afterFI/RE Life after FI/RE
Common Questions · Everyday life

Life after financial independence

Why am I still so busy after retirement?

Open time can fill with worthwhile commitments, household needs or the old pressure to finish everything.

The project list can become another source of stress

Trying to finish too much caused stress and sleep problems. Jim learned to slow down and handle projects one at a time.

“I didn’t need to get everything done at once.”

Jim / Route to Retire Dec 2019 · Year 1 Read original by Jim / Route to Retire (opens in a new tab)

Leave space for things you cannot schedule

Doug enjoyed surfing, writing, travel and family. He also found that overcommitting could make chosen activities exhausting, so he valued a less crowded calendar.

“leave blank days on the calendar”

Doug Nordman May 2023 · Year 21 Read original by Doug Nordman (opens in a new tab)

The postponed task list arrives at once

Early full retirement felt hectic with family care and repairs; catching up gradually reduced the strain.

“it’s becoming less stressful.”

ESI Retiree 31 Sep 2021 Interview snapshot · published 2021 Read original by ESI Retiree 31 (opens in a new tab)

Different experiences, drawn from the people in our collection. Summaries are ours; quotations are theirs.

Explore all 38 questions

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