Maintain cycling and working
After many years of attachment to photography, photographer Vu Huyen - former Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists maintains a simple rhythm of life after retirement.
Sharing with Lao Dong, instead of spending most of his time resting, he maintains a fairly regular schedule. One of the habits he has maintained for about 10 years is cycling.
He sets a goal of cycling about 40km per day. If for work or other reasons he does not complete enough distance, he will proactively arrange time to pedal to make up for it.
For him, physical training is not only to maintain health but also a way to maintain a disciplined life. He said he usually goes to bed at 10 pm and wakes up at 4 am.
I am determined to cycle 40km every day. This is not an easy task, but I have maintained it for about 10 years now. I have built a very clear schedule for myself, at 10 pm I have to go to bed to have 6 hours of rest, and at 4 am I wake up and start cycling. Every day I try to ensure enough 40km," Mr. Huyen shared.
In addition to physical training, Mr. Vu Huyen focuses on maintaining brain activity. After many years of working in management, creation, research and teaching in the field of photography, he still puts pressure on himself to avoid falling into a state of procrastination.
I believe that when you can still work, you should continue to work, learn and communicate with everyone, especially the younger generation," he said.
When not working, he finds joy in close jobs such as planting trees and gardening. Luffa, cucumbers and vegetables have become jobs that help him maintain movement and have more joy in daily life.
There was a time when I raised chickens and ducks on the 5th floor, then planted plants, from gourds to green vegetables.
Those things do not bring economic efficiency, even if calculated, it is definitely a loss. But every time I climb upstairs, seeing the trees growing, I feel like there is something more to wait for. I think, when there is still hope in people, there is still emotion," Mr. Huyen shared.
At retirement age, he believes it is important not to let age become a barrier to his activities. He tries to maintain youthful thinking, live happily and continue to learn.
Do not consider retirement as the end point
For photographer Vu Huyen, retirement does not mean stopping all activities. Continuing to work, teach, exercise and communicate helps him maintain his familiar rhythm of life.
Regarding finance after retirement, Mr. Vu Huyen said that he currently receives a pension of about 15 million VND/month. Besides the pension, he continues to work, teach and work, so the total average income is about 20-25 million VND/month.
According to him, this income source helps him be proactive in life and after retirement.
From his experience, he believes that comfort in life does not only come from money. He emphasized 3 factors including economic proactiveness, time proactiveness and freedom of thought and professional views.
This is also his way of looking at life after many years in the profession. When he no longer holds management positions, he still maintains his job, takes care of his health and pursues what he loves.
Photographer Vu Huyen's real name is Vu Trung Huyen, born in Hanoi, he used to hold many positions such as Editor-in-Chief of Photography Magazine, Chairman of the Arts Council and Standing Vice Chairman at the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. At the same time, he also had a long period of research and activities in the field of photography and criticism theory.
