afterFI/RE Life after FI/RE
People
Selected life timeline 2018—2023

Gardening replaces the paid day she could not let go

This British parent kept one unwanted working day after early retirement, then gradually accepted that the income was optional. Gardening grew into a daily passion, volunteer contribution and occasional enjoyable paid work, alongside time to support her family.

Finances
Net worth at retirement2018 · Household
Not established

Departure balance not disclosed in the reviewed narrative sources.

Source
Posts2
2018
Post 01Recalled in 2023

Still buying security with a workday

“struggled with turning down money”

FIREthe9to5Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She worked one day each week for a friend’s company.
  • Rental income and the small job covered living costs without investment withdrawals.

How it felt

  • Even a single working day brought the old Sunday dread. “Sunday night feeling”
  • Declining extra income felt difficult despite financial independence. “struggled with turning down money”
FamilyOutdoorsEnough
FI/REthe9to5 (opens in a new tab)
Notes

Explicit retrospective period in later article

So how do I live? First two years recollection

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

2023Year 5
Post 02

A new interest becomes everyday life

“I love my everyday”

FIREthe9to5Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Gardens and an allotment supplied much of the household’s fresh food.
  • She created a hospice kitchen garden and took occasional nursery work.

How it felt

  • She felt more financially secure after several unpredictable years. “I love my everyday”
  • She loved ordinary days and valued being available for family. “I think that’s enough.”
FamilyOutdoorsEnough
FI/REthe9to5 (opens in a new tab)
Notes

Dated author publication describing current life

Gardening and final reflection

Dated author publication describing current life

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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