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Explore turning points, everyday joys and unexpected challenges after financial independence or retirement, with the date and original source for each account.

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91–95 of 95 posts

A temporary CFO return clarified the value of her own time

Aug 2014Recalled in 2014

Life at the time

  • Wrote, volunteered and played piano after a thirty-year break.
  • Used home exchanges and helped working friends with meals and repairs.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed the conversation and support around her blog. “it was very fun”
  • Could think of no personal downside to early retirement when asked. “I just can’t think of any.”

Flying and service gave an unexpectedly early exit direction

2014Recalled in 2019

Life at the time

  • An unexpected contract layoff ended full-time office work.
  • Flight training and familiar causes filled some space.

How it felt

  • He initially missed colleagues more than the position. “missed the people”
  • Occasional boredom accompanied the adjustment. “a little bored”

Freedom came easily. Finding nearby friends took more work.

2013Recalled in 2019

Life at the time

  • Unstructured days replaced project-management demands.
  • His wife had already retired; he initially kept his departure private.

How it felt

  • Relief exposed how much stress he had absorbed. “lack of structure”
  • Enjoying solitude was easier than explaining retirement to working friends. “huge relief”

A temporary CFO return clarified the value of her own time

2012Recalled in 2014

Life at the time

  • Accepted a part-time contract CFO role about three years after retiring.
  • After roughly a year, the role brought back responsibilities for others’ problems.

How it felt

  • Initially found the contract enjoyable. “it was really fun”
  • Then felt stressed and remembered wanting control over her time. “a little bit stressed”

Leaving the business lifted a weight. Enough became easier to recognize.

2007Recalled in 2024

Life at the time

  • He sold the engineering business.
  • He helped the new owners part-time for three months.

How it felt

  • Leaving brought relief. “a weight had been lifted”
  • He rediscovered confidence in making major choices. “significant life choices”

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