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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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111–120 of 177 posts

He learned to stop being busy. Then life overturned the plan.

Mar 2021

Life at the time

  • A relationship ended and a health condition disrupted running and familiar routines.
  • Returned to paid work and began a new relationship.

How it felt

  • Found that the original retirement plan no longer matched his circumstances. “My life decided it didn’t want to conform to the plan.”
  • Reported being happy again in a life that had changed shape. “I’m generally happy now.”

Financial independence does not immediately loosen the paycheck habit

Mar 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021-06

Life at the time

  • After leaving a corporate software role and trying financial advice, he moved into a less lucrative public-sector software job.

How it felt

  • Even without needing the income, he found himself unready to abandon regular earnings and preferred the new work's sense of fulfillment. “it seems more fulfilling thus far.”

Freedom arrived first. Meaningful part-time work was still taking shape.

Feb 2021Recalled in 2023

Life at the time

  • A more relaxed routine formed within weeks.
  • Earlier remote work had already accustomed the couple to more time together.

How it felt

  • He welcomed the end of commuting and telework. “joy of not having to commute”
  • His grown children noticed a positive change in him. “changed in a good way”

A modest side hustle supplies a reason for the day

Jan 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021-05

Life at the time

  • In semi-retirement, he kept a side hustle that provided some income and a daily purpose, while enjoying a simple life with his wife.

How it felt

  • He described an excellent balance and happiness in their time together. “enjoying simple things”

He won his freedom—and ran out of goals.

2021 · Year 5

Life at the time

  • Released the album he had wanted to make for years.
  • Reunited with US family and announced plans to stop anniversary updates.

How it felt

  • Recognized that fear of failure, not just employment, had delayed the album. “I was worried I’d fail”
  • Felt exceptional pride in completing it. “it is by far the thing that I’m most proud of”

He kept accepting offers. Real retirement began when he started declining them.

Oct 2020 · Year 6

Life at the time

  • Exercise, home projects and managing family finances gave days shape.
  • He tried volunteering and stopped a teaching role that did not suit him.

How it felt

  • Turning down assignments restored control. “enough is enough”
  • Drawing from savings felt unsettling despite substantial resources. “unsettling mentally”

Retirement, a startup and a calmer division of responsibilities

Oct 2020Recalled in 2021

Life at the time

  • He exited the startup in July, retaining advisory projects.
  • A six-day exercise routine had continued since January.

How it felt

  • He felt less stressed. “a lot lower”
  • The couple had found a comfortable division of roles. “a good balance”

Engineering remains a pleasure after retirement

Sep 2020Interview snapshot · published 2021-02

Life at the time

  • Retired from full-time engineering business demands, he continued teaching and working on selected projects.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed keeping a connection to the firm he had co-founded, primarily for fun even when projects earned income. “Primarily for fun”

He retired. His calendar filled with people who needed him.

Jul 2020

Life at the time

  • Grew and preserved food, volunteered at food banks and handled repairs. “Garden is in full swing.”
  • Faced dental and household expenses during a market downturn.

How it felt

  • Accepted that unexpected bills continued after leaving work. “Life Happens.”
  • Gardening remained an active part of daily life alongside those disruptions.

An uncertain career pause becomes valuable family time

Jul 2020Interview snapshot · published 2020-10

Life at the time

  • Outside his former career, he helped aging parents, spent time with his wife and daughter, and worked on his health.

How it felt

  • He valued this time even while remaining unsure whether to call it retirement or a search for another business. “am I retired, semi-retired, or still looking for the right business?”

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