Thank you for this insightful piece giving us valuable perspectives. Title of your story tells a thousands words. You articulated it beautifully and it resonated with me as a so called semi-retired person. I too had some regrets but turned them opportunities. I summarized my 40 years of experience in a personal story and link here to enhance the meaning of your educative story. https://medium.com/sensible-biohacking-transhumanism/i-wish-i-had-gone-self-employed-40-years-ago-for-three-reasons-7739e5afa150