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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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101–110 of 177 posts

Leaving the always-on director role

Oct 2021Interview snapshot · published 2022-04

Life at the time

  • After a corporate reorganization, he left engineering leadership and devoted attention to investing, while considering more volunteering.

How it felt

  • He welcomed the improved balance and remained open to interesting work rather than declaring every future job off limits. “Though if something interesting comes along I will think about.”

Part-time travel helped a physician find his place at home

Sep 2021

Life at the time

  • In Mexico, he taught and graded his teenagers’ classes.
  • Regular meetups with local and expat families built connections.

How it felt

  • He no longer missed work. “don’t miss work at all”
  • He preferred retirement after finding a place in family life. “prefer retired life”

He had built an organization. Leaving gave him time to look after himself.

Sep 2021 · Year 1

Life at the time

  • Walking, golf and cooking occupied much of his week.
  • He deliberately arranged family calls and activities with friends.

How it felt

  • Mentoring remained satisfying at a smaller scale. “very satisfying”
  • He guarded a relaxed calendar and looked forward to his wife joining him. “a huge relief”

Leaving the military leads straight into family care

Aug 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021-08

Life at the time

  • After a long military career, he became a full-time caregiver for a parent, with daily life centered on those responsibilities.

How it felt

  • He recognized a need for better balance and support, and had not settled a longer-term retirement plan. “I need to join a caregiver support group soon.”

A market shock tested confidence; beach life made the trade worthwhile

Aug 2021Recalled in 2021

Life at the time

  • Life near the beach included longer winter Hawaii trips.
  • Optional consulting supplied intellectual stimulation.

How it felt

  • Monthly withdrawals had finally begun to feel comfortable. “Life is amazing”
  • He valued freedom while sometimes envying former peers’ promotions. “moments of FOMO”

The world tour ended. Teaching gave the quieter life another dimension.

Jul 2021 · Year 3

Life at the time

  • Settled into a suburban home base with outdoor activities and time with his daughter.
  • Took on teaching and a limited remote economist role.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed a more relaxed routine after the earlier travel-heavy years. “It’s just a more relaxed life.”
  • Chose professional activity partly for interest and enjoyment. “I’m doing this mostly for fun.”

Leaving at thirty-four brought room to explore—and discomfort with withdrawals

Jul 2021Recalled in 2021

Life at the time

  • Running became a new hobby.
  • He used summer for family time and exploration.

How it felt

  • Running quieted his mind. “quiet”
  • Withdrawing money felt harder than expected. “harder than I expected”

They left tech together, then discovered two different ways to spend a morning.

Jul 2021Recalled in 2022

Life at the time

  • Both ended software careers earlier than originally planned.
  • They chose a break over another stretch of compensation and stress.

How it felt

  • Leaving professional relationships and technical status was difficult for him. “letting go”
  • They wanted a calmer life together. “a more relaxed life”

Leaving at thirty-four brought room to explore—and discomfort with withdrawals

May 2021Recalled in 2021

Life at the time

  • He quit a long-held controls-engineering job.
  • Investment income replaced most of the household salary.

How it felt

  • He had lost faith in his boss. “lost faith”
  • He was unsure what he wanted to do next. “a bit lost”

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