People

Pablo stopped trading and settled in Lisbon. A partner and daughter changed what he wanted from an independent life.

A large startup exit did not end u/h2m3m’s work habit. He started another company, burned out again and finally stepped away. Later updates trace the harder separation: losing the old professional identity and finding satisfaction in woodworking, teaching, golf and time with his children. By the third-year update, even his LinkedIn profile was gone.

u/AutomaticSquirrel32’s early retirement began with travel, reading, gaming and a modest budget. Three years later, repairs, healthcare, growing children and an expensive new hobby had pushed costs upward. The author remained content and chose a substantial cash buffer, accepting slower gains to make a return to work feel less likely.

Mad Fientist left work, made the album he had dreamed about and became a present parent. Financial independence delivered. The surprise came after those victories: he no longer had a big goal pulling him forward. His decade of updates traces the difficult work of saying no, learning to spend and finding satisfaction after the finish line.

Retiring with four young children made family life the central use of freedom. More than a decade later, school volunteering, shared activities and presence at everyday milestones stood out as the most valued return on leaving work early.

Alex left Meta after reaching his FI/RE target, but open-ended leisure felt aimless. Children changed both his days and his financial needs. Developing his own app offered an alternative to corporate work, with new creative satisfaction and continuing uncertainty.

Retiring in her mid-thirties created space for a toddler, pregnancy and personal interests. A second baby changed the rhythm again. Even with substantial help and an involved partner, she described love for family alongside intellectual restlessness and an unsettled professional identity.

A former CEO’s intended break became retirement once he saw work was optional. More time with his children and improved happiness held up, but five years later he was trying to reduce business commitments that had recreated exhaustion.

Sam Dogen left banking in 2012 and gave writing a scheduled place in his new freedom. More than a decade later, parenting and social commitments kept him constantly occupied, illustrating how the challenge can shift from finding purpose to managing abundance.

A consulting partner used maternity leave to test a different life. Leaving removed the return-to-work deadline, but two small children soon reset her expectations about how much free time retirement would provide.