated to ensure we earn, save and invest enough. If anything, these are additional factors which decide the outcome for average cases. So how do we plan for these...

It is 2024 and I’m in my early 40s. 40s is a strange decade - you are no longer young, but you are not old yet. Your parents have started aging - if still alive, and start having some health issues. Your kid is still young, and hence dependent on you even for basic needs (like time and attention, not just finance). It is this decade where you finally come into your own, you have friends with whom you want to hang out with. You are no longer trying to impress one and all - you have finally found comfort on who you are. In a party, you no longer feel the need to talk to new people, try to make new connections - you are rather happy to find a corner with people you like, and spend your whole time not making any new introductions. It is this age where you finally start discovering yourself. The first thought that crossed my mind on my 40th birthday was this - what would my life be at the end of another decade from now? I realized it would change a lot - the daughter would be off to college...