End of May Reflections: Still Moving Forward

Well, here we are at the end of May—May 28th, to be exact. Honestly, by all accounts, I should feel disappointed. It’s been a tough year. I started this journey because my Social Security just wasn’t enough to get by. I’ve worked hard, searched for answers, and kept pushing forward. Yet, after all this time, I still haven’t found a steady way to make money online, and I haven’t launched the insurance business I’ve been working toward—mostly because I still haven’t passed the licensing exam. I failed it again recently. That one stung.

But surprisingly, I’m not discouraged. In fact, I’m hopeful.

One of the things that’s kept me going is this blog. Writing it has been therapeutic, and now I’ve turned it into an eBook—part memoir, part survival guide. It’s about my journey, yes, but it’s also about something bigger: how people can prepare for a future where Social Security may not be reliable. If that day ever comes, we all need to be ready with alternative ways to earn income.

I’m also chasing a lifelong dream: writing a science fiction novel. It’s inspired by a show from the 1970s, so I’m holding off on sharing more details until I figure out the legal stuff around publishing. But it’s exciting, and it’s giving me creative energy I haven’t felt in years.

Financially, I’m still in the struggle. But creatively and mentally, I’ve never been more active. Writing, planning, creating—it keeps me focused, and that’s something I’m grateful for.

I’ve realized that getting a traditional job isn’t always the best option—especially for folks my age. Starting a business used to seem impossible, but with the internet, it's more doable than ever. Whether it's blogging, trading, creating content, or anything else, there's a way forward. And while I’m focusing on helping older adults like myself, younger people can benefit too—especially those losing long-term jobs due to layoffs or government cutbacks. Many thought their pensions and job security were guaranteed, only to be left scrambling just before retirement.

I don’t know exactly what’s next for me—maybe insurance, maybe more writing, maybe something I haven’t even considered yet. But I do know that using tools like AI (yes, I’m talking about ChatGPT!) has made a huge difference. I use it every day, and I encourage others to try it too. Not all day, just in short bursts—it helps keep the ideas flowing and the momentum going.

There’s a saying I love: “Small things can grow into big things.” You don’t have to leap straight to something massive. Just stay focused and consistent, and progress will come.

So here’s the good news: my eBook is almost ready. It’s priced at just $4.99, and I’ve poured a lot of heart and effort into it. I truly believe it can encourage and inspire anyone who reads it. You’ll be able to find it soon on Payhip, the platform I discovered thanks to someone else who shared their eBook journey.

I’m also still in touch with a very supportive friend from the employment program I’m part of. She’s been incredibly patient and kind, and I think she understands I’m doing everything I can to build a better future for myself.

So yes, I’ll probably take the insurance test again soon—maybe this week or next. I’m not giving up.

Thank you for following along on this journey. I’ll keep writing here on the blog, and I hope my eBook can be a helpful guide and a source of hope for you or someone you care about.

Take care out there. Stay focused on your future. Make something. Fix something. Write something. Do whatever it takes to keep moving forward.

Talk soon,

—Royce