A Special Note from IL’s Publisher
Dear Reader,
We’re living in unsettled times. But at International Living, we take a long view—and I encourage you to, as well. Eventually, this will pass…
Even though you’re probably staying put for the moment and not traveling, planning for retirement means planning for the long-term. And you can begin to do exactly that—without ever leaving home. In fact, we’re on a mission to show you how.
This crazy situation we all find ourselves in is a global one—and in a perverse way, it’s serving to do something we actively strive to accomplish at IL every day: Show people how truly connected we all are.
But it may be a while until we can connect in person again. So I’d like to encourage you to use your at-home time wisely.
There was a recent story in the Washington Post about Sir Isaac Newton who, as it happens, did his best thinking and produced his most influential work while sequestered at his home northwest of Cambridge during the Great Plague of London in 1665.
Happily, you needn’t immerse yourself in theories of physics and optics to make your practice of “social distancing” productive (unless you want to, of course).
There are all kinds of ways you could use this downtime to start exploring ideas you’ve always been curious about. Consider those hobbies you never make time for.
Learn Spanish—you can do it online these days. Take guitar lessons on YouTube. Think about ways you could begin to generate an income from home—many, many exist that I’m willing to bet you’ve never thought of before. We’ll get back to traveling again, eventually—and now’s a great time to consider exploring your best options before you hop on a plane.
Over the next few months, we’re going to bring you all sorts of opportunities you can easily take advantage of from right there in your living room.
My point is: While it’s easy to let a glumness settle over your world…I hope you won’t. I hope, instead, that you’ll use this unsettled time as an excuse to try some new things.
We have lots and lots of ideas catalogued on our website. Here are a few stories you might flip through, just to get those creative juices flowing:
50 Ways to Make Money in Retirement
What Do You Need to Teach English Online?
My Retirement Plan? Pursue My Passions in a Place that Fills Me With Energy
And you may not realize it, but we have an active presence on Facebook and Instagram. Our guys out in the field all over the world post wonderful notes about what they’re up to and what life is like where they are today.
It’s a great way to travel from that armchair of yours. So if you don’t yet follow us there on social media, I hope you will.
Anyway, I simply wanted to take a moment today to say we’re thinking about you. We’re here for you. And we’re going to do our best to help you weather this crazy time with a positive sense of possibility for the future. Oh, and don’t forget to wash your hands.
Sincerely,
Jackie Flynn
Publisher, International Living