afterFI/RE Life after FI/RE
People
Selected life timeline 2015—2025

Learning to retire, then learning to leave a beloved project

After moving from Beijing to Vancouver Island, Donna found plenty of travel and family time but still questioned her direction. Nearly a decade later, blogging had created lasting friendships, and a family emergency helped her recognize readiness for another change.

Finances
Net worth at retirement2015-06 · Household
Not established

Departure balance not disclosed in the reviewed narrative sources.

Source
Posts2
2017
Post 01

A busy retirement still raises questions

“Since that stage is about ‘finding stability and routine,’ I think I’ll keep experimenting with what’s out there for a little while longer!”

Donna · Retirement ReflectionsRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Travel and time with friends, family and grandchildren filled many weeks.
  • She and her husband had relocated to Vancouver Island.

How it felt

  • Quiet gaps made her question whether she needed a stronger routine. “Am I still transitioning?”
  • She preferred to keep experimenting rather than declare the transition finished. “keep experimenting”
ChangeFriendsFamily
Donna · Retirement Reflections (opens in a new tab)
Notes

Dated author publication describing current life

Opening and concluding self-assessment

Editorial summaries with short, attributed quotations. The original contains the full story.

2025
Post 02

Closing a chapter with gratitude

“I certainly never anticipated the deep and lasting friendships that would grow here, nor the challenges, adventures, and personal growth that would follow.”

Donna · Retirement ReflectionsRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She paused blogging to support her son after a serious cycling accident.
  • After returning home, she announced the end of regular blog writing.

How it felt

  • She felt grateful for her son’s recovery and support around him. “ready for something new”
  • Unexpectedly deep blogging friendships made the decade feel valuable. “deep and lasting friendships”
ChangeFriendsFamily
Donna · Retirement Reflections (opens in a new tab)
Notes

Dated author publication describing current life

Opening and gratitude reflection

Editorial summaries with short, attributed quotations. The original contains the full story.

See how these posts compare with other people’s experiences.

Research

Last checked Sep 2026. The accounts are self-reported. This timeline follows selected accounts, including recollections where labeled; it is not a complete archive.

  • Only the cited dated experiences are verified; later developments are not inferred.
  • Selected public self-reports, not a complete archive or independent verification of finances.

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