If you could, would you?
From Dalbir’s Desk
If you wanted to, could you?
This week, I found myself in my annual meeting with my fantastic accountant, Sian. As we reviewed the numbers, she made an observation that struck me: "Every time we meet, you're exploring more opportunities around change and financial freedom."
Her comment made me pause and reflect. She's right - I've always been driven by a fundamental desire: I never want to wake up feeling like I have to work. After working hard for so many years, I want the freedom to choose work that energises me, work I genuinely want to do when I rise each morning. Yes, I want to earn money while doing it, but I never want to do it purely for the money.
This got me thinking about a question worth asking ourselves: If you wanted to step away from work, could you? Do you have the financial freedom to do so? Is it a case that you need to work, want to work, or simply think you should work because society has programmed us to believe that's what we must do?
In this week's newsletter, we're delving into how much freedom we actually have and exploring the space between financial necessity and purposeful choice in our working lives.
Dalbir x
Stories shaping this week's conversation
Why should the government decide when I retire?
We live in a world where the government tells us we can officially stop working at 67. Or maybe 68. Or soon — 70.
And every time they change the goalposts, we get upset. Rightly so. Because for many, that number isn't just a policy — it's the finish line. The point at which we’re finally allowed to rest, breathe, and live.
But here’s a better question:
Why is the government deciding your finish line in the first place?
Let’s go back in time for a second.
Retirement ages were set decades ago when life expectancy was lower, and jobs were more physically demanding. It made sense, then, to create a universal framework for when people could stop working and start claiming support. It was functional — but it was never personal.
Fast forward to today, and the world has changed dramatically — but our thinking hasn’t caught up.
If you’ve built wealth and security by 45, why should you feel guilty for stepping off the treadmill?
If you’re 73 and loving your work, why should you be nudged out of the game?
A recent article pointed out that people in their 70s today have the cognitive strength of 50-year-olds just a generation ago. Many are sharper, more experienced, and more energised than ever — so why shouldn’t they continue, if they want to?
At the same time, the opposite can also be true. Maybe you’ve worked intensely since your 20s. Built a career, raised a family, weathered crises, achieved more than you thought possible. Why should you be expected to drag that energy through another two decades just because a policy says so?
Maybe 20 years of working and building is enough — and now, it’s your time.
Rethinking retirement (and freedom)
We need to stop treating retirement like a rigid formula and start seeing it as a personal choice.
Maybe your freedom doesn’t come from a pension, but from alternative income streams:
Renting out part of your home.
Working part-time on something you enjoy.
Selling your skills as a coach or consultant.
Downsizing your lifestyle to upgrade your peace.
If the government's rules don’t work for your life — don’t feel bound by them.
You get to decide what enough means. You get to decide when you’ve done your time.
The truth is: the system is set up to benefit from your continued labour.
But your life is set up to be lived — by you.
So ask yourself:
Am I still working because I choose to… or because I’ve been programmed to?
And if you wanted to step away tomorrow…
Could you?
Have you ever thought about taking a sabbatical?
Not retiring. Not quitting.
Just… pressing pause.
Taking a breather.
To live a little. Dream a little.
To give your body, your brain, and your soul the time they deserve while you’re still vibrant enough to enjoy it.
Let’s be honest — retirement might be a long way off for some of us.
And for others? It may not even be the goal.
Some people don’t want to retire — they love their work, they love the pace, they love the purpose.
But what they do want is to enjoy life while they still have their health, their energy, and their curiosity.
Because it’s no secret — your 50s and early 60s are likely to be your most capable years.
You’re experienced, financially more secure, and for many, finally free from early-career pressure or full-time caregiving.
So what if you didn’t wait?
What if you took six months off to go live in a rustic vineyard in Sicily?
Or found yourself riding horseback across a ranch near Buenos Aires?
What if you spent a winter writing poetry from a sun-drenched studio in Porto?
Or took a solo trip across Japan, learned to surf in Bali, or simply slept in every day for a month?
Wild? Maybe.
Impossible? Not necessarily.
A sabbatical might be your bridge between the life you’ve built and the life you’re dreaming about.
Many companies offer them — some after 5 years, others after 10.
Often they’re three to six months long, and some extend up to a year.
There’s usually some small print: whether it’s paid or unpaid, whether you’re guaranteed your exact role back, and what kind of notice you need to give.
But here’s the bigger truth:
A sabbatical is a reminder that you don’t have to wait until retirement to feel free.
You don’t have to uproot everything or abandon your career.
You just have to ask:
What would it look like to live a little more fully — now?
Because I don’t know about you, but there are already things I look at and think,
that’s too stressful now, too heavy, too late.
And I’m not getting any younger.
So if you’re sitting on dreams of adventure, creativity, or stillness — but can’t quite imagine quitting your job or retiring early — maybe a sabbatical is your solution.
Have you ever taken one? Thought about one?
I’d love to hear your story — or your dream version of it.
What is your Freedom Number?
Most of us just keep going.
We work hard, earn, save a little, spend a little more, and carry on — because we think that’s just what we’re supposed to do.
But here’s the thing:
We know how much food we want to eat in a day.
We know how many times we aim to work out in a week.
We know how many glasses of wine we drink at the pub.
We know how much money we’re happy to spend on a night out, and how much we try to save from our salaries each month.
But if someone asked you:
“How much would be enough for you to stop working?”
How would you answer?
For most people, the answer is a shrug. Or a guess.
Very few of us know our true Freedom Number.
And yet — that one number could change everything.
Because if you knew the exact amount that would allow you to choose if and how you worked…
You might realise you're much closer than you think.
You might realise you’re already there.
Imagine that.
Imagine finding out today that the life you’re grinding so hard for is already within reach — or just a few smart moves away.
That’s why I created the Freedom Number Template — a simple, practical tool to help you figure out your real number and map a path toward it.
It's free.
It's straightforward.
And it might just change your life.
If you’re ready to know your number — and take your first real step toward financial freedom — request your free template here:
Email me the Freedom Number template →
Because freedom doesn’t start with retirement.
It starts with clarity.
Book spotlight
Shatterproof by Dr Tasha Eurich
In a world that demands constant resilience, many find themselves exhausted by the relentless push to "bounce back." Dr. Tasha Eurich’s Shatterproof challenges this paradigm, introducing a transformative approach to navigating life's chaos. Rather than merely enduring adversity, Eurich advocates for harnessing it as a catalyst for growth.
Drawing from extensive research and personal experience, Eurich unveils the concept of becoming "shatterproof" — developing a mindset that not only withstands pressure but thrives amid it. She delves into the limitations of traditional resilience, emphasising that it is not an infinite resource. Instead, she presents strategies to recognise personal stressors, address unmet needs, and pivot towards a more empowered self.
At Santalan, we resonate deeply with Eurich’s message. Shatterproof aligns with our commitment to fostering self-awareness and intentional living. For those seeking a path beyond mere survival, this book offers insightful guidance to transform challenges into opportunities for genuine growth.
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