I hate Freedom 55. I scorn RRSP investments. I don’t want haul my wrinkly skin onto a beach in Florida to bathe in the winter sun.

It’s not that I hope to die before I get old. Quite the contrary, actually. I hope to live before I get old. Why should Freedom have to wait to 55?

My scorn comes in large part from the observation many have made: namely, that we have succeeded in doubling our lifespan in just one century, and yet have done so very little with that time. To take retirement ads at face value, this extra time—one of humanity’s greatest victories—should be enjoyed only at the end of four decades of work, flying a glider plane or some crap like that.

“Whether you’re 25, 45 or older, you can start planning for your future today.” It sounds like a play on the old Judeo-Christian myth of suffering and redemption. Sure, toil is inevitable now, but paradise is just over the horizon—and what’s more, it can be bought in easy monthly instalments.

Oh, did we mention that paradise comes when your joints are creaky and your stamina ain’t what it used to be?

Unfortunately, no one advertises these alternate points of view. They bubble up from time to time in literature and pop culture (remember that song about always wearing sunscreen?), but they aren’t in your face as part of a relentless, highly organized campaign. And so you feel wrong if you don’t jump out of university and into work. If you don’t take a degree that gets you a job. If you don’t save scads of cash each year for the pearly gates of a seniors home in Palm Beach.

Of course, if you look at it logically, the smart thing to do is to cram your head with experience now so you have that worldly knowledge with you for your whole life. After all, experience and travel are great. But, ideally, you should have the chance to apply these experiences to more than a game of pinochle.

You may not agree. But I’ve found life became a lot more simpler—and enjoyable—the day I decided everything until I hit the age of 30 (at least), would be an education. No right or wrong choices, but lots of exploration. No two week vacations, but lots of travel. A variety of work experiences instead of a career path. Making many mistakes and learning from every one of them.

I figure if we’ve added 40 years to our life expectancy, then it is perfectly acceptable to devote at least 10 of those to additional, self-directed learning—regardless of what the ads say. Why follow your heart only when you hit 55?

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