Back in 2013 as I turned 40, I was struggling with my career and my personal life. To keep myself going through it all, I promised to myself that I'll keep working for 10 more years and then retire. I set myself a few financial and personal goals and started the clock.
I decided I'll blog this journey and I did so for around 3 years. Then as my previous UAE stint ended, I decided to continue working and stop measuring. Honestly, I worried I'll not be able to meet those goals within stipulated time and there was no way I could retire unless I secured my future.
Then in 2018 when I got another opty to work in UAE I decided to return but with a lot of trepidation. It offered me to get closer to my goals and maybe meet them within the timelines I had set.
The plan was to work for 3 years and then reassess. I was hoping the run would be easier this time and I could survive 3 years. The stay has been eventful and rocky but yes, I survived so far. Its 5 years now. I've met the targets I set up and then some. Reassuring. I had to pay a big price though. I have stayed away from my family all this while.
The Covid disruption hurt everyone, but it offered my a unique opty to work from home in India. I used this as much as I could and that helped me get through 5 years. Its now time. I hope I can have an orderly exit. My daughter starts her college this year. I hope I can see that transition and then exit AbuDhabi by the end of the year.
I do have a golden visa so I can return if I like. Perhaps not for work but to stay here for some time with my wife. She loves Abudhabi. I'm not so sanguine.
Anyhow, this is a milestone that must be recorded and that I just did.
