Are you finally planning to come home to the Philippines? Oftentimes, OFWs spend many lonely years of being away from their family — a sacrifice they willingly make to ensure a good life for the people they love. Every balikbayan deserves to enjoy the fruits of his/her labor. Make sure you make the most out of your retirement. Here are tips to put you on the right track.
Start a blog
Journaling helps you share your thoughts and gain a better perspective on things. Blogging will allow you to do this, with the added benefit of sharing your journey with others. Many OFWs out there are working hard and trying to make sense out of the path they’re taking. You can show them where their hard work could take them. You could serve as an inspiration.
You do not have to be a good writer to succeed as a blogger. All you need is an authentic voice and an enthusiastic spirit. The good part is that you stand the potential of earning from your blog. There are many other OFWs who are already making a killing off of their blogs. Simply search online and find out the many ways you can monetize a blog. You’ll love how they could be both easy and fun!
Go on trips with your family
You have been working so hard, you deserve all the vacations you could get. And you absolutely deserve to finally enjoy the company of the people you love. You sacrificed being away from them just so you could give them a good life. It’s time to make up for lost times and live the life you’ve always wanted. You’ve earned it.
Vacations do not have to be costly. There are many vacation spots not too far away from the metro. And they are just as scenic! There are the Taal Volcano in Talisay, Batangas, the Batangas beaches, the Laguna waterfalls, the Freedom Islands, and many others. Going on budget trips will allow you to take more of them. And of course, you and your family deserve the occasional splurges. So go ahead and book trips to Palawan, Bohol, and all the wondrous destinations in our beautiful country!
Go on a holiday with your SO
Sustaining a relationship across time zones and oceans may be challenging. You and your partner deserve a long, restful vacation for keeping the love alive despite the distance. There’s nothing like a trip to further strengthen a relationship. It’s also a great way to express your gratitude to someone who has provided you with love and support, especially during the times when you needed it the most. So go ahead and plan that special trip. And keep having more of it in the future. Things like this is what we live for: special moments with the people we love. Enjoying beautiful holiday destinations with them is icing on the cake!
Laze around with your loved ones
Oftentimes, we experience extraordinary moments on ordinary days and simple activities like having dinner together or sharing morning conversations with a cup of coffee and pandesal. Or just huddling together in front of the TV mindlessly enjoying telenovelas and noontime shows. These are especially meaningful for many OFWs who were forced to spend many years away from the people they love. The things many people take for the granted are the stuff OFWs yearn for. Now that you have the opportunity, embrace it! Spend as much time as you can with your family, even if all you do is hang out at home. To make the moments extra special, secure a home that will feel like you’re all on vacation everyday. And that is exactly what DMCI properties provide. So this is definitely something worth adding to your retirement plans.
Start a business
Nothings helps people stay sharp than getting busy with something. This is why even retirees choose to start a business. Most often than not, this is also because even retirees need something to augment their finances. As you are starting later in life, you may not have the luxury of time to experiment in new endeavors. Because of this, the best option for you may be to become a franchise owner. You have the money to pay for an existing business model, and the franchisers have the experience and expertise to share with you. It’s a win-win situation! There are also many options to choose from. You can opt for low-cost or high-value ones, and you can explore businesses from many different industries. Even at an older age, the world is your oyster!
Read books
Speaking of staying sharp, you must keep reading. It’s one of the best ways you could keep feeding your mind and ensuring it’s in top shape. Many young people bemoan not having enough time to read. So take the opportunity to read as many books as you can. You have the luxury of time. Don’t waste it. It’s always great to experience the world and other people’s lives through a good book.
Start an exercise routine
Beyond just cultivating a sharp mind, you need to keep a healthy body. So make sure you come up with an exercise routine, and stick with it! Living in a DMCI community will make this much easier for you. Simply step out to your landscaped pathway for a brisk walk or a jog. You can also take a few laps in the pool. And there’s the gym you could easily access! You’ll have practically zero excuse for not exercising. If you keep up a healthy routine, you’ll soon see that age is just a number. Make this a priority, as you won’t be able to enjoy everything that you’ve worked hard if you end up weak and sickly. You need a healthy body to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Practice mindfulness
Beyond just taking care of your mind and body, you need to feed your spirituality as well. You can do this by practicing mindfulness. Remember to stay in the present, so you are not weighed down by the past nor left worrying about the future. Practicing yoga will also help you feel more centered. So head over to your condo gazebo or enjoy the peace and quiet in your condo unit as you stretch your body and pace your breathing with many different yoga positions.
You have worked hard for many years to get your retirement plans in place — from securing investments to enjoying condo living. Now it’s time to finally enjoy them! You deserve it.
