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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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121–130 of 194 posts

Family freedom survives, but side businesses grow too large

Jun 2021

“Early Retirement is not a holy grail stress reliever…for me at least.”

Accidentally RetiredRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Afternoons included bike rides, hikes and golf with his children.
  • Morning journaling helped him develop a writing habit.

How it felt

  • He did not miss the title or corporate demands. “I don’t miss the title.”
  • Family conflict and money decisions still caused stress alongside greater happiness. “I wouldn’t change it for the world”
ParenthoodFreedomBoundaries
Accidentally Retired
Read original postaccidentallyretired.com

School hours fit one partner better than the other

Jun 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021-07

“As a semi-retired teacher it is great.”

ESI Millionaire 271Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Semi-retired teaching let him share the children's school commute and holidays; his wife's medical job still demanded long hours.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed his schedule while describing their very different workloads and her wish to reduce work later. “I carpool with my kids to school every day”
PartnersFamilyWork
ESI Millionaire 271
Read original postesimoney.com

An involuntary exit opened an active life; a grandchild changed the map

Jun 2021Recalled in 2021

“Having a granddaughter changed everything”

ESI Millionaire 50Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He moved to Idaho and flew backcountry routes.
  • Walking and family visits joined a busy project list.

How it felt

  • He valued improved quality of life. “Almost everything is better”
  • Becoming a grandfather reshaped earlier plans. “Having a granddaughter changed everything”
OutdoorsFamilyHome
ESI Millionaire 50
Read original postesimoney.com

He left pharmacy. The ambition went into running and giving.

May 2021 · Year 4

“I spend more time with my wife just sitting and talking on the porch while we watch the birds.”

u/jasonlong1212Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Ran, participated in bird counts and spent more time at home during the pandemic.
  • Shared unhurried conversations with his wife on the porch. “I spend more time with my wife just sitting and talking on the porch”

How it felt

  • Appreciated ordinary time together.
  • Wanted to spend less time on the internet. “I want to do less internet.”
FamilyOutdoorsSlowing down
u/jasonlong1212
Read original postreddit.com

A quiet home life made room for creativity and care

May 2021

“I try not to think of it as a burden, but some days I just want to escape it all.”

Retired IntrovertRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Made doll clothes and greeting cards; her now-retired husband worked on his own hobbies.
  • Supported her parents through medical care and increasing needs.

How it felt

  • Was grateful retirement made caregiving possible, though some days felt difficult. “some days I just want to escape”
  • Still loved controlling her schedule and letting less important things go. “lack of a schedule”
CreativityFamilySlowing down
Retired Introvert
Read original postretiredintrovert.com

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

May 2021Recalled in 2021

“Lastly, I lost faith in my boss.”

ESI Millionaire 53Read original post (opens in a new tab)

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”
IdentityMoneyParenthood
ESI Millionaire 53
Read original postesimoney.com

She quit her career. Years later, she quit performing retirement.

Mar 2021

“I’ve learned to care a lot less about the approval of others, and I don’t think that’ll ever go back.”

Tanja Hester · Our Next LifeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Wrote another book and established a garden during pandemic isolation.
  • Went without planned travel and ordinary contact with friends and family.

How it felt

  • Became more focused on seeing loved ones than on going somewhere new. “I can’t wait until I can hug my dad.”
  • Felt less need for other people’s approval. “I’ve learned to care a lot less about the approval of others”
FamilyFriendsSimplicity
Tanja Hester · Our Next Life
Read original postournextlife.com

A trial retirement became permanent when family time won.

Mar 2021Journal shared in 2022

“funny that I feel just as busy as when I was working.”

ESI Retiree 34Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He turned down one consulting offer while considering another.
  • A family holiday was free of his usual work calls.

How it felt

  • He did not miss the job itself. “Don’t miss work at all”
  • Explaining his new status to friends felt awkward. “a weird dynamic”
FamilyBoundariesFreedom
ESI Retiree 34
Read original postesimoney.com

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

Feb 2021Recalled in 2023

“Nothing other than the joy of not having to commute or telework anymore.”

ESI Retiree 48Read original post (opens in a new tab)

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”
PurposeFamilyChange
ESI Retiree 48
Read original postesimoney.com

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