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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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141–150 of 541 posts

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

Jul 2024 · Year 17

“We can do what we wish now”

HariSeldonRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Travel and e-bikes absorbed more spending.
  • They had replaced surplus bedrooms with more usable living space.

How it felt

  • He valued freedom over additional financial risk. “Financial freedom is brilliant”
  • Their resources felt sufficient for what they wanted. “We can do what we wish now”
EnoughSimplicityTravel
HariSeldon
Read original postmonevator.com

Time freedom makes space for recovery and slow travel

Jul 2024

“I’m happy to report that I’m feeling much better the last few weeks.”

Jason · The Next Phase Is NowRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • A lingering leg problem limited walking after his Camino trip.
  • Baking, family celebrations and his podcast remained part of life.

How it felt

  • Physical limitations and slow medical answers had weighed on his mood. “feeling much better”
  • Improvement brought optimism; he valued having space for mental-health work. “It’s a gift”
FreedomTravelPurpose
Jason · The Next Phase Is Now
Read original postthenextphaseisnow.com

He planned more hikes. Retirement also made room for his mother.

Jul 2024 · Year 2

“Retirement is awesome and everyone should do it.”

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

Life at the time

  • Made regular trips to support a mother in assisted living.
  • Continued gym visits, hiking, games and time with a spouse. “I'm continuing to hit the gym every weekday”

How it felt

  • Remained enthusiastic about retirement despite tiring caregiving trips. “Retirement is awesome and everyone should do it.”
  • Kept exercise as a recurring part of everyday life.
FamilyRoutineOutdoors
u/tbrookus
Read original postreddit.com

The layoff ended the waiting. Retirement became an experiment.

Jul 2024 · At departure

“The work environment had become much more stressful and political, and I dreaded coming into work every day.”

u/anonymous_1983Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Received layoff notice and severance after considering leaving a stressful workplace.
  • Planned travel and a kitchen renovation; neither was a completed retirement routine yet.

How it felt

  • Had come to dread going to work. “I dreaded coming into work every day.”
  • Believed he might already have enough money to leave, although the next phase was unsettled. “I think I should already have enough to FI/RE.”
ChangeRecoveryHome
u/anonymous_1983
Read original postreddit.com

Being home is different from being present

Jul 2024Interview snapshot · published 2024-10

“They don’t talk about it much, but balance is about being emotionally present for those you love.”

ESI Millionaire 423Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Newly retired, he spent time managing family finances and prioritized time with his children rather than immediately adopting every planned hobby.

How it felt

  • Leaving work exposed how often his attention had remained at the office even while physically at home. “It is a massive adjustment to step away”
FamilyIdentityChange
ESI Millionaire 423
Read original postesimoney.com

Travel feels fulfilling once spending becomes easier

Jul 2024Interview snapshot · published 2024-11

“My retirement life is fulfilling with travel experiences and family time.”

ESI Millionaire 424Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She filled retirement with RV travel, hiking, family events and daily walks, while still maintaining a home.

How it felt

  • She found the life fulfilling, but recalled needing more than a year to become comfortable spending savings. “switch my brain from saving mode to being able to spend.”
MoneyTravelFamily
ESI Millionaire 424
Read original postesimoney.com

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

Jun 2024

“I think I’ve actually, finally achieved that “next life” I was seeking.”

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

Life at the time

  • Stopped regular blogging and social-media engagement.
  • Completed ten German courses and spent more time on art, gardening and study.

How it felt

  • No longer felt the same need to remain publicly available or relevant. “I barely respond to email.”
  • Felt closer to the life she had wanted, while missing some friends’ updates. “I think I’ve actually, finally achieved that ‘next life’ I was seeking.”
IdentityCreativityCuriosity
Tanja Hester · Our Next Life
Read original postournextlife.com

Five magnificent years gave way to restlessness. A new season needed a new plan.

Jun 2024 · Year 5

“My first five years were indeed magnificent”

David ChampionRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Spent early retirement hiking and climbing.
  • Later used self-study and invented tasks to fill difficult winter periods.

How it felt

  • Remembered the first five years very positively. “My first five years were indeed magnificent”
  • Found that staying busy no longer fully answered his need for direction. “I manufactured ways to stay busy”
PurposeOutdoorsChange
David Champion
Read original postcaniretireyet.com

Leaving police work meant learning to feel secure in a smaller life

Jun 2024Recalled in 2024

“better dad and husband”

ESI Millionaire 219Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Cooking and school transport anchored his days.
  • Occasional protection work restored enjoyable social contact.

How it felt

  • He felt less stressed and more present as a parent. “better dad and husband”
  • Experience made spending on valued activities easier. “right choice”
ParenthoodMoneyWork
ESI Millionaire 219
Read original postesimoney.com

A second retirement, and a new home in Lisbon

Jun 2024Interview snapshot · published 2024-10

“I don’t want to have the biggest bank balance in the cemetery!”

ESI Millionaire 420Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring twice, she moved from the United States to Lisbon and worked on building community while maintaining ties back home.

How it felt

  • She loved being out of work and recognized that habitual underspending could limit what she enjoyed. “I don’t want to have the biggest bank balance in the cemetery!”
HomeFriendsMoney
ESI Millionaire 420
Read original postesimoney.com

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