Chapter 1: The Countdown Begins

With just nine working days left until I retire—or, as I prefer to think, transition into a new career—I find myself contemplating the future. Will my writing on Medium evolve into a profession, or will it merely become a hobby, possibly similar to a gambling habit? Only time will reveal the answer.

The income from Medium can be unpredictable, fluctuating wildly much like a swing voter in a close election. One moment, I bask in success, and the next, it feels as if I've plummeted into a proverbial pit of despair. I even entertained the idea of making a sacrifice to please the Medium gods, but apparently, offering ponies isn't a viable option.

After more than four decades of a 9-to-5 routine, I'm set to embark on a new journey on March 20th, joining the ranks of the self-employed—or perhaps the unemployed, depending on your perspective. Soon, I will face the realities of filing tax returns and resolving IT challenges, alongside the temptations of binge-watching Netflix and procrastination—my current favorite pastimes, apart from playing the accordion to the dismay of Mrs. Pearce.

I recently met my successor, who was brimming with enthusiasm, as new hires often are before their probationary periods conclude. It’s reassuring to know the residents I’ve cared for will be in capable hands. However, there’s a gap before he can officially start, meaning my colleagues will have to cover my responsibilities in the meantime. While this isn’t ideal, it’s not my concern anymore. They’ll soon discover just how much—or worryingly, how little—I do.

Interestingly, my replacement also has a history with Bristol City Council, having worked in the same building where I did a temporary contract. We enjoyed sharing stories and reminiscing about mutual acquaintances. Part of the council's induction process involved taking new employees to the rooftop of one of the tower blocks for a city view, which was less than ideal for someone like me who has a fear of heights. I suspect the intention was to impress recruits with the council's extensive reach, though given the precarious state of some buildings, it might have been a bit overconfident.

Another vivid memory from my time in Bristol involves nearly being attacked by two off-leash Staffies in a park. Good times! My role in the “Performance Management Team” was somewhat ironic, considering my own attitude toward work, and it felt like an oxymoron within the context of local government in the UK. Nonetheless, my colleagues were wonderful. I had to put my well-honed skills of looking busy—like carrying a file everywhere and keeping complex spreadsheets open—to good use, resulting in some impressive-looking graphs.

Chapter 2: Embracing New Challenges

As I step into this new phase, the old tricks of appearing busy will no longer apply. This venture revolves around delivering results, building a personal brand, and identifying a niche to explore—along with the inevitable frustrations of fluctuating earnings. On good days, Medium uplifts my spirits and opens doors to new opportunities. On tougher days, I’m grateful for the security of a local government pension, a consolation for years of commuting and daily stress.

I often see younger writers contemplating a full-time commitment to Medium and advise them to maintain it as a side hustle, a term popularized by Gen Z. Making a living from writing seems too uncertain, especially in an era when AI-generated content floods the platform. Who needs human writers when you can create a chapter at the touch of a button? Recently, I learned that Amazon has restricted authors to publishing a maximum of three books per day—an intriguing development that suggests not all books are penned by actual humans.

I extend my gratitude to everyone who has supported my work on Medium thus far. The community has been a delightful surprise. Writing can be a solitary endeavor, and finding fellow enthusiasts has been incredibly rewarding, both in terms of mutual encouragement and, regrettably, financially.

As always, I appreciate your readership.

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