People

Leif Dahleen left medicine for extended family travel, then the pandemic forced a rethink. A larger home, practical projects, exercise and volunteering filled out the picture as travel resumed. His updates show the value of several satisfying ways to spend a day when the original plan becomes unavailable.

Jed and Kelly left full-time jobs in 2021 after cancer treatment changed their priorities. Their semi-retirement combined travel with blocks of paid work; a year later, they were still refining a sustainable rhythm rather than claiming complete financial independence.

Both left work in late 2021, earlier than they otherwise expected, and began spending more time on preferred activities and loved ones. She welcomed release from constant workplace demands and valued their healthy years together.

u/enfier’s first report from retirement was upbeat and unexpectedly busy. Two years later, a second child and endless household tasks had changed the equation. Returning to paid work promised interesting problems, adult company and money to outsource chores. He saw a redesign, rather than a failed escape.

Working retirement after an earlier retirement experiment · at interview

After trying a conventional retirement, he returned to selected business activities, especially marketing, that he regarded as passion projects. He found working retirement more satisfying than the version he had imagined and tried earlier.

Retired since 2017, he pursued automotive interests and flexible travel with his wife, including visits to several national parks. Looking back, he wished he had given life outside work more attention before retirement.

After two seasonal stays, Jim and Kathy made Mexico their full-time home. Their account describes weighing lower living costs against losing Canadian coverage. Five years later, experience with local care had made that choice feel workable, although it differed from most friends’ preferences.

The retired couple extended their RV travels during the pandemic; he read and played guitar while they considered overseas destinations. He described their travel-focused life enthusiastically, despite needing to revise the timing of the next move.

After retiring in June 2021, he and his wife took up birdwatching and pickleball while pandemic conditions constrained travel. He remained eager for travel and volunteering, but acknowledged that their activities were still restricted.

Deb’s education career ended through redundancy shortly after she turned 56. Within months she was surprised to enjoy retirement; five years later, cycling, book clubs, volunteering and grandchildren filled a life that still carried memories of an unwanted departure.